Information Technology: Information Systems A.A.S. - Programming Pathway

Information Systems
Program Code: A25590IS

Information Technology: Information Systems A.A.S. - Programming Pathway

The Information Systems curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for employment with organizations that use computers to process, manage, and communicate information. This is a flexible curriculum that can be customized to meet community information system needs.

Course work will develop a student’s ability to communicate complex technical issues related to computer hardware, software, and networks in a manner that computer users can understand. Classes cover computer operations and terminology, operating systems, databases, networking, security, and technical support.

Graduates should qualify for employment in entry-level positions with businesses, educational systems, and governmental agencies that rely on computer systems to manage information. Graduates should be prepared to sit for industry-recognized certification exams.

The Programming Pathway provides students with the opportunity to focus on computer programming.

Specific Requirements

  1. General college admission requirements must be met.
  2. Transfer credit will not be accepted for CTS-135, CTS-285, or CTS-289.

 

Courses requiring a grade of “C” or better: ACA, CIS, CSC, CTI, CTS, DBA, GIS, NOS, WBL, and WEB

Course credit to be given for specific industry certifications.

Courses in this program

Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course provides an orientation to the campus resources and academic skills necessary to achieve educational objectives. Emphasis is placed on an exploration of facilities and services, study skills, library skills, self-assessment, wellness, goal-setting, and critical thinking. Upon completion, students should be able to manage their learning experiences to successfully meet educational goals.

This course introduces computer concepts, including fundamental functions and operations of the computer. Topics include the identification of hardware components, basic computer operations, security issues, and use of software applications. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of computers and use the computer to solve problems. Microsoft Office will be used in this course; this includes Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.

This course covers the introduction of the tools and resources available to students in programming, mark-up language, and services on the Internet. Topics include standard mark-up language Internet services, creating web pages, using search engines, file transfer programs; and database design and creation with DBMS products. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of programming tools, deploy a web-site with mark-up tools, and create a simple database table.

This course introduces students to the Network concepts, including networking terminology and protocols, local and wide area networks, and network standards. Emphasis is placed on securing information systems and the various implementation policies. Upon completion, students should be able to perform basic tasks related to networking mathematics, terminology, media, and protocols.

This course is designed to develop the ability to produce clear writing in a variety of genres and formats using a recursive process. Emphasis includes inquiry, analysis, effective use of rhetorical strategies, thesis development, audience awareness, and revision. Upon completion, students should be able to produce unified, coherent, well-developed essays using standard written English. This is a Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) course that satisfies English Composition.

This course introduces students to a broad range of operating system concepts, including installation and maintenance. Emphasis is placed on operating system concepts, management, maintenance, and resources required. Upon completion of this course, students will have an understanding of OS concepts, installation, management, maintenance, using a variety of operating systems. The course will include file management and simple user creation under at least two operating systems.

Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course covers repairing, servicing, and upgrading computers and peripherals in preparation for industry certification. Topics include CPU/memory/bus identification, disk subsystems, hardware/software installation/configuration, common device drivers, data recovery, system maintenance, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to safely repair and/or upgrade computer systems to perform within specifications.

This course instructs students in the Windows or Linux based program suites for word processing, spreadsheet, database, personal information manager, and presentation software. This course prepares students for introductory level skills in database, spreadsheet, personal information manager, word processing, and presentation applications to utilize data sharing. Upon completion, students should be able to design and integrate data at an introductory level to produce documents using multiple technologies.

This course is designed to develop SQL programming proficiency. Emphasis is placed on data definition, data manipulation, and data control statements as well as on report generation. Upon completion, students should be able to write programs which create, update and produce reports.

This course provides an activity-based approach that develops measurement skills and mathematical literacy using technology to solve problems for non-math intensive programs. Topics include unit conversions and estimation within a variety of measurement systems; ratio and proportion; basic geometric concepts; financial literacy; and statistics including measures of central tendency, dispersion, and charting of data.  Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the use of mathematics and technology to solve practical problems and to analyze and communicate results. 

This course introduces operating system concepts for single-user systems. Topics include hardware management, file and memory management, system configuration/optimization, and utilities. Upon completion, students should be able to perform operating systems functions at the support level in a single-user environment.

Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course introduces computer programming and problem-solving in a structured program logic environment. Topics include language syntax, data types, program organization, problem-solving methods, algorithm design, and logic control structures. Upon completion, students should be able to use top-down algorithm design and implement algorithmic solutions in a programming language. This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA as a general education course in Mathematics (Quantitative).

The course introduces the role of IT in managing business processes and the need for business processes and IT alignment. Emphasis is placed on the industry need for understanding business challenges and developing/managing information systems to contribute to the decision-making process based on these challenges. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the ‘hybrid business manager’ and the potential offered by new technology and systems. Students will acquire the skills to prepare themselves and their work for a career in the information technology field.

This course covers database administration issues and distributed database concepts. Topics include database administrator (DBA) goals and functions, backup and recovery, standards and procedures, training, and database security and performance evaluations. Upon completion, students should be able to produce functional DBA documentation and administer a database.

Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course provides instruction and experience in preparation and delivery of speeches within a public setting and group discussion. Emphasis is placed on research, preparation, delivery, and evaluation of informative, persuasive, and special occasion public speaking. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare and deliver well-organized speeches and participate in a group discussion with appropriate audiovisual support. This is a Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) course that satisfies Communication.

This course introduces computer training and support techniques. Topics include methods of adult learning, training design, delivery, and evaluation, creating documentation, and user support methods. Upon completion, students should be able to design and implement training and provide continued support for computer users.

This course introduces computer programming using the JAVA programming language with object-oriented programming principles. Emphasis is placed on event-driven programming methods, including creating and manipulating objects, classes, and using object-oriented tools such as the class debugger. This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA as a pre-major and/or elective course requirement.

This course provides an introduction to web development software suites. Topics include the creation of web sites and applets using web development software. Upon completion, students should be able to create entire web sites and supporting applets.

WBL 212/WBL 215 is an approved substitution. See advisor for details.

See your advisor for General Education substitutes.

Curriculum is based on the 2022-23 catalog.

Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course introduces the origins and historical development of art. Emphasis is placed on the relationship of design principles to various art forms including but not limited to sculpture, painting, and architecture. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and analyze a variety of artistic styles, periods, and media. This is a Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) course that satisfies Humanities/Fine Arts.

This course introduces computer programming using the Python programming language. Emphasis is placed on common algorithms and programming principles utilizing the standard library distributed with Python. Upon completion, students should be able to design, code, test, and debug Python language programs.

This course provides an opportunity to complete a significant support project with minimal instructor assistance. Emphasis is placed on written and oral communication skills, project definition, documentation, installation, testing, presentation, and user training. Upon completion, students should be able to complete a project from the definition phase through implementation.

This course introduces the hardware and software components of a Geographic Information System and reviews GIS applications. Topics include data structures and basic functions, methods of data capture and sources of data, and the nature and characteristics of spatial data and objects. Upon completion, students should be able to identify GIS hardware components, typical operations, products/applications, and differences between database models and between raster and vector systems. The ESRI software used in the course only works in a Windows environment.

This course provides an overview of the scientific study of human behavior. Topics include history, methodology, biopsychology, sensation, perception, learning, motivation, cognition, abnormal behavior, personality theory, social psychology, and other relevant topics. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the science of psychology. This is a Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) course that satisfies Social/Behavioral Sciences.

Total Credit Hours Required:
68

WBL-212/WBL-215 is an approved substitution. See advisor for details.

See your advisor for General Education substitutes.

Curriculum is based on the 2023-24 catalog.

Good To Know

Why General Education?

You may be asking yourself, “Why do I have to take (course name) when it is not directly related to my major?”

General Education courses will help you develop skills necessary to be successful in your major and in life. General Education can teach you how to talk to your employer, write a paper in a major course, understand interest rates on your car, and much more. General Education can also give you the skills to be a better member of society and a more informed citizen. Critical thinking, global understanding, and appreciation for the human experience are hallmarks of a well-rounded education.

How many hours of General Education do I have to take?

If you are enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science Degree program, a minimum of 15 general education hours are required in the following categories:

  • Six hours from Communication
  • Three hours from Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Three hours from Social & Behavioral Science
  • Three hours from Natural Science & Mathematics

General Education courses have been pre-selected for you by your faculty from the following list:

Communication Humanities & Fine Arts Social & Behavioral Science Natural Science & Mathematics
COM-110 ART-111 ECO-251 BIO-161
COM-120 ART-114 ECO-252 BIO-163
COM-231 ART-115 HIS-111 BIO-168
ENG-110 HUM-110 HIS-112 MAT-110
ENG-111 HUM-115 HIS-131 MAT-121
ENG-112 MUS-110 HIS-132 MAT-143
ENG-114 MUS-112 POL-120 MAT-152
  PHI-215 PSY-150 MAT-171
  PHI-240 SOC-210 PHY-110/110A
    SOC-225 PHY-121

 

Degrees designed to transfer to universities require more general education hours. If you are enrolled in the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science, you are required to take 45 hours of General Education from the following categories:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six to nine hours in Communication / Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six to nine hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Three to eight hours in Mathematics
  • Four to eight hours in Natural Sciences
  • 11 to 14 additional General Education hours

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Engineering, you are required to take 42 general education hours from the following:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six hours in Communication / Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six work hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • 12 hours in Mathematics
  • 12 hours in Natural Sciences

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts, you are required to take 25 general education hours from the following:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six hours in Communication / Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Three to four hours in Mathematics
  • Four hours in Natural Sciences

Additional information about General Education for transfer degrees, including courses that satisfy each category, may be found in the current College Catalog.

What will I learn in General Education?

At A-B Tech, our faculty have designed a general education core so that A-B Tech graduates will
learn the following:

Students will critically evaluate information:

  • Students will demonstrate information literacy.
  • Students will critique works of human expression.
  • Students will analyze scientific literature.

Students will solve problems:

  • Students will identify processes.
  • Students will analyze problems.
  • Students will interpret the results.
  • Students will recommend appropriate strategies or solutions.

Students will effectively communicate.

  • Students will communicate appropriately about the subject.
  • Students will communicate appropriately with the audience.
  • Students will communicate appropriately for the medium.

Ever wonder how A-B Tech awards credit for a certain course?

A-B Tech complies with the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges Code, so your courses are assigned the course level and receive the same amount of credit as courses at all 58 North Carolina Community Colleges.

If you want to read more about this, see the A-B Tech Policy and Procedure for the Assignment of Course Level Credit.