Computer Support Specialist - IT Program Code 101543

Employment Potential

A graduate of the program will have the potential for employment in the following areas:

IT Consultant: provides one-on-one problem solving for users.

Help Desk/Support Specialist: develops customized user menus, installs software packages, administers networks, and is a support technician for software packages.

PC Programmer: performs detailed program design, coding, testing, debugging, documentation, and implementation of online or interactive systems.

Computer Sales Representative: makes customer calls, establishes customer contacts, identifies customer needs, and prepares proposals.

IT Trainer: trains employees on software packages which enable the user to solve problems on an individual basis.

Network Assistant: helps to configure networks, installs hardware and software, and trains users.

Desktop Application Developer: provides for the development, testing, implementation, documentation, and support of customized desktop applications.

PC Repair Technician: maintains and repairs hardware components of desktop computers, network servers and devices, and peripheral equipment including printers and scanners.

With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find other opportunities for employment.

. Network Administrator
. Database Administrator
. Internet Site Administrator
. Hardware Technician
. IT Department Supervisor

Program Outcomes

. Develop attractive and effective slide shows using PowerPoint presentation software.
. Develop professional letters and reports using Word document processing software.
. Develop professional and user-friendly spreadsheets using Excel spreadsheet software.
. Develop business applications which integrate and share different types of files or objects.
. Automate application software operations via macros and VBA programming techniques.
. Develop relational database applications using database management software.
. Design a normalized database.
. Develop attractive and effective Web pages using HTML coding techniques.
. Develop functional Web pages that automate operations using Java Script programming techniques.
. Install, configure, and maintain computer hardware and peripherals.
. Troubleshoot and repair computer hardware and operating systems problems.
. Develop computer programs to perform common business functions using the Visual BASIC programming language.
. Perform basic computer system functions and operations using the command line and shell scripts.
. Configure and administer common microcomputer operating systems.
. Automate Windows operations using common operating system scripting languages.
. Perform common help desk and end-user support functions using current technologies and protocols.
. Plan and conduct computer training sessions using appropriate technologies and delivery methods.
. Develop effective lesson plans, training materials, and assessment tools to support technical presentations.
. Develop technical documentation and "help" resources to support the use of computer facilities and services.
. Apply job seeking skills to secure employment in the computer field.

Requirements for Program Entry

. Completed application.
. High school transcript or equivalent. (For a list of equivalents, go to www.nwtc.edu/gettingstarted.)
. One year of high school algebra completed.
. Ability to use computer keyboard and mouse.
. As a requirement for program entry, an Academic Skills Assessment (Accuplacer) with appropriate benchmark scores is necessary. Admission Benchmarks are: Reading Comprehension: 55; Arithmetic: 34; Sentence Skills: 60. However, we recommend a student receive the following scores to be successful in this program. Reading Comprehension: 95; Arithmetic: 66; Sentence Skills: 89; Algebra: 86. Remediation options are available to reach recommended scores. Equivalent assessment scores are acceptable. To learn more about these assessments and program benchmark scores, please contact a Counselor (920) 498-5444 or (888) 385-6982.

Curriculum

The Computer Support Specialist - IT Associate Degree is a two-year, four-semester program. Upon graduation, a student will have completed 68 credits.

FIRST SEMESTER

SECOND SEMESTER

THIRD SEMESTER

FOURTH SEMESTER

Curriculum Note
A student desiring a strong financial background or a student planning to double major in Accounting is advised to substitute the four credit Accounting 1 (10-101-110) for the three-credit Accounting for Non-Accountants (10-101-106). To discuss this further, please contact an NWTC counselor or advisor.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

These courses provide an opportunity for students to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding required for employment in this field.

10-101-106 ACCOUNTING: INTRO FOR NON-ACCOUNTANTS ...Teaching non-accountants to read, analyze, and interpret financial information for making informed business decisions. This class de-emphasizes the use of debits, credits, journal entries and other accounting procedures.

10-102-100 BUS AND INFO TECH OCCUP PREP ...career exploration, self exploration, career planning, career placement, job seeking skills.

10-102-158 BUSINESS-INTRODUCTION ...organization/management process of human resources, production, operations, marketing, distribution, and finances; risk management; ethics/legalistic management; international business; accounting, computers, and data processing.

10-107-194 IT:DOCUMENTATION ...students plan documentation content and delivery methods; develop online, context sensitive, and written documentation, become familiar with ISO 9000 standards, package PDF files, and create compiled help modules. (Prerequisite: 10-801-195, Communication-Written or equivalent)

10-107-195 IT:TRAINING ...effective presentation skills, plan training content and delivery methods, write lesson plans, provide training materials, conduct training sessions, and assess learners' grasp of stated objectives. (Prerequisites: 10-154-160, IT:Support:Software-Intro AND 10-154-150, IT:Support:Hardware-Intro)

10-150-144 IT:NETWORK:OPERATING SYSTEM FUNDAMENTALS ...installation of Windows client, Windows Server and Linux Server operating systems. Basic networking topologies and protocol fundamentals. Application installation including Simple Mail Transport Protocol, File Transfer Protocol, and Web server technologies.

10-152-163 IT:PROGRAM:VISUAL BASIC ...introduction to programming using the Visual Basic.NET programming language. Program definition and design, form design, and the coding, testing, and debugging of programs are covered.

10-154-150 IT:SUPPORT:HARDWARE-INTRO ...computer/network terminology, component identification, POST, computer/peripheral/printer maintenance, system boards, memory systems, FAT vs. NTFS, operating system/network installations/configurations, internet research, troubleshooting, command line.

10-154-152 IT:SUPPORT:OPERATING SYSTEMS ...explain the role of the microcomputer operating system, implement operating system communications and networking components, perform standard operating system maintenance, and recognize current server and infrastructure device operating systems. (Prerequisite: 10-154-150, IT:Support:Hardware-Intro)

10-154-158 IT:SUPPORT:HARDWARE-ADVANCED ...advanced micro hardware and operating system configuration and maintenance; disk storage configuration; Windows registry, virus and component troubleshooting, diagnosis, upgrades and repair. (Prerequisites: 10-154-150, IT:Support:Hardware-Intro AND 10-154-152, IT:Support:Operating Systems)

10-154-159 IT:SUPPORT:SCRIPTING ...introduction to Windows scripting languages and programming techniques. Scripting methodologies will include Windows shell scripts and Windows Script Hosting using VBScript. (Prerequisite: 10-152-163, IT:Support:Visual Basic or experience using a programming language)

10-154-160 IT:SUPPORT:SOFTWARE-INTRO ...an introductory course for the Computer Support Specialist program and covers the fundamental capabilities and functions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Email correspondence, Internet search engines, and file compression.

10-154-161 IT:SUPPORT:DATABASE THEORY ...fundamentals of database design and administration, including normalization, design methodology, SQL, integrity rules, database management functions and approaches.

10-154-171 IT:SUPPORT:INTEGRATION-VBA ...using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) to automate operations primarily within the Microsoft Excel object model; integration of other Microsoft Office applications/objects; fundamental programming constructs and data manipulations. (Prerequisites: 10-154-160, IT:Support:Software-Intro; 10-152-163, IT:Program:Visual Basic)

10-154-172 IT:SUPPORT:DATABASE APPLICATION ...database management and application development including design, automation, and use of relational database management systems. (Prerequisite: 10-154-161, IT:Support:Database Theory)

10-154-180 IT:SUPPORT:WEB TECHNIQUES ...web design using HTML and JavaScript. (Prerequisite: 10-152-163, IT:Program:Visual Basic AND 10-154-159, IT:Support:Scripting)

10-154-190 IT:SUPPORT:HELP DESK/END USER SUPPORT ...describe the role of the help desk in technology support, use terminology, processes, and tools, and demonstrate the use of business, technical, communication, and self-management skills required for help desk support professionals.

10-154-199 IT:SUPPORT: INTERN PRACTICUM ...practical hands-on experience applying skills developed in the program at an approved site with supervision by an employer and the instructor with related projects and discussion. (Pre/Corequisite: 10-102-100, Bus and Info Tech Occup Prep)

10-801-195 WRITTEN COMMUNICATION ...the nature and scope of academic and business writing. Develops writing skills which include pre-writing, drafting, revising, and editing. A variety of writing assignments are designed to help the learner analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas, and format and design documents based on subject matter and content. Also develops critical reading and thinking skills through the analysis of a variety of written documents. 3 cr.

10-804-133 MATH & LOGIC ...students will apply mathematical problem solving techniques. Topics will include symbolic logic, sets, algebra, Boolean algebra, and number bases. (Prerequisite: Recommendation:Accuplacer Algebra Test = 61) 3 cr.

10-801-197 TECHNICAL REPORTING ...principles of report writing and correspondence, proposals, feasibility reports, progress reports, investigation reports, evaluation reports, meeting reports, memos, and correspondence. (Prerequisite: 10-801-195, Written Communication) 3 cr.

10-809-172 RACE ETHNIC & DIVERSITY ...basic American values of justice and equality by teaching vocabulary, history of immigration/conquest, transcultural communication, legal liability, multicultural majority/minority relations, ageism, sexism, gender, sexual orientation, the disabled/ADA. 3 cr.

10-801-196 ORAL/INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION ...the communication process, perception and self-concept, language, listening, nonverbal communication, interpersonal relationships, communication in groups and public communication; prepare and deliver an oral presentation. 3 cr.

10-809-195 ECONOMICS ...scarcity, resources, alternative economic systems, growth, supply and demand, monetary and fiscal policy, inflation, unemployment, and global economic issues. 3 cr.

10-809-199 PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMAN RELATIONS ...decision making, motivation, conflict resolution, learning strategies, growth and adjustment, diversity, psychological theories, relationships, psychological disorders, stress, career analysis, social psychology, and lifespan development. 3 cr.