A.S. Information Technology

A.S. Information Technology Program Information

Available online at Franklin University .

The Information Technology program is offered to students interested in working independently at a business, maintaining established IT systems. The role needed is not wholesale development, but rather the need to keep an organization's IT system running by providing some customization of applications, integrating sub-systems into a whole, and maintaining day to day operations.

The University's curriculum will begin by adding depth into the students' existing IT knowledge and experience. Highlights include gaining knowledge of how to administer Windows Server, Linux, Oracle Database, Firewalls, Cisco switches and routers, IP addressing, WAN, and Wireless LAN. Students will also be introduced to programming languages like Python, Shell, and PowerShell, and will be prepared to build, connect, and manage the systems and devices of major computing platforms.

In addition to these skills, the University will prepare IT students to effectively communicate the student's work to business leadership, stakeholders, end users and others, enabling students to be their own IT champions for everything from daily operational activities to new technologies.

Students in the Information Technology Major are expected to exceed the University's General Technology Requirements and may be required to purchase hardware and/or software with capabilities greater than the standard technology requirements. There will be software requirements such as software development environments, operating systems, virtualization environments and tools, website development, and business process documentation tools that will be used in various courses. Students should be prepared to invest in this software, and be able to install and uninstall it without assistance. Courses with specific hardware and software requirements are detailed in the course syllabus under the "Required Materials" section. To maximize the educational experience, students must have a current model computer (less than 3 years of age). 4 GB RAM minimum (8 GB+ recommended). Broadband access. 80 GB or higher of available hard drive space.

Curriculum & Course Descriptions

64 Semester Hours
Fundamental General Education
English Composition
ENG 120 - College Writing (4)

In this course, students acquire the writing competencies necessary for completing analytical and argumentative papers supported by secondary research. A variety of assignments, beginning with personal reflections, build upon one another, as students develop ideas that respond to, critique, and synthesize the positions of others. Students systematize and organize knowledge in ways that will help them in all their courses. The course also emphasizes the elements of critical reading, effective writing style, appropriate grammar and mechanics, clarity of language, and logical and cohesive development. It culminates in submission of an extended, documented research paper.

Mathematics
MATH 160 - College Algebra (4)

This course is designed to prepare students for Applied Calculus and Discrete Mathematics and to provide the mathematical background needed for the analytic reasoning used in other courses. Topics include functions and their graphs, including exponential and logarithmic functions; complex numbers; systems of equations and inequalities; matrices; basic principles of counting and probability; and other selected topics. Note, this course has proctored exam(s).

Choose MATH 150 Fundamental Algebra as the prerequisite. Course can count as a University elective.

Science

6 credits from the following types of courses:
Two courses from the Science discipline. One course must have a lab component.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

6 credits from the following types of courses:
Choose from the Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology disciplines. Choose courses from two different disciplines to meet degree requirements.

Arts & Humanities
HUMN 211 - Introduction to Critical Ethics (2)

Critical Ethics uses critical thinking to get around the limitations of personal belief and indoctrination to get to what ought to be done and why to improve the human condition. Accordingly, the goal of this course is to help the student improve his/her ethical analysis and evaluation skills to help the student do the thing that must be done, when it ought to be done, using critical thinking.

4 credits from the following types of courses:
Choose from the Art, English Literature, Fine Arts, Humanities, Music, Philosophy, Religion or Theater disciplines.

Additional General Education
PF 121 - Basic Learning Strategies (2)

This course prepares students to be successful lifelong learners both academically and in their chosen careers. Franklin courses require a high level of self-directed learning and focus on the skills required in the workplace and the classroom that are easily transferrable between the two environments. The course includes strategies for time management, goal setting, reading comprehension, and advancing communication skills, including the use of electronic tools to participate in virtual environments.

OR PF 321 - Learning Strategies (2)

This course prepares students to be successful lifelong learners both academically and in their chosen careers. Franklin courses require a high level of self-directed learning and focus on the skills required in the workplace and the classroom that are easily transferable between the two environments. The course includes strategies for advancing communication skills, including the use of electronic tools to participate in virtual environments. The assignments and activities in the course are created to closely simulate teamwork found in the workplace.

COMM 150 - Interpersonal Communication (4)

By using applied critical and creative thinking, students in this course will develop a set of communication skills that will enhance their personal and professional relationships and endeavors. This course will focus on skill development in key areas such as self, perception, listening, verbal messages, conversations, relationships, conflict management, persuasion, and presentation skills.

OR SPCH 100 - Speech Communication (4)

This basic public-speaking course intends to improve the student's ability to think critically and to communicate orally. Theory and practice are provided in various speaking situations. Each student is required to speak before an audience, but class work also involves reading, gathering and organizing information, writing, and listening.

COMM 315 - Communication Ethics (4)

This course examines the strategies involved in effective, ethical communication in professional contexts. Students examine principles of ethical organizational communication and the temporal/cultural/social forces behind those principles, as well as apply reasoning and critical thinking in individual and group assignments. Comparing values and perspectives from diverse cultures, students will respond to cases in an intercultural professional environment.

2 credits from the following types of courses:
Any General Education course at the 100 or 200 level

Major Area Required
COMP 101 - Problem Solving With Computing (2)

Many organizations today utilize computers and information systems to store, organize, analyze, and summarize data to solve problems. As a result, computing is a tool that can benefit students in many different fields. At the heart of solving problems with computers is the study of structured thinking using algorithms. This course is designed for students with no prior programming experience and teaches the building blocks of algorithms, including variables, expressions, selection and repetition structures, functions and parameters, and array processing.

COMP 204 - Principles of Computer Networks (2)

This course serves as an introduction to the function, design, administration, and implementation of computer networks. Topics include network infrastructure, architecture, protocols, applications, and the OSI networking model.

COMP 281 - Database Management Systems (4)

This course, Database Management Systems, covers the fundamental concepts necessary for the design, use, implementation, and administration of database systems. The course will stress the fundamentals of database modeling and design, the languages and facilities provided by database management systems, and some techniques for implementing and administering database systems.

ISEC 200 - Cyber Security Fundamentals (2)

The Internet has changed dramatically, and so have the activities that are dependent on it in some shape or form. Understanding the need for security, its influence on people, businesses and society, as well as business drivers, are critical. The course also covers malicious attacks, threats and vulnerabilities common to the world of security, as well as access controls and methods to assess and respond to risks. Hands-on labs accompany the various concepts that are taught.

ITEC 136 - Principles of Programming (4)

This course introduces programming to individuals with little or no programming background. The goal of this course is to introduce the fundamentals of structured programming, problem solving, algorithm design, and software lifecycle. Topics will include testing, data types, operations, repetition and selection control structures, functions and procedures, arrays, and top down stepwise refinement. Students will design, code, test, debug, and document programs in a relevant programming language.

ITEC 275 - Computer Networks: Switching, Routing, & Wans (4)

This course covers both the design and basic configuration of computer networks. Using Cisco Systems CCDA? certification as a guide, students will learn about the OSI model, network topologies, Wide Area Network (WAN) technologies, wireless LAN, IP addressing, routing protocols, and network security mechanisms. This course also utilizes simulation software to create a small virtual network on the student's personal computer running Windows XP or Vista. This provides the student interactive configuration experience with the Cisco Systems Internetworking Operating System (IOS) in an isolated environment. Note, this course has proctored exam(s).

MIS 200 - Management Information Systems (4)

The purpose of this course is to provide the fundamentals associated with the management of information technology in a business enterprise. These fundamentals are business concepts in which the influence of information technology has caused change or brought about new concepts. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding the managerial issues that are relevant to the usage of computers. The student will be given problems isolating these issues and will be asked to propose solutions with alternatives.

WEBD 101 - Introduction to Web Page Construction (2)

This course presents introductions to many of the basic concepts, issues, and techniques related to designing, developing, and deploying Web sites. During the course, students will learn about Web design, HTML, XHTML, and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Students will learn how to create sites both manually and through the use of Web site development software.

University Electives

2 credits from the following types of courses:
Any undergraduate courses offered by the University except developmental education courses.

Additional Requirements

All students are required to pass College Writing (ENG 120), and either Basic Learning Strategies (PF 121) or Learning Strategies (PF 321) prior to enrolling in any course at the 200 level or above. Students who enroll at Franklin with 30 or fewer hours of transfer credit are required to pass PF 121 Basic Learning Strategies in place of PF 321 Learning Strategies. Interpersonal Communication (COMM 150) or Speech Communication (SPCH 100) must be taken prior to enrolling in any course at the 300 level or above. Students must also meet the University algebra competency requirement.