COMPUTER SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN - NETWORKING
Program Outline
Major: CSTN
Length: 2 Years
Delivery: 4 Semesters, plus 2 work terms
Credential: Ontario College Diploma, Co-op
Effective: 2011-2012
Location: Barrie
Start: Fall + Winter
Description
This program is designed to meet the academic needs of all students, whether a recent secondary school graduate, a college or university graduate, or a mature student. Students may elect to complete different levels of development:
* completing this two-year diploma as a Computer Systems Technician; or
* transferring to a post-diploma program after completing the diploma; or
* transferring to university to complete a degree.
As students progress through the two years, the courses they take will help them gain insight and experience in the fields in which they may choose to apply their computer skills after graduation.
A structured approach to problem solving, effective oral and written communications, and attention to standards and documentation are stressed throughout.
Industry trends and requirements are continually monitored to ensure curriculum remains current and relevant.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Computer Systems Technician - Networking programme will be prepared to work independently or as a member of a team to support the development, implementation, and maintenance of computer systems and networks. Graduates with networking interests/skills generally find employment as data communications and network technical support specialists or network administrators; while graduates with hardware interests/skills generally find employment as computer operations specialists in many types of businesses and government. In addition, graduates may be employed in related areas such as the marketing of computer products, information centers and help desks, project management, operating systems support, office automation, consulting, and technical writing.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken, and visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience;
- interact with others in groups and teams, use critical thinking skills to evaluate and solve problems, communicate confidently in a variety of situations, and demonstrate technological fluency;
- analyze and resolve basic information technology problems through the application of systematic approaches.
- support the analysis, planning, design, development, and implementation of computer systems and networks.
- install, configure, troubleshoot, maintain, and upgrade components of computer systems and networks.
- complete all work in compliance with relevant policies, practices, processes and procedures.
- participate as an effective individual and member of a team.
- interpret, produce, and present work-related documents and information effectively and accurately.
- identify and implement strategies to improve job performance and promote personal and professional growth.
- demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- employ generic skills for personal and professional growth.
- demonstrate an awareness of organizational and team behaviour.
- demonstrate an awareness of ethical issues within a multicultural and global business environment.
- participate in society as an informed citizen and pursue an enriched professional and personal life through life-long learning.
- Curriculum objectives are achieved through a combination of lectures, labs, practical assignments, and co-op placements. Program Learning Outcomes are geared towards developing the skills necessary to design, develop, implement and audit computerized information systems, and toward developing initiative and self motivation.
Practical Experience
Co-operative Education is a mandatory component of all Co-op programs at Georgian College; it has been designed as a process by which students integrate their academic education with paid work experience related to their program of study. This integration affects much more than simply earning a salary, including the adjustment to the work environment and the development of professionalism. It also reinforces skills and theory learned during academic semesters, develops professional contacts, job knowledge and career path, improves human relations and communication skills and promotes personal maturity and financial independence.
Students are requested to register, attend and participate in their scheduled co-operative education classes. These classes are scheduled for all first year students and are expected to be completed in order to proceed successfully to their first co-op work experience. To ensure students are eligible to proceed onto any co-op work experience students should refer to Promotional Status and Eligibility for Co-op as outlined in the College Calendar. Co-op policies and procedures can be located on our website: www.georgianc.on.ca/careers/for-students/
Georgian College follows the Co-operative Education guidelines set out by the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE) and Education at Work Ontario (EWO) by supporting the learning outcomes designed for the program specific graduate profile and curriculum as set out by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
Program Progression
Fall Intake
Sem 1 - Fall 2011
Sem 2 - Winter 2012
Work Term 1 - Summer 2012
Sem 3 - Fall 2012
Work Term 2 - Winter 2013
Sem 4 - Summer 2013
Winter Intake
Sem 1 - Winter 2012
Sem 2 - Summer 2012
Work Term 1 - Fall 2012
Sem 3 - Winter 2013
Sem 4 - Summer 2013
work Term 2 - Fall 2013
Note: To confirm Winter (January) intake, contact the Office of the Registrar
Articulation Agreements
A number of articulation agreements have been negotiated with universities and other institutions across Canada, North America and internationally. These agreements are assessed, revised and updated on a regular basis. Please contact the program co-ordinator for specific details if you are interested in pursuing such an option. Additional information can be found on our website at www.georgianc.on.ca/academics/articulations/.
Admission Requirements
Applicants following the OSS curriculum must have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD - 30 credits) or equivalent. Applicants following the OSS curriculum also require Grade 12 English (C) or (U) (ENG 4C, ENG 4U) and any Grade 12 College Mathematics (MAP 4C or MCT 4C), or any Grade 12 University Mathematics.
Applicants who are 19 years of age or over by the first day of classes, and who lack the academic entrance qualifications, may be considered for entrance to an appropriate post-secondary diploma or certificate program as mature applicants. Each applicant will be considered on an individual basis and acceptance will be determined by counselling, Communication Placement Assessment (CPA), previous post-secondary education and evaluation of experience. Some programs also have specific prerequisite requirements that must be met prior to admission. Mature applicants must meet all program specific prerequisites. Those applying as mature students and having no documentation of Grade 12 education must supply, if required, proof of age, such as a copy of an official birth certificate or driver's licence. Refer to Sections 2.5 and 2.6 of the Academic Calendar for further details.
Graduation Requirements
19 Mandatory Courses
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses
2 Co-op Work Terms
Graduation Eligibility
To graduate from this program, the passing weighted average for promotion through each semester, from year to year and to graduate is 60%. Additionally, a student must attain a minimum of 50% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester.
Mandatory
COMP1035 Networking Essentials
COMP1046 Introduction to Operating Systems and Servers
COMP1047 Computer Systems Hardware
COMP2017 Server Administration
COMP2018 Introduction to Linux
COMP2019 TCP/IP Applications
COMP2020 Server Configuration
COMP2056 Network Planning
COMP2057 Basic Router Configuration
COMP2063 Network Project
COMP2071 Enterprise Workstation Support
COMP2072 Network Design
COMP2073 Operating Systems Security
COMP2074 Routing Protocols
COMP2075 Wireless Networking
COMP2076 Advanced Router and Switch Configuration
COMP2077 Network Security
COMP2078 Emerging Technologies
MGMT2008 Project Management for Information Technology
The descriptions that follow provide brief outlines of the courses. Please note that some courses have prerequisite and/or corequisite requirements not shown here, that need to be met in order to enroll in the course. You will be advised of any requisite requirements during the registration process, or you can contact the academic area for further details.
Communications
COMM1001 Communications at Work
Plus one addition communications to be selected from College list
(Note: this is in addition to any mandatory communications listed for the program)
General Education Courses
To be selected from College list
Co-op
COOP1007 Computer Systems Technician Work Term 1
COOP2004 Computer Systems Technician Work Term 2
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
COMM1001 Communications at Work 42.0 Hours
In the workplace, employers require high standards of communication skills. Students develop their communication skills for the workplace as they research, write and edit work-related correspondence and reports. Using technology, they individually and collaboratively design and deliver professional presentations and meetings. This course focuses on communication tasks specific to students' program areas and their future careers.
COMP1035 Networking Essentials 42.0 Hours
This course provides the student with a general understanding of data communication concepts and applications. The course emphasizes terminology, and examines hardware alternatives, live protocols, network software, error detection/correction and network security. As well, the student reviews the product offerings of the public carriers.
COMP1046 Introduction to Operating Systems and Servers 42.0 Hours
This course introduces the student to the components of the most popular networking operating systems in operation today. Various operating systems will be examined in order to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each.
COMP1047 Computer Systems Hardware 42.0 Hours
In this course the student will learn the components of computer hardware and various networking devices. The student will gain the knowledge and confidence to install components and manage common problems that may occurs in the workplace. The student will have the opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge of some of the devices.
COMP2017 Server Administration 42.0 Hours
This course provides the student with an understanding of administering a network operating system (NOS). The student learns how to set up and manage users and groups. In addition, the student learns how to secure access to the file system and other network resources.
COMP2018 Introduction to Linux 42.0 Hours
The student will explore the different uses and advantages of Linux and how this operating system can be deployed within an organization. Hands on experience in configuring and administering of a Linux system will be an integral part of the course. The student will learn how to manage user accounts, applications, and processes. Stability and cost are important concerns in IT departments and will be discussed as part of the course.
COMP2019 TCP/IP Applications 42.0 Hours
This course provides the technical knowledge required to work with and on TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) based networks. TCP/IP is the protocol suite used on the Internet and is becoming an accepted standard for intranets. Students will learn to identify the various protocols within the suite and the functions of each of them. Diagnostic tools will be introduced to help the student better manage a TCP/IP environment.
COMP2020 Server Configuration 42.0 Hours
This course provides the students with an understanding of installing and configuring a Network Operating System (NOS). The course focuses on major NOSs utilized in the business environment. The students become familiar with the installation procedure and procedures used to configure and monitor the NOS.
COMP2056 Network Planning 42.0 Hours
This course expands on networking concepts. Internetworking devices and protocols are discussed in detail in relationship to the suite of protocols used on the Internet. The student learns how to divide a network into subnetworks using the concept of classless inter-domain routing (CIDR). The student uses software to discover how devices on a network communicate with each other and how to identify problems with the network.
COMP2057 Basic Router Configuration 42.0 Hours
This course provides a comprehensive knowledge to various network routing technologies. The students learn the various components of a router, configure a set of routers across an inter-network. Routing protocols are configured. The students learn how to backup the configuration. Troubleshooting techniques are also introduced. Various Wide Area Network protocols are introduced and the students are able to configure them in a lab environment. The students are then introduced to Local Area network (LAN) switches and some of their applications.
COMP2063 Network Project 42.0 Hours
This course provides opportunities for the student to enhance the skills acquired in the previous courses such as Project Management and Network Planning. Students will apply their project management skills to a server based or network based project. Working in teams, students will work on an actual community based project. Students will be responsible for preparing a client needs analysis, building prototypes, and completing project documentation.
COMP2071 Enterprise Workstation Support 42.0 Hours
This course introduces the student to implementing desktop support in an enterprise. The student will examine how to install software, manage workstations, and support them remotely.
COMP2072 Network Design 42.0 Hours
This course prepares the student to analyze network infrastructure requirements and to design and implement the infrastructure for business solutions. Implementation responsibilities include installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network systems.
COMP2073 Operating Systems Security 42.0 Hours
This course focuses on the overall security processes based on a security policy. Various methods for security desktop and server operating systems will be examined.
COMP2074 Routing Protocols 42.0 Hours
This course introduces the student to the concept of dynamic routing protocols, describes the classes of dynamic routing protocols, and gives examples of protocols in each class.
A student will learn to choose a dynamic routing protocol based upon many considerations. These include the size of the network, the bandwidth of available links, the processing power of the routers, the brands and models of the routers, and the protocols that are used in the network.
COMP2075 Wireless Networking 42.0 Hours
This course focuses on the design, installation, configuration, operation and troubleshooting of wireless LANs. A comprehensive overview of wireless technologies, devices, security, design, and best practices is provided with particular emphasis on real world applications and skills.
COMP2076 Layer 2 Switch Configuration 42.0 Hours
Students will learn the functions and operation of layer 2 switches. The course reviews and reinforces the underlying concepts included within the IEEE 802.3 LAN (Local Area Network) standard and introduces the role of an Ethernet switch with a LAN. Students will develop skills with Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), Virtual Trunking Protocol (VTP), Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), and inter-VLAN routing.
COMP2077 Network Security 42.0 Hours
This course teaches students the principles of network security through hands-on exploration and focuses on securing the network infrastructure. Students will learn how to secure a local area network (LAN) by implementing technologies such as firewalls, virtual private networks (VPN), and intrusion detection systems (IDS).
COMP2078 Emerging Technologies 42.0 Hours
Students will learn to identify and research various technologies which are being introduced in the information technology (IT) environment. This course will provide students with the opportunity to investigate trends that currently impact the working environment of IT personnel.
COOP1007 Computer Systems Technician Work Term 1 560.0 Hours
Co-operative Education is a mandatory component of all Co-op programs at Georgian College. Students are required to attend and participate in their scheduled semester co-op classes CPHR0001 (12 sessions) in order to proceed successfully to their first co-op work experience.
COOP2004 Computer Systems Technician Work Term 2 560.0 Hours
After completion of co-op work experience 1, students are required to attend a scheduled debriefing session. This session will be scheduled in the first month for all returning co-op students and is intended to prepare students for work term 2. This session will also allow the student to validate and submit supporting documentation for work term 1 credit. This must be achieved before proceeding to co-op work experience 2 and graduating with a two year Computer Systems Technician Diploma.
MGMT2008 Project Management for Information Technology 42.0 Hours
This course introduces the fundamental principles necessary for successful management of Information Technology (IT) projects. Project planning, management and control techniques will be discussed and the application of computers in project management will be studied.
Adults with significant life and work experience may receive credits toward a college certificate or diploma program through an assessment process.
More information about Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
NOTE: Information contained in College documents respecting programs is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. The college reserves the right to add or delete programs, options, courses, timetables or campus locations subject to sufficient enrolment, and the availability of courses.
Last Update: November 21, 2011.