Computer Information Systems Degree Curriculum

(1 CREDIT)
Overview of Internet technology; role of technology in society; strategies for completing the Internet Technology Program as an independent learner.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to: 

• Identify skills needed to be a confident and independent online learner
• Describe how the implementation of technology can improve business processes
• Cite at least two specific examples of how technology improves business productivity and competitiveness
• Examine the role technology has played, and continues to play, in the transition to a global economy
• Discuss trends in technology and their implications for businesses in the future
• Examine the personal effect of living in a technology driven world
• Describe critical privacy and security issues
• Discuss trends in technology and their implications for people in the future
• Specify the skills and responsibilities associated with various computing careers
• Analyze your own background and current skill level to determine a plan of action for the future

(1 CREDIT)
This course introduces students to the techniques and strategies necessary to research successfully in a cyber environment. Topics include the need for information literacy and how to formulate a search statement, navigate online search engines, cite sources, and organize and use information honestly and responsibly.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

 

• Identify how to formulate focused and specific research questions and the need for information
• Explain the different types of research tools, how they’re used to conduct different searches, and how to evaluate the quality and usefulness of the information found
• Explain how to cite sources properly using various citation styles in consideration of academic integrity, plagiarism, and ethical use of resources

(3 CREDITS)
Algebra is the mathematical language used to interpret and represent patterns in numbers by using variables, expressions, and equations. Algebra is an essential tool used in business, science, and computer technology. Throughout this course, you’ll be introduced to algebraic concepts, along with real-world application problems from a variety of fields. In addition to providing a springboard to the discovery of underlying mathematical properties, these applications illustrate the importance of mathematics in your world.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to: 

• Solve algebraic equations, linear equations, inequalities, and absolute value equations
• Solve and graph linear equations and inequalities
• Solve polynomials
• Apply algebraic operations to rational expressions and rational equations
• Solve problems involving radicals and complex numbers
• Solve quadratic equations, rational inequalities, nonlinear equations, and nonlinear inequalities
• Calculate exponential and logarithmic functions
• Solve binomial expansions, sequences, and arithmetic and geometric series
• Prepare for the final exam

(3 CREDITS)

 

Microsoft® Office allows people to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and databases. This course will teach you how to use three popular tools from the Microsoft® Office Suite — Word™, Excel®, and PowerPoint®. In this course, you'll learn how to use Word™ to create and edit text documents, insert figures and tables, and format pages for a variety of uses. You'll then learn how to use Excel® to organize and format data, including charts, formulas, and more complex tables. Next, you'll learn how to use PowerPoint® to create and deliver slide shows. Finally, you'll complete a graded project, which will test the skills acquired in Word™, Excel®, and PowerPoint®.

 

By the end of this course, you'll be able to:

 

• Create various Microsoft® Word™ documents.
• Produce a thorough Microsoft® Excel® spreadsheet.
• Identify the basic skills needed to use Microsoft® PowerPoint®.
• Synthesize what you’ve learned by integrating Word™, Excel®, and PowerPoint®.

(3 CREDITS)
Examines the basic logic common to all programming languages; shows students how to create their own programs not based on any particular programming language; concentrates on the basic guidelines and best practices for developing good programming skills.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Describe the steps for creating a program
• Analyze the use of Boolean, loops, and functions in a program
• Show the use of various types of arrays and menu-driven programs
• Explain the use of text processing, recursion, object-oriented programming, and GUIs
• Design pseudocode, a flowchart, and a GUI for an app

World Civilizations 

(3 CREDITS)

This course serves as an introduction to many of the major events of the fifteenth through twenty-first centuries. It also examines the causal relationships between events and trends all across the globe.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

 

• Identify the causes and consequences of global trade and its conflicting worldwide impact
• Describe the impact of social and industrial revolutions, fifteenth century onward, on various nations
• Recognize the conditions that led to the World Wars, decolonization, and the Cold War
• Summarize post–World War II effects on the economic and political structures around the world
• Discuss an event that occurred after the fifteenth century and had an impact on a world civilization
• Explain the effects of World War II on the world population

Introduction to Sociology

(3 CREDITS)
In this introduction to the field of sociology, you’ll learn about social structure, forms of power, and social relationships, as well as deviance, crime, and social control. You’ll explore issues of identity and inequality regarding class, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, and sexuality. Social institutions including the family, religion, education, work, and the media are examined, as well as the topics of health, politics, social movements, globalization, and social change.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

 

• Examine foundational concepts and theories of sociology and recognize how they inform research
• Analyze the ways in which culture, social structure, and power influence daily life
• Evaluate the effects of socialization, interaction, deviance, and social control on human behavior
• Develop an essay reflecting on the importance of cultural traditions amid increasing globalization
• Examine the ways in which class, race, gender, and sexuality influence identity and inequality
• Distinguish the various social institutions and issues in the current global system
• Develop an essay examining the ways in which social inequality informs social change and movements

Essentials of Psychology

(3 CREDITS)
This course covers biology and behavior, consciousness, memory, thought and language, intelligence, personality and gender, stress, and community influences.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

 

• Explain various states of consciousness, learning theories, and thought processes and development
• Summarize the nature of human motivation and development, the human development cycle, and approaches to understanding and assessing personality
• Prepare an essay on the topic of conditioning, memory, or motivation and emotion
• Recognize psychological disorders and available treatments
• Explain social psychology as it relates to attitudes, influences, behaviors, and stress
• Use critical thinking skills to determine the likely causes of behaviors of individuals and groups discussed in case studies

(3 CREDITS)
Database applications; integrating word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software applications.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to: 

• Explain the components of Microsoft Access
• Construct an inventory database using Microsoft Access
• Add to PowerPoint using Word, Excel, and other data
• Create a PowerPoint presentation including an outline, video file presentation, table of statistics, and spreadsheet
• Combine Word, Access, and Excel to integrate documents and information
• Develop a one-table database with client information, a letter that integrates an Excel spreadsheet and Access merge fields, and final merge documents
• Produce a database, spreadsheet, mail merge letter, and presentation for a promotional event

(3 CREDITS)
Teaches how to create Web pages with hypertext links, tables, frames, and forms; covers cascading style sheets, programming with JavaScript,® working with content and layout, controlling mouse and keyboard events, and creating new frames and windows.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Create a simple HTML web page that contains lists, links, images, and tables
• Recognize how to add forms, extra markup, flash, video, and audio
• Make a web page using CSS rules and CSS elements
• Identify elements in HTML5, aspects of design theory, and practical tips for launching a site

(3 CREDITS)
This course teaches the skills and techniques of effectively developing, drafting, and revising college-level essays toward a specific purpose and audience: active reading, prewriting strategies, sentence and paragraph structure, thesis statements, varied patterns of development (such as illustration, comparison and contrast, and classification), critical reading toward revision of structure and organization, editing for standard written conventions, and use and documentation of outside sources. Students submit two prewriting assignments and three essays (process analysis, comparison and contrast, and argumentation).

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

 

• Use writing skills to construct well-written sentences and active reading skills to understand and analyze text
• Develop paragraphs using topic sentences, adequate detail, supporting evidence, and transitions
• Contrast the revising and editing steps of the writing process
• Distinguish between different patterns of development
• Write a process analysis essay using prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing skills
• Recognize how to determine the reliability of secondary sources and to give proper credit to sources referenced in an essay
• Write a comparison and contrast essay by using persuasive writing techniques to defend a claim
• Create a sound written argument using techniques of drafting and evaluating sources

(3 CREDITS)
Covers topics related to how computers communicate with each other, how computers are grouped together to form networks, networking concepts and issues that are key to the successful implementation of computer networks, and the different networking implementation strategies and technologies currently available.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

 

• Categorize the application of network, OSI model, TCP/IP, and protocols
• Analyze the function of topologies, numbering systems, and IP addresses
• Point out the function of cabling, device functions, and LAN operations
• Show the configuration procedures for routers and switches

(3 CREDITS)
This course covers precalculus concepts that all college students need as prerequisites to calculus and other related courses required in many undergraduate majors. Specific topics include exponents, logarithms, sequences, series, trigonometric functions, analytic trigonometry, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices, conic sections, polar coordinates, and limits.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Solve and graph exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric equations
• Convert angles from radians to degrees and vice versa
• Verify trigonometric identities
• Use right triangle trigonometry, the Law of Sines, and the Law of Cosines to solve problems and plot points in the polar coordinate system
• Use multiple techniques to solve and graph systems of linear equations and inequalities
• Recognize, graph, and use equations for parabolas, hyperbolas, and ellipses
• Solve basic concepts of derivatives
• Demonstrate various analytical and problem-solving skills that involves math calculations related to precalculus

(3 CREDITS)
This course provides an introduction to the various methods of organizing material for a professional setting. Students will compose business documents using the ABC method. These include: memos, emails, outlines, reports and proposals, descriptions, and organizing materials. Students also work on honing their grammar skills.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Recognize how to use words correctly and effectively
• Produce a well-constructed interoffice memo, workplace email, and business letter
• Produce a brief business report based on findings obtained using research techniques and methods of documentation
• Produce an informal report that lists findings of an investigation and provides recommendation for issues raised in the findings
• Describe procedures for creating proposals, descriptions, instructions, and manuals for the workplace
• Create a detailed proposal designed to solve an internal human resource issue

(3 CREDITS)
You’ve embarked on a journey into Python. It’s one of the most used programming languages in the history of computing. You can utilize it almost anywhere due to its versatility, simple syntax, and easy learning. It has vast open-source libraries for nearly anything from basic programming to complex quantum computing algorithms. In this course, you’ll study basic syntax. You’ll be able to construct programs to do various things with data. The course will cover four small projects and a final project you can utilize in a programming portfolio.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Develop a simple program in the Python environment using turtle graphics
• Design a dice-rolling program using turtle graphics and Python functions
• Create an ATM program using knowledge of variables and functions
• Use Python to interact with existing databases
• Construct a calculator program using Python and a Tkinter GUI
• Prepare for the final exam

(3 CREDITS)
Offers an overview of essential database concepts, with a focus on the relational model of database management; covers Structured Query Language (SQL) design methodology, functions of a database management system, and database administration; includes advanced topics such as object-oriented (OO) databases, data warehouses, and client server systems.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Define relational databases, their major characteristics, and current management systems
• Identify basic components and situations where a database is needed
• Discuss information collection standards and processes
• Prepare various methods and documents for eliciting information
• Define business rules, requirements, and common issues for databases
• Create entities and understand relationships between them
• Work with and remove various levels of dependencies
• Identify the importance of design review
• Compare and contrast database management systems
• Choose appropriate data types and physical designs for databases
• Discuss the historical development of SQL
• Use business rules and built-in functions
• Test business rules in SQL
• Analyze security needs, restrictions, and possible threats
• Create logins and roles
• Differentiate between authentication and authorization

Earth Science

(3 CREDITS)
This course covers a number of topics which are concentrated in four main categories: geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy. Geology is the study of Earth, its minerals and rocks, and the many varied processes that formed our planet and continue to reform it today. Oceanography is the study of Earth’s oceans. Meteorology is the study of Earth’s atmosphere and astronomy is the study of Earth’s place in space and all things related. These four elements combined make up the Earth and are essential in understanding how the world works and how it’s evolving.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

 

• Categorize the matter, minerals, and materials that compose the Earth
• Distinguish between the various theories about the forces behind the Earth’s history
• Differentiate between the elements and their ways of sculpting the landscape
• Point out the geological features of oceans and the important concepts of geology
• Categorize the causes and effects of various phenomena affecting Earth’s atmosphere
• Analyze the components of the solar system and the universe
• Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of earth science by completing an open-book proctored exam

Introduction to Biology

(3 CREDITS)
An introductory course that explains the origin of life and the relationships between all living things. It describes how a significant number of organisms are structured and how they work, in order to enable students to discuss intelligently the various forms of life and their processes.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

 

• Analyze cells and their processes for obtaining energy and reproducing
• Explain how traits are passed on from one generation to the next
• Explain how different species of living things have evolved and are classified
• Write responses to fundamental biology essay prompts
• Identify the characteristics and behavior of plants and animals
• Diagram the anatomy and physiology of the human body
• Describe the ecology of living things
• Summarize complex biological issues using research articles

Nutrition

(3 CREDITS)

Nutrition is the science that investigates how the body takes in, breaks down, and uses foods. The course will provide you with basic information on how these processes take place, including information about nutrients and how they contribute to the way the body functions. This will help you to have a better understanding of your decisions about food and diet. You’ll also learn about physical activities that can contribute to a healthier lifestyle. Because a central focus of nutrition studies is on health promotion, suggestions for individual nutrition choice will be discussed, as well as tactics for maintaining a healthy weight and keeping food supplies safe. 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Describe how nutrition supports a body's wellness
• Recognize the body's use of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins 
• Identify the body's use of water, minerals, and micronutrients
• Discuss what nutritional needs are for a healthy weight and for an athletic lifestyle 
• Define food safety and the nutritional needs of humans over a lifetime
• Prepare a research paper on a nutritional topic 

(3 CREDITS)
This course introduces programming using the Java programming language and takes a hands-on approach from the start. Each lesson builds upon the previous one, layering concepts and growing skills through the creation of real-world applications. The first few lessons will ease you into the rich development world of Java, but by the end of the course, you’ll have a fully functional application and the associated skillset to create many more.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Write, compile, and run Java code
• Implement common coding algorithms in Java
• Create applications with object-oriented design principles
• Use Java I/O and multithreading in applications
• Create Swing-based applications
• Develop a multithreaded, object-oriented game application with a GUI

(3 CREDITS)
This course begins with the planning process for software development and then shows the students how to convert the user’s business needs into a computer information system.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the fundamentals of systems analysis and design, including the various software in project management
• Categorize the planning and selection procedures required for system development
• Point out the factors for selecting various system analysis process
• Categorize the steps required for designing interfaces and databases
• Compare different implementation and operation procedures of information systems
• Prepare a research project for a real-life information system situation

Computer Forensics

(3 CREDITS)
This course teaches how to conduct a high-tech investigation, from acquiring digital evidence to reporting the findings. Coverage includes how to set up a forensics lab, how to acquire the necessary tools, and how to conduct an investigation and subsequent digital analysis. Featured in the textbook are free downloads of several forensics software programs for students to become familiar with the tools of the trade.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

 

• Discuss computer forensics and investigation as a profession
• Assess corporate and law enforcement forensic needs
• Train end users and forensic investigators on best practices
• Conduct computing investigations and form incident response teams
• Identify hardware and its types, including unauthorized hardware
• Discuss an investigator’s legal rights and limitations
• Define and describe computer evidence, handling issues, identification, and collection processes
• Maintain chain of custody, admissibility standards, and preservation
• Use current computer forensics tools: disk imagers, forensic tool sets, and other tools
• Perform computer forensics analysis, validation, and presentation of evidence
• Identify the pros and cons of full and partial volume images
• Describe disk and memory imaging and capture tools
• Describe how to prepare and present evidence
• Discuss encryption basics, weaknesses, common practices, and processes for analysis and capture of encrypted data
• Write reports and documentation for high-tech investigations properly and thoroughly

Internet Marketing and E-Commerce

(3 CREDITS)
Provides a concise introduction to electronic commerce with balanced coverage of both technology and business topics; contains a comprehensive online companion that links the concepts in the book to real online examples; security, implementation, ethics, and legal issues in electronic commerce; case studies of real businesses.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

 

• Explain the use of SEO and SEM in B2B online marketing
• Analyze the use of online PR, social media, optimizing metrics, and CRO on your site
• Categorize the importance of managing leads, integrating marketing with CRM, and effective use of marketing mix
• Prepare an essay project assessing the online B2B market place

Internet Security

(3 CREDITS)
Explores Web security risks and how to minimize them; aimed at Web users, administrators, and content providers, and it covers cryptography, SSL, the Public Key Infrastructure, digital signatures, digital certificates, privacy threats (cookies, log files, Web logs, Web bugs), hostile mobile code, and Web publishing (intellectual property, P3P, digital payments, client-side digital signatures, code signing, PICS).

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

 

• Explain the value and importance of information security
• Explain personal security defense tools and their usage
• Describe the role of physical security for a network or organization

Web Site Project Management

(3 CREDITS)
Provides future developers and designers information on how to think about creating a successful Website; covers planning and analysis, designing and developing, and marketing. This text is for the programmer or developer who is serious about exploring the nature of a successful Website.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

 

• Discuss how to communicate effectively with your client and team
• Describe various types of technical documentation
• Describe what’s involved in quality assurance and testing of a Web project
• Analyze how to effectively manage a web project

Introduction to Internet Multimedia

(3 CREDITS)
Provides an overview of multimedia on the web and multimedia elements such as text and graphics, as well as sound, animation, and video; describes multimedia-authoring programs and the development and design of multimedia titles; covers the management and distribution of multimedia titles.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

 

• Point out the tools and best practices for text, images, and sound in creating multimedia projects
• Categorize the best use of animation, video, and software tools in creating multimedia projects
• Distinguish between the important steps of planning, costing, designing, and producing a multimedia project
• Analyze the various tools and consideration for adding multimedia to the web and mobile platform
• Plan the steps in designing and developing a web site using multimedia

Creating Web Pages with PHP

(3 CREDITS)
Students will master the basics of coding in PHP by creating web pages, not by spending time wading through manuals; provides step-by-step instructions on how to get MySQL, Apache, and PHP up and running on a Windows® or Linux® machine; teaches how to use PHP variables; display dynamic content; use cookies; create a contact management system; create custom logs and reports; authenticate and track users; display dynamic content.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

 

• Differentiate between HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP
• Explain how to add variables, arrays, functions, and objects using JavaScript
• Describe how to add variables, arrays, functions, and objects using PHP
• Explain how to work with cookies, user sessions, and web-based forms
• Recognize basic SQL commands used in database design
• Create and build simple web applications
• Write scripts for an online storefront

Programming in CGI/Perl

(3 CREDITS)
Teaches how to create common gateway interface script (CGI) using practical extraction and report language, more commonly known as Perl; covers how to add functionality to web pages using features such as hyperlinks, forms, data files, and databases; create truly interactive Web applications using subroutines, string manipulation, cookies, hidden fields, and redirects.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

 

• Create online forms using Perl
• Create CGI scripts using Perl
• Use Perl on a Unix server
• Use Perl with DBM databases
• Write cookies
• Manipulate and process data via the internet and web servers using Per

Streaming Technology

(3 CREDITS)
This course includes instruction in Dreamweaver,® Flash,® and Fireworks,® along with integration of the three applications. Students develop a web page and work with text and graphics, links, and tables in Dreamweaver;® add objects and animation to a web page with Fireworks;® and draw, work with symbols and create interactivity and special effects with Flash.®

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

 

• Design and organize websites with Dreamweaver
• Add interactivity to your web pages
• Create movies and animations in Flash
• Work with symbols and interactivity
• Create and publish applications for mobile devices
• Create objects and graphics in Fireworks
• Integrate Dreamweaver, Flash, and Fireworks products

Advanced Database Technology

(3 CREDITS)
This course will give you the necessary background in relational database theory and Oracle Database concepts. It will show you how to implement an Oracle Database correctly and give you significant insight into the routine of a database administrator. Lastly, the latter parts of the book will show you the fine art of performance tuning.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

 

• Explain relational databases and set up the tools required for the database
• View data using Structured Query Language (SQL) queries
• Write SQL queries to add, update, and remove data from tables, and create and drop tables
• Describe how to view data from multiple tables, use SQL functions in SQL queries, and group results of SQL queries
• Write commands for performing various tasks in SQL

(6 CREDITS)

(Choose two) ...

Music Appreciation

In this course, you'll practice the skill of active listening. Learning to listen differently will allow you to experience all kinds of music in a new way. Most listeners are familiar with how music makes them feel, and we often say we like a particular piece of music because it has a "good beat" or a beautiful melody. This course will allow you to go deeper. You'll identify what the composer might have been trying to convey and listen for the way elements of musical composition and performance make each piece unique.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Identify the building blocks of music a composer can use to create a piece, such as rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form, and timbre
• Differentiate between the music of the baroque era and the musical styles of previous time periods
• List the major characteristics of classical music, including form, melody, and instrumentation
• Describe the musical trends and innovations that occurred during the romantic era
• Relate musical styles of the early twentieth century to comparable movements in art and literature
• Explain the evolution of American popular music in the twentieth century
• Describe the influence of world music on modern western composition
• Synthesize research comparing composers' influence in their respective genres

Textbook: Experience Music

Introduction to Literature

This course will allow you to develop your critical thinking skills and broaden your knowledge of the main genres of literature — fiction, poetry, and drama.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Explain how to effectively read fiction for both knowledge and enjoyment
• Identify different styles and forms of poetry
• Use what you've learned in this course to discuss, write about, and understand literature
• Prepare a critical interpretation of fiction or poetry based on what you've learned in this course
• Discuss how literary dramas differ from fiction and poetry
• Identify different strategies of critical literary analysis

Art Appreciation

In this course, you will gain an understanding of artistic media, historical periods and artistic movements, the roles of the artist and the viewer, and the principles of art criticism.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Define the language, visual elements, and principles of design of art
• Identify two-dimensional media
• Identify three-dimensional media
• Explain the evolution of art from ancient Mediterranean cultures through eighteenth century Europe
• Identify features and popular examples of art throughout the history of African, Asian, Pacific, and American cultures
• Compare the genres of the Modern and Postmodern eras of art from around the world