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Network Specialist - IT Program Code 101502

Associate Degree

Offered at the Green Bay campus. For information: (920) 498-5444. Toll-free: (800) 422-NWTC, ext. 5444.

This program is fully eligible for financial aid.

Network Specialist - IT teaches students to design, install, configure, and maintain computer networks.

Employment Potential

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

Network Support Specialist: designs and configures networks, installs hardware and software components, and maintains network performance.

Network Administrator: develops security procedures, assigns access rights, installs application software, and configures user profiles.

Successful completion of the course work in this program will also prepare a student to pursue vendor certification as a Network Engineer.

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

. Cable Installer
. UNIX Administrator
. PC Support Specialist
. Help Desk Technician
. IS Certifications, such as CNE, MSCE, A+, Network+, and CCNA
. Web Developer
. Network Analyst

Program Outcomes

. Design a local area network (LAN) per specifications.
. Construct a local area network using the required physical components.
. Install network hardware including modems, interface cards, and cabling.
. Create effective user environments using Microsoft and UNIX/LINUX operating systems.
. Install and configure network and desktop operating system software.
. Install and configure application software.
. Design, implement, and maintain a secure network environment.
. Exercise structured problem solving techniques.
. Use word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software appropriately.
. Implement a web-based foundation for E-Business.
. Develop technical documentation for network configuration and security.
. Communicate technical information effectively.
. Assess the impact of emerging technologies.
. Maintain microcomputer hardware and peripherals.
. Implement and configure wide area network (WAN) services.
. Provide network user support.

Requirements for Program Entry

. Completed application.
. High school transcript or equivalent. (For a list of equivalents, please refer to Admissions.)
. Admission assessment or equivalent. (For a list of equivalents, please refer to Assessment.)
. One year of high school algebra or equivalency.
. User level familiarity with one or more computer operating environments.
. Ability to interact with a computer system (keyboarding or assist device).

Note

Critical skills required to be successful in each core program course are listed on the program website. Learners should review this information carefully before enrolling in a course.

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

FIRST SEMESTER
10-103-141 Micro: Access-Intro 1
10-106-145 Keyboarding 1
10-150-163 IT:Network:Cisco 1 3
10-150-174 IT:Network:Client Op Sys 3
10-154-150 IT:Support:Hardware-Intro 3
10-801-195 Written Communication 3
10-804-133 Math & Logic 3
SEMESTER TOTAL 17

SECOND SEMESTER
10-107-194 IT:Documentation 2
10-150-157 IT:Network:UNIX/LINUX-Intro 3
10-150-165 IT:Network:Microsoft Server 1 3
10-150-168 IT:Network:Cisco 2 3
10-801-196 Oral/Interpersonal Comm 3
10-809-195 Economics 3
SEMESTER TOTAL 17

THIRD SEMESTER
10-150-145 IT:Network:Security Fund 3
10-150-186 IT:Network:Microsoft Server 2 4
10-150-188 IT:Network:Applications 4
10-809-172 Race Ethnic & Diversity 3
10-809-199 Psychology Of Human Relations 3
SEMESTER TOTAL 17

FOURTH SEMESTER
10-150-170 IT:Network:Capstone 2
10-150-172 IT:Network:Cisco 3 2
10-150-196 IT:Network:Admin-Adv 4
10-150-198 IT:Network:Internship 3
10-809-166 Intro to Ethics: Theory & App 3
Elective 3
SEMESTER TOTAL 17

TOTAL CREDITS 68

Suggested Electives
IT:Project/Chg Mg 1-MS Project, 10-107-151
IT:Network:Firewall Inst/Conf, 10-150-146
IT:Network:UNIX-Intermediate, 10-150-155
IT:Network:Computer Forensics, 10-150-169
IT:Program:Visual Basic, 10-152-163
IT:Support:Hardware-Advanced, 10-154-158

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

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

10-103-141 MICRO: ACCESS-INTRODUCTION ...creating and modifying database tables, compacting a database, managing records, defining table relationships, creating queries, calculations, and aggregate functions, sorting, and using form and report wizards. Requires Windows experience.

10-106-145 KEYBOARDING ...keyboarding at a personal productivity level, correct posture, touch typing on the alpha-numeric keyboard using an interactive software package running on a microcomputer. No experience required.

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)

10-150-145 IT:NETWORK:SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS ...examine common security vulnerabilities and defenses used to protect network resources. Included is a discussion of security policies, user awareness training, network monitoring, and secure network design.

10-150-157 IT:NETWORK:UNIX/LINUX-INTRO ...an introductory look at Unix/Linux administration and implementation. The learner will install, configure, and administer a Unix/Linux server, populate the system with users/groups, write scripts, and troubleshoot system failures.

10-150-163 IT:NETWORK:CISCO 1 ...cable characteristics and termination, structured cabling systems, OSI reference model, IP addressing and subnetting, network architectures and basic protocols, Ethernet switches, basic router operation and configuration.

10-150-165 IT:NETWORK:MICROSOFT SERVER 1 ...Microsoft Server OS administration and implementation. Learner will install and configure the OS, Active Directory, Group Policies, IIS and security. Exam objectives for the Microsoft's 70-290 exam are addressed.

10-150-168 IT:NETWORK:CISCO 2 ...configuring routing protocols, access control lists, broadcast and collision domains, serial protocols, WAN services, protocol analysis, cellular communications, and Internet access alternatives.

10-150-170 IT:NETWORK:CAPSTONE ...individual case studies to review and consolidate the knowledge and skills gained in previous classes. Course is intended to be taken during the student's last semester. (Prerequisite: 10-150-157, IT:Network:UNIX/LINUX-Intro; 10-150-168; IT:Network:Cisco 2; 10-150-186, IT:Network:Microsoft Server 2;:10-150-188, IT:Network:Applications)

10-150-172 IT:NETWORK:CISCO 3 ...… layer 2 & 3 switching, switch configuration, management and security, configure and manage VLANs, trunking, inter-VLAN routing, access control lists and other advanced Cisco topics.

10-150-174 IT:NETWORK:CLIENT OPERATING SYSTEMS ...basic OS functions; memory, CPU, device/file management techniques, OS installation/configuration; configuration of I/O and storage devices; basic network connectivity; standard system maintenance procedures; command line introduction and batch file writing.

10-150-186 IT:NETWORK:MICROSOFT SERVER 2...remote workstation installation and administration, DHCP, DNS, IPsec, and VPN. Enterprise software deployment, Terminal Services, multi domain management and migration. Administration scripting, performance monitoring, and network security.

10-150-188 IT:NETWORK:APPLICATIONS ...fundamentals of project management, software installation in a network environment, application launching options, application and data security, Groupware applications, Network utility software, and effective user support.

10-150-196 IT:NETWORK:ADMINISTRATION-ADVANCED ...intranet Web site planning, implementation of Web pages using a variety of development tools, introduction to the principles of electronic commerce.

10-150-198 IT:NETWORK:INTERNSHIP ...individual on-the-job training: consulting with users in design, development, testing, debugging, and documentation problems; training in uses of network facilities; and/or configuring and installing network hardware and software. Course should be taken during the last semester.

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.

10-801-195 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.

10-801-196 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.

10-809-172 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. (Prerequisite: Recommendation: Completion of 10-809-196, Introduction to Sociology or 10-809-197, Contemporary American Society prior to this course) 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.

10-809-166 INTRO TO ETHICS: THEORY & APP ...basic understanding of theoretical foundations of ethical thought; analyze/compare relevant issues using diverse ethical perspectives; critically evaluate individual, social/professional standards of behavior--applying a systematic decision-making process. 3 cr.