Academics > All Programs > Computer Support Specialist Degree
The Computer Support Specialist program is a sequence of courses designed to provide student with an understanding of the concepts, principles, and techniques required in computer information processing. Graduates are to be competent in the general areas of humanities or fine arts, social or behavioral sciences, and natural sciences or mathematics, as well as in the technical areas of computer terminology and concepts, program design and development, and computer networking. Program graduates are qualified for employment as computer support specialist.
Education: A high school diploma or its equivalent is required for admission. Age: 16 years or older Placement: Achievement of appropriate scores on the college's placement test or submission of acceptable SAT or ACT scores. Provisional Admission accepted.
Course | Credit Hours |
---|---|
GENERAL CORE COURSES | |
Language Arts | |
ENGL 1101 Composition and Rhetoric Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience. Required textbooks and materials:
| 3 |
Humanities (choose ONE class) | |
ARTS 1101 Art Appreciation Explores the visual arts and the relationship to human needs and aspirations. Students investigate the value of art, themes in art, the elements and principles of composition, and the materials and processes used for artistic expression. Well- known works of visual art are explored. The course encourages student interest in the visual arts beyond the classroom.4318 | 3 |
ENGL 2130 American Literature Emphasizes American literature as a reflection of culture and ideas. A survey of important works in American literature. Includes a variety of literary genres: short stories, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and novels. Topics include literature and culture, essential themes and ideas, literature and history, and research skills. Required textbooks and materials:
| 3 |
MUSC 1101 Music Appreciation Explores the formal elements of musical composition, musical form and style, and the relationship of music to historical periods. The course includes listening and analysis of well-known works of music. This course encourages student interest in musical arts beyond the classroom. 4377 | 3 |
Math | |
MATH 1111 College Algebra Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using algebraic concepts.Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra, equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, and systems of equations; optional topics include sequences, series, and probability or analytic geometry. Required textbooks and materials:
| 3 |
OR | |
MATH 1103 Quantitative Skills and Reasoning This course focuses on quantitative skills and reasoning in the context of experiences that students will be likely to encounter. The course emphasizes processing information in context from a variety of representations, understanding of both the information and the processing, and understanding which conclusions can be reasonably determined. Students will use appropriate technology to enhance mathematical thinking and understanding. Topics covered in this course include: sets and set operations, logic, basic probability, data analysis, linear models, quadratic models, exponential and logarithmic models, geometry, and financial management.16366 | 3 |
Social Sciences (choose ONE class) | |
POLS 1101 American Government Emphasizes study of government and politics in the United States. The focus of the course will provide an overview of the Constitutional foundations of the American political processes with a focus on government institutions and political procedures. The course will examine the constitutional framework, federalism, civil liberties and civil rights, public opinion, the media, interest groups, political parties, and the election process along with the three branches of government. In addition, this course will examine the processes of Georgia state government. Topics include: foundations of government, political behavior, and governing institutions.12370 | 3 |
PSYC 1101 Introductory Psychology Introduces the major fields of contemporary psychology. Emphasis is on fundamental principles of psychology as a science. Topics include research design, the organization and operation of the nervous system, sensation and perception, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, thinking and intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychopathology and interventions, stress and health, and social psychology. Required textbooks and materials:
| 3 |
SOCI 1101 Introduction to Sociology Explores the sociological analysis of society, its culture, and structure. Sociology is presented as a science with emphasis placed on its methodology and theoretical foundations. Topics include basic sociological concepts, socialization, social interaction and culture, social groups and institutions, deviance and social control, social stratification, social change, and marriage and family. Required textbooks and materials:
| 3 |
Choose ONE class form the following not previously taken: | |
ARTS 1101 Art Appreciation Explores the visual arts and the relationship to human needs and aspirations. Students investigate the value of art, themes in art, the elements and principles of composition, and the materials and processes used for artistic expression. Well- known works of visual art are explored. The course encourages student interest in the visual arts beyond the classroom.4318 | 3 |
ECON 1101 Principles of Economics Provides a description and analysis of economic operations in contemporary society. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of economic concepts and policies as they apply to everyday life. Topics include: basic economic principles; economic forces and indicators; capital and labor; price, competition, and monopoly; money and banking; government expenditures, federal and local; fluctuations in production, employment, and income; and United States economy in perspective.12372 | 3 |
ENGL 1102 Literature and Composition Emphasizes the student*s ability to read literature analytically and meaningfully and to communicate clearly.Students analyze the form and content of literature in historical and philosophical contexts. Topics include reading and analysis of fiction, poetry, and drama; research; and writing about literature. Required textbooks and materials:
| 3 |
ENGL 2130 American Literature Emphasizes American literature as a reflection of culture and ideas. A survey of important works in American literature. Includes a variety of literary genres: short stories, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and novels. Topics include literature and culture, essential themes and ideas, literature and history, and research skills. Required textbooks and materials:
| 3 |
HIST 2112 US History II Emphasizes the study of the social, cultural, and political history of the United States from 1865 to the beginning of the twenty-first century and will equip the student to better understand the problems and challenges of the contemporary world in relation to events and trends in modern American history. The course also provides an overview of the history of Georgia and the development of its constitution. Topics include: the Reconstruction Period; the great West, the new South, and the rise of the debtor; the Gilded Age; the progressive movement; the emergence of the U. S. in world affairs; the Roaring Twenties; the Great Depression; World War I; World War II; the Cold War and the 1950's; the Civil Rights Movement; the 1960's and 1970's; and America since 1980.12374 | 3 |
MATH 1112 College Trigonometry Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using trigonometric concepts.Topics include trigonometric functions, properties of trigonometric functions, vectors and triangles, inverse of trigonometric functions and graphing of trigonometric functions, logarithmic and exponential functions, and complex numbers. Required textbooks and materials:
| 3 |
MUSC 1101 Music Appreciation Explores the formal elements of musical composition, musical form and style, and the relationship of music to historical periods. The course includes listening and analysis of well-known works of music. This course encourages student interest in musical arts beyond the classroom. 4377 | 3 |
PHSC 1111 Physical Science Introduces the fundamentals of classical physics, the solar system, and universe from a descriptive viewpoint. Topics include: mechanics, temperature and heat, waves, electricity and magnetism, and astronomy. Laboratory exercises supplement class work. Computer use is an integral part of class and laboratory assignments.12376 | 3 |
POLS 1101 American Government Emphasizes study of government and politics in the United States. The focus of the course will provide an overview of the Constitutional foundations of the American political processes with a focus on government institutions and political procedures. The course will examine the constitutional framework, federalism, civil liberties and civil rights, public opinion, the media, interest groups, political parties, and the election process along with the three branches of government. In addition, this course will examine the processes of Georgia state government. Topics include: foundations of government, political behavior, and governing institutions.12370 | 3 |
PSYC 1101 Introductory Psychology Introduces the major fields of contemporary psychology. Emphasis is on fundamental principles of psychology as a science. Topics include research design, the organization and operation of the nervous system, sensation and perception, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, thinking and intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychopathology and interventions, stress and health, and social psychology. Required textbooks and materials:
| 3 |
SOCI 1101 Introduction to Sociology Explores the sociological analysis of society, its culture, and structure. Sociology is presented as a science with emphasis placed on its methodology and theoretical foundations. Topics include basic sociological concepts, socialization, social interaction and culture, social groups and institutions, deviance and social control, social stratification, social change, and marriage and family. Required textbooks and materials:
| 3 |
OCCUPATIONAL COURSES | |
COMP 1000 Introduction to Computer Literacy Introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include an introduction to computer terminology, the Windows environment, Internet and email, word processing software, spreadsheet software, database software, and presentation software.
Required textbooks and materials:
| 3 |
CIST 1001 Computer Concepts Provides an overview of information systems, computers and technology.Topics include:Information Systems and Technology Terminology, Computer History, Data Representation, Data Storage Concepts, Fundamentals of Information Processing, Fundamentals of Information Security, Information Technology Ethics, Fundamentals of Hardware Operation, Fundamentals of Networking, Fundamentals of the Internet, Fundamentals of Software Design Concepts, Fundamentals of Software, (System and Application), System Development Methodology, Computer Number Systems conversion (Binary and Hexadecimal), Mobile computing. Required textbooks and materials:
| 4 |
CIST 1305 Program Design and Development An introductory course that provides problem solving and programming concepts for those that develop user applications. An emphasis is placed on developing logic, troubleshooting, and using tools to develop solutions. Topics include: problem solving and programming concepts, structured programming, the four logic structures, file processing concepts, and arrays. Required textbooks and materials:
| 3 |
CIST xxxx Operating Systems Course 4216 | 3 |
Select one Networking course: | |
CIST 1401 Computer Networking Fundamentals Introduces networking technologies and prepares students to take the CompTIA*s broad-based, vendor independent networking certification exam, Network +. This course covers a wide range of material about networking, including local area networks, wide area networks, protocols, topologies, transmission media, and security. Focuses on operating network management systems, and implementing the installation of networks. It reviews cabling, connection schemes, the fundamentals of the LAN and WAN technologies, TCP/IP configuration and troubleshooting, remote connectivity, and network maintenance and troubleshooting. Topics include: basic knowledge of networking technology, network media and topologies, network devices, network management, network tools and network security. Required textbooks and materials:
| 4 |
OR | |
CIST 2451 Cisco Network Fundamentals This course provides students with classroom and laboratory experience in current and emerging network technology.Topics include basics of communication, converged networks, OSI and TCP/IP network models, Application layer protocols, services, and applications, Transport layer protocols and services, Network layer addressing and routing concepts, IPv4 and IPv6, calculating IPv4 subnets, Data Link layer and the encapsulation process, Physical layer components and data encoding, Ethernet and network protocol analysis, network abling, and basic network configuration. Required textbooks and materials:
| 4 |
CIST xxxx Database Elective Course 4220 | 4 |
CIST xxxx Guided Office Productivity Application Course 4222 | 3 |
CIST xxxx CIS Elective 4224 | 12 |
CIST 1122 Hardware Install & Maintenance This course serves to provide students with the knowledge of the fundamentals of computer technology, networking, and security along with the skills required to identify hardware, peripheral, networking, and security components with an introduction to the fundamentals of installing and maintaining computers. Students will develop the skills to identify the basic functionality of the operating system, perform basic troubleshooting techniques, utilize proper safety procedures, and effectively interact with customers and peers.This course is designed to help prepare students for the CompTIA A+ certification examination. Required textbooks and materials:
| 4 |
CIST 1601 Information Security Fundamentals This course provides a broad overview of information security. It covers terminology, history, security systems development and implementation. Student will also cover the legal, ethical, and professional issues in information security. Required textbooks and materials:
| 3 |
CIST 2921 IT Analysis Design & Proj Manage IT Analysis, Design, and Project Management will provides a review and application of systems life cycle development methodologies and project management. Topics include: Systems planning, systems analysis, systems design, systems implementation, evaluation, and project management. Required textbooks and materials:
| 4 |
*62 minimum semester hour credits required for graduation |