Information Technologies and Network Systems (Associate)

Information Technologies and Network Systems Training in 2 Years*

Motivated to earn and provide more for your family, feel valued and respected at work, and make use of your computer skills? Develop the knowledge to offer technical assistance about computer hardware and software, and learn to perform maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.

Prepare with Laurus to take the CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ exams, to get the industry-leading credentials for IT professionals. Develop the knowledge you’ll need to offer technical assistance with computer hardware and software, and learn to perform maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.

This program also provides students with the opportunity to effectively use information resources, conduct intellectual research, and communicate scientific knowledge based on today’s technology requirements.

*Program length when completed in normal time

The goal of this Associate Degree program is to help students develop the technical skills needed for pursuing a successful career as an IT professional. This program covers fundamental and advanced skill development in a variety of IT related areas, while also providing the knowledge to successfully apply information technology theory and principles to address real world business opportunities and challenges.

Students in this course are exposed to basic issues in starting a business. Topics may include capitalization, staffing, subcontracting, permits, facilities, and basic business planning. The course offers students practical exercises to begin strategic development of a business and offers practical problems and issues in the startup phase of building a successful organization.
Credits: 5

This course prepares students to develop and implement project plans when working to complete assigned projects. Topics in this course may include defining project goals and objectives, specifying tasks or how goals will be achieved, establishing needed resources for project completion, and associating budgets and completion timelines. Students study the major phases of project management including project feasibility, planning, implementation, evaluation, and support. Project management software will be used by students to gain an understanding of how to best organize and delegate their project. Students gain an understanding of how to manage projects and how these skills may be applied to an individual project or a group project.
Credits: 5

This course serves as an introduction to the necessary core skills needed to be successful at an academic, professional and personal level. Students will identify core skills, values and interest to assist in their path to success. Topics covered in this course may include time management, effective study skills, written and oral communication, improving critical thinking to enhance problem-solving skills. Other topics may include job search techniques and job etiquette, and on-the-job behavior. Students will work towards building their professional development through various assignments and topics throughout the course. Students will explore Laurus College resources for success inside and outside the classroom.
Credits: 5

English provides students with the basic rhetorical foundations to prepare them for the demands of academic and professional writing. Students in this course will learn and practice the strategies and processes that successful writers employ when communicating information. These strategies include reading analytically and strategically, improving reading comprehension, writing persuasively, writing for investigative purposes, problem-resolution, evaluation, explanation, and refutation.
Credits: 5

English provides students with the basic research foundations and skills to prepare them for the demands of academic and professional writing. Students in this course will learn and practice the strategies and processes that successful writers employ when researching topics and information to prepare reports and arguments. The course will culminate with a written research paper and the presentation of the student’s research for peer response.
Credits: 5

This course introduces tools used by sociologists to explore and understand society. Social relationships, social structures and processes are explored.
Credits: 5

Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes. In this class, students will dive into what makes themselves and others behave the way they do. Topics covered in this class include Neuroscience, Sensation and Perception, Learning, Memory, Thinking and Intelligence, Developmental Psychology, Personality Theories and Assessment, Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Workplace Psychology. This class will be focused more on behavior as it pertains to the workplace rather than the clinical side of Psychology.
Credits: 5

Students begin learning about computer hardware and each item that makes up a computer. Students build the skills needed for proper file management, and learn to troubleshoot basic problems that may occur during computer usage. Students study the system board in depth, learning about components, as well as, their functions. Other topics covered may include computer memory, different operating systems, floppy drives, and hard drives. Students also work with computer power supplies, learning how to measure output and proper removal and replacement of power supply units. Students learn to handle several system types and troubleshoot various computer hardware issues.
Credits: 5

Students study how to properly set up and install hard drives, as well as techniques for proper troubleshooting and data recovery. Students examine how to protect the hardware and software of a computer while troubleshooting, and how to properly use tool kits and troubleshooting reference guides while isolating and repairing a number of computer problems. Other topics studied may include ports and expansion slots for add-on devices, SCSI devices, keyboards, pointing devices, multimedia technology, monitoring system performance, and support devices. Students install and study about supporting applications with various operating systems
Credits: 5

Students in this course study operating systems designed specifically for networking, as well as the differences between various operating systems. Students install and customize operating systems, utilize system registries and diagnostic tools, and troubleshoot problems that typically arise in various systems. Other topics studied may include communication over the internet, browsing the World Wide Web, utilizing email, transferring files, communication over phone lines, and modems.
Credits: 5

Students study the basic principles of networking and networking concepts, as well as discover different types of network architectures and learn about various networking software and protocols. Students learn about many of the computer and printer problems that commonly occur in the workplace, and how to effectively troubleshoot and fix those problems. Students discover proper maintenance techniques for computers and printers in an office setting. Also discussed in this course are proper disaster recovery and maintenance plans for computers, how to create system backups, and viruses and other computer infestations.
Credits: 5

Starting with an introduction to networks students gain an understanding about communication services, mail services, and management services. Students study networking standards and models, and study the various layers making up networking as a whole. Students gain an understanding of different network protocols, and their functions. Students explore networking media and learn to install protocols on various operating systems. They examine the difference between LANs and WANs, and the transport systems that serve them both. Other topics covered may include installing NICs in computers and configuring them for various types of networks. Network hardware such as hubs, repeaters, bridges, and routers may also be examined in this course.
Credits: 5

Network Administrators must understand a variety of key networking concepts and technology that include storage, network architecture, Voice over IP implementation, and server consolidation. In this course students come to understand the common causes and high costs of service outages, how to measure high network availability, how to design a data center and explore what must be considered with consolidating resources.
Credits: 5

Students in this course examine the essentials of a WAN, and learn how one is implemented and how remote connectivity is established. Students gain understanding of various network operating systems and how they are similar or may differ from one another. Students gain an understanding for how to establish users, groups, and rights in a networking system.
Credits: 5

In this course, students learn to plan, control, and manage the deployment of a network system. It will encompass documentation, operating system application governed by the system role. Students work with GUI (Graphical User Interface) based applications as well as the CLI (command-line interface) to accomplish tasks. GUI and CLI applications include Windows PE (Pre-installation Environment), Microsoft Visio, WDS (Windows Deployment Services), AD DS (Active Directory Domain Services), MDT (Microsoft Deployment Toolkit), and Windows AIK (Automated Installation Kit).
Credits: 5

Network System Services provide the structure for authenticating and authorizing users in the work place. This course prepares students to manage and administer these services in a Windows Domain environment. Topics include Active Directory, Group Policy, File Services, DNS, Remote Access Management, Server Management, and many other supporting services.
Credits: 5

Students are introduced to core database concepts, objects, data manipulation, storage structures, and administering a database. This course includes skills that prepare students to design, manage, and secure relational databases and an understanding of structured query language.
Credits: 5

Students combine acquired skills from previous courses to capitalize in the process of IT and Computer Networking management. They plan, coordinate, document, and direct computer and network related projects within sets of scenario guidelines. Students will learn to project, set achievable business goals, and align projects to reach those goals.
Credits: 5

This class will increase your understanding of potential threats, learn how to apply practical mitigation options, and react to attacks quickly. The class teaches you the skills and knowledge you need to design, develop, implement, analyze, and maintain networks and network protocols. It explains how these systems currently operate and the limitations that lead to security weaknesses. Topics covered in this course may include the fundamental issues needed to understand network security, the definition of security terms, security ethics, the OSI network model, and cryptography for networks. Students may explore the common risks for secure network design and development, including the impact of modularity on security and a summary of the general security issues.
Credits: 5

This course provides students with a conceptual understanding of algebra by using problem solving applications in context to real-world application. Students will integrate meaningful applications with relevant data, graphs, tables, charts, colors, and diagrams.
Credits: 5

* General Education Course

Where You Could Be After Completing This Program

Information Technologies and Network Systems professionals provide technical assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software as well as perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption. They may also plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

Grads with Information Technologies and Network Systems training may find employment in a wide range of interesting and rewarding positions, including:

Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Computer Systems Analyst
Database Administrator
Information Technology Consultant
Information Security Analyst
Network Support Specialist
Computer User Support Specialist
...and more!

Career Opportunities

The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system is used by Federal statistical agencies to classify workers into occupational categories for the purpose of collecting, calculating, or disseminating data. The Information Technologies and Network Systems, Associate of Science Degree (A.S.) program offered at Laurus College can help prepare graduates for a variety of careers that include, but are not limited to the list of careers that may be listed under the following SOC codes (for more information on a particular SOC code, visit www.onetonline.org).

With so many professional opportunities available to people with the right qualifications, Laurus can prepare you for a career that will take you to that next level in life.

Meet the Information Technology Systems Management Faculty

Laurence Butler

Instructor

Michael Courter

Director

Shamikka Chalmers

Instructor

Songpol Sangwanphanit

Instructor

Steven Marshall

Instructor

Tedi Jones

Instructor

Vance W. Vorathavorn

Instructor

William Hicks

Instructor

Is a Rewarding Career as an IT Professional Right for You?

For immediate questions, call 805-267-1690

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As part of the curriculum, students will have the opportunity to develop skills in:

Operating System Fundamentals
Administering Computers and Devices
Technical Certifications
Network Administration
Database Management
Information Systems Management
Information Security Foundations
Network Deployment
TCP/IP and Subnetting
Software Deployment
Cyber Security
Web Server Administration
Enterprise Communication
Cloud Computing

Is a Career in Information Technology Right for You? Find Out!

Take the "Laurus College Information Technology Training Readiness Quiz"

This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you'll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.

Take the Quiz

Learning Goals

Upon completion of the Information Technologies and Network Systems Associate of Science degree, students should be able to:

Demonstrate proficiency with a LAN and WAN networking systems.
Design and construct virtual environments.
Demonstrate proficiency in routing and switching.
Plan and develop relational databases.
Analyze network security and understand how it is maintained and implemented in an organization.
Identify tools, diagnostic procedures, and troubleshooting techniques for personal computers, laptops, peripherals, and operating systems.

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Program Information

Program Length

The Visual Design and Multimedia, Associate of Science Degree (A.S.) program is 100 quarter credits and can be completed in two (2) years if the student attends all terms consecutively.

Instructional Methods

The Visual Design and Multimedia, Associate of Science Degree (A.S.) program is practical application and involves intense online interactive learning. All classes are lecture based with learning activities and practical application laboratory for students to enhance their skills and abilities. Interactive virtual classrooms are part of the instructional process at Laurus College. Instruction may be supplemented with guest speakers in class.

Communication and Critical Thinking Skills

Students in the Visual Design and Multimedia, Associate of Science Degree (A.S.) program complete challenging projects and assignments by using creative problem solving skills. Students communicate ideas through written and oral presentations in various courses throughout the program.

Completion Requirements

Students wishing to obtain the Visual Design and Multimedia, Associate of Science Degree (A.S.) from Laurus College need to meet all program completion requirements. Students must have completed a minimum of 100 quarter credits, and be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better to be eligible for the Visual Design and Multimedia, Associate of Science Degree (A.S.).

Information Technologies and Network Systems

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Information Technologies and Network Systems Training in 2 Years*

Information Technology Courses

Where You Could Be After Completing This Program

Career Opportunities