Part-time & Graduate Enrollment Services
Applied Computer Technology AOS
Program overview
Computers are important to all parts of the economy, and the number of careers that involve work with computers is constantly expanding. Students in the AOS degree program in applied computer technology take courses to prepare them for careers that involve maintaining computer software and hardware, installing and maintaining computer networks, and working with a variety of computer applications.
Program concentrations
Students select a concentration in computer technical support or networking cyber security in their second year.
Computer technical support: This concentration develops skills specific to working with office professionals to solve computer-related problems. These skills prepare students to work at a help desk responding to a client’s computer problems and performing setup, upgrades, and repairs to computers and computer peripherals.
Networking and cyber security: Students in this concentration develop skills specific to network and network security support. The skills include server setup, support and administration, network setup, troubleshooting and repair, identifying and implementing security policies, and installing appropriate hardware and software to support a secure and robust network.
On-the-job responsibilities
Students work as computer technicians, computer support specialists, network technicians, network security technicians, and network administrators.
Places of employment
Graduates can expect to work in a variety of environments, including banks, insurance companies, large stores, manufacturing companies, public utilities, government agencies, health care agencies, hospitals, and many other kinds of departments and businesses that use computers and networks.
Prerequisites
Successful completion of a sampling experience in applied computer technology, either through the Summer Vestibule Program or equivalent career exploration course, is a prerequisite for this major, as are the following:
English: Placement into Career English I (NENG-212) above. Students successfully completing the AOS degree typically enter with reading scores equivalent to 8.0 on the California Reading Test.
Mathematics: Placement into Mathematics in Society (NMTH-140) or a higher-level course. Typically, students entering this major will have completed at least three years of high school mathematics.
Science: Typically, students entering this major will have completed at least two years of high school science.
Curriculum
Applied computer technology (computer technical support concentration), AOS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| NCAR-100 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| NACT-150 | Introduction to PC Hardware | 3 |
| NACT-160 | Networking Essentials | 3 |
| NACT-170 | Introduction to Web Development | 3 |
| NENG-212 | NTID LAS Foundation: Career English I | 3 |
| NTID LAS Foundation: Mathematics† | 3 | |
| NACT-151 | Windows Operating Systems | 3 |
| NACT-161 | Client-Server Networks | 3 |
| NACT-155 | Non-Windows Operating Systems | 3 |
| NENG-213 | NTID LAS Foundation: Career English II | 3 |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| NACT-200 | Help Desk Support | 3 |
| NACT-250 | Computer and Data Security | 3 |
| NACT-230 | Introduction to Programming | 3 |
| NACT-240 | World of Work | 3 |
| NACT-251 | Digital Systems Integration | 3 |
| NACT-252 | Server Management and Security | 3 |
| NACT-235 | Introduction to Database Applications | 3 |
| NTID LAS Perspective‡ | 3 | |
| NACT-299 | Cooperative Education | Co-op |
| Third Year | ||
| NACT-295 | ACT Technical Capstone | 3 |
| Professional/Technical Electives§ | 6 | |
| NTID LAS Perspective‡ | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 64 | |
Please see the NTID General Education Curriculum-Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing associate degrees are required to complete one Wellness course.
† NTID mathematics course NMTH-120 or higher. It is recommended that students take NMTH-140 Mathematics in Society. Students who place above NMTH-140 can take math or a 3-credit course from any non-science perspective category.
‡ NTID LAS Perspective courses may be from any of these three Perspective categories: ASL-Deaf Cultural Studies; Communication, Social & GLobal Awareness; and Creative and Innovative Exploration.
§ ACT program electives include A+ Certification Prep (NACT-255), LAN WAN Design (NACT-260), Network Security (NACT 261), Network+ Certification Prep (NACT-265), Network Defense Technologies (NACT-266), Web Applications (NACT-270), Client-side Scripting (NACT-271). Additional electives from another NTID major can be taken with approval from the ICS Department Chair.
Applied computer technology (networking and cyber security concentration), AOS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| NACT-150 | Introduction to PC Hardware | 3 |
| NACT-160 | Networking Essentials | 3 |
| NACT-170 | Introduction to Web Development | 3 |
| NCAR-100 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| NENG-212 | NTID LAS Foundation: Career English I | 3 |
| NTID LAS Foundation: Mathematics† | 3 | |
| NACT-151 | Windows Operating Systems | 3 |
| NACT-161 | Client-Server Networks | 3 |
| NACT-155 | Non-Windows Operating Systems | 3 |
| NENG-213 | NTID LAS Foundation: Career English II | 3 |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| NACT-200 | Help Desk Support | 3 |
| NACT-260 | LAN WAN Design | 3 |
| NACT-230 | Introduction to Programming | 3 |
| NACT-240 | World of Work | 3 |
| NACT-261 | Network Security | 3 |
| NACT-262 | Fundamentals of Systems Administration | 3 |
| NACT-235 | Introduction to Database Applications | 3 |
| NTID LAS Perspective‡ | 3 | |
| NACT-299 | Cooperative Education | Co-op |
| Third Year | ||
| NACT-295 | ACT Technical Capstone | 3 |
| Professional/Technical Electives§ | 6 | |
| NTID LAS Perspective‡ | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 64 | |
Please see the NTID General Education Curriculum-Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing associate degrees are required to complete one Wellness course.
† NTID mathematics course NMTH-120 or higher. It is recommended that students take NMTH-140 Mathematics in Society. Students who place above NMTH-140 can take math or a 3 credit-course from any non-science perspective category
‡ NTID LAS Perspective courses may be from any of these three Perspective categories: ASL-Deaf Cultural Studies; Communication, Social & GLobal Awareness; and Creative and Innovative Exploration.
§ ACT program electives include Computer and Data Security (NACT-250), Digital Systems Integration (NACT-251), A+ Certification Prep (NACT-255), Network+ Certification Prep (NACT-265), Network Defense Technologies (NACT-266), Web Applications (NACT-270), Client-side Scripting (NACT-271). Additional electives from another NTID major can be taken with approval from the ICS Department Chair.