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Computer Information Technology: Application Development, Associate in Applied Science

Overview

Northampton's Computer Information Technology program prepares you for employment upon graduation. The first year of the program is designed to provide a strong foundation in basic PC applications, operating systems and client-side scripting. You can then choose from several options for specialization, depending upon your area of interest.

The associate's degree in Computer Information Technology may be completed in two years of full-time study with day and evening classes, or in three or four years of part-time study. If you wish, you can also complete multiple specializations. For example a student can complete both the networking and security options. Doing so will add an additional one year of full time study. In this example, a student will finish with two associate's degrees. The program also offers a specialized diploma for those students who may already have college degrees but are now seeking to retrain for the Information Technology workforce.

Narrative

The Application Development option provides the educational foundation you need to build proficiency with computer equipment, operating systems, productivity software, and programming languages, as well as skills necessary for web development such as client-side and server-side scripting and web server administration. The first year of the program is designed to provide a strong foundation in basic PC applications, operating systems and client-side scripting. In the second year you will learn additional languages, server-side scripting, web server administration and database systems. In addition, the second year of study includes object-oriented programming and development of Windows applications.

Completion of this program prepares you for entry-level web developer, programmer and database programmer positions. Depending on your plans and available time, you can complete this program in two years of full-time study with day and evening classes, or in three or four years of part-time study.

Career Potential: Entry Level Programmer, Entry Level Database Programmer, Software Developer, Web Developer, Web Administrator

Outcomes

Graduates of the program will:

  • Gain fundamental and comprehensive understanding of the current field of computing upon which future growth within the field can be realized.
  • Gain computer competencies necessary to compete in the business world.
  • Use critical thinking to evaluate computing problems and explore options for their solutions.
  • Use effective approaches for problem solving and data modeling.
  • Gain experience in solving problems related to business computing and implementing these solutions.
  • Develop awareness of the ethical concerns of computing professionals.

Courses

First Semester

COLS101College Success

1 credits

CISC100Computer Technology I

4 credits

CMTH102Introduction to Communication

3 credits

ENGL101English I

3 credits

MATH
Mathematics Elective (QL) +

3 credits

General Education Elective

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:17

Second Semester

CISC104Microcomputer Applications

4 credits

CISC105Desktop Operating Systems

4 credits

CISC128Client-side Scripting

4 credits

 

ENGL151LEnglish II

3 credits

OR

ENGL151REnglish II

3 credits

OR

ENGL151TEnglish II

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:15

ENGL151: *see note

Third Semester

BUSA221GBusiness Communications

3 credits

CISC257Server-side Scripting

4 credits

CISC270Database Systems

4 credits

CISC278Web Server Administration

4 credits

General Education Elective

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:18

Fourth Semester

CISC208Mobile Development

4 credits

CISC150Object-oriented Programming

4 credits

General Education Elective

3 credits

Elective

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:14

Total Credit Hours: 64

* Students have a choice of ENGL151L (Literature option), ENGL151R (Report Writing) or ENGL151T (Technical Writing). Contact your advisor for guidance.

+ Mathematics Elective options: MATH140, MATH145, MATH150, MATH160, MATH165, MATH175, MATH176, MATH180, MATH181, MATH202, MATH210, MATH211

  • For the General Education Electives, students must take three courses from at least two of the following areas: Arts & Humanities (AH); Social Science: Society and Institutions over Time (SIT) or Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior (SSHB).
  • One course should be designated as Diversity and Global Awareness (D).
  • Completion of BUSA221G satisfies the Writing Intensive (WI) requirement.