CIS Course Descriptions

CIS 101-106 CIS Lab    0-1 cr.
Labs provide an opportunity for students to apply what they learn in class.  Students work on projects for the University and other groups under the direction of their instructor, thus providing practical, work-related experience that employers value.  
 
CIS 110 Technology Infrastructure I    4 cr.
This course covers the technical aspects of hardware and operating systems found in common office environments.  Students will learn the inner workings of the PC including motherboards, I/O devices, storage, memory, and the Windows operating system using a hands-on approach.  
 
CIS 115 Technology Infrastructure II    4 cr.
This course covers the networking concepts and terminology used in today's modern office environment.  Students will apply what they learn to install and configure an actual business network along with network maintenance and administration. 
 
CIS 120 Supporting Technology Users (CIS 110)    4 cr.
This course emphasizes the problem-solving, communication, and team skills necessary to successfully support computer end users. Students apply their technical knowledge to solve a variety of operating system, application software, and other problems.
 
CIS 125 Computer Programming I    4 cr.
This course provides an introduction to programming. Students will learn the fundamental skills that are required to design and develop object-oriented applications.
 
CIS 130 Computer Programming II (CIS 125)    4 cr.
This second course on programming moves to more advanced topics including data structures, collections, controls, Web objects, and writing applications for use on the Web.
 
CIS 150 Microsoft Office Application Software 4 cr.
This course offers an overview of the primary Microsoft Office applications, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access, which are essential tools for academic and professional endeavors.

CIS 210 Advanced Technology Infrastructure (CIS 115)    4 cr.
This course builds on the student's computer and networking knowledge toward more advanced topics including WAN implementation, wireless networks, Web servers, and router configuration.
 
CIS 215 Web Design and Development    4 cr.
Web sites are essential to allow users to access information over the Internet.  Using HTML, students will learn the Web elements such as tables, forms, frames, and CSS needed to create professional Web sites.  During the course, students will create and maintain a fully functional Web site.

CIS 218 Web and Graphic Design (CIS 215)    4 cr.
Not only do Web designers need to understand HTML, but the sites they create need to be functional, appealing, and easy to use.  In this course, students expand on basic Web design to increase the functionality of the Web site by learning to include XHTML, client-side scripting, and XML.  To make Web sites visually appealing, students will learn to create, modify, and animate Web graphics using a variety of tools along with proper placement for maximum effectiveness.
 
CIS 220 Developing Web Applications (CIS 215)    4 cr.
Students will build on their knowledge of Web design to integrate server-side scripting and databases to create dynamic, data-driven Web applications. Students will create a Web site that will create, maintain, and query a Web-based database.
 
CIS 225 Network Administration I (CIS 115)    4 cr.
Students will explore network administration topics that will prepare them for the challenge of administering an organizational network.  Topics will include network infrastructure, routing and remote access, server availability, and network security. 

CIS 226 Game Programming I (CIS 125)   4 cr.
In the first of two game programming courses, the student will learn practical techniques to create interesting and engaging computer games.  An introduction to the technologies, including programming languages and gaming platforms used in game programming, is made.  Version control systems, a critical tool for software developers, are included in this course.

CIS 227 Game Programming II (CIS 226)   4 cr.
The second gaming course will provide further enhancement of gaming skills and will culminate in the creation of a team project which integrates the results of coding with the XBOX 360® gaming platform.  The basics of the software development process are introduced and extensively used in this class.

CIS 230 Network Administration II (CIS 225)    4 cr.
This course continues with the exploration of advanced networking topics necessary to manage large organizational networks. Topics include Active Directory infrastructure, users/computers/group strategies, and policies.

CIS 237 Practical Computer Programming for Business (CIS 130)   4 cr.
The practices and techniques used in business to achieve enterprise-level programmatic solutions are investigated in a hands-on environment.  Use of version control systems and advanced database environments in the context of a software development process is covered.

CIS 240 Linux Administration I (CIS 115)     4 cr.
Linux is an open source operating system that has grown in popularity in recent years.  In this course students will learn to install, configure, and use both desktop and server versions.  Additional topics include using the shell and file system and installing programs.  This is the first in a three course sequence which prepares students to take CompTIA's Linux+ certification exam. 

CIS 241 Linux Administration II (CIS 240)    4 cr.
This course focuses on the administration and management of Linux installed as a server.  Topics include scripting, security, performance, troubleshooting, and backups.  This is the second in a three course sequence that helps prepare students to take CompTIA's Linux+ certification.

CIS 242 Linux Administration III (CIS 241)    4 cr.
Linux is used to host more Web sites than any other operating system.  In this course students will learn to configure/administer Web and Internet services such as Apache for hosting websites.  Since mixed environments are common, Windows/Linux integration is explored. Students will also learn to set up FTP and e-mail services along with other advanced maintenance tasks.  This is the last in a three course sequence that helps prepare students to take the CompTIA Linux+ certification.

CIS 250 Web Programming and the Business Environment (CIS 220)   4 cr.
In this course, students explore some of the Web tools that are present in the business environment.  These include advanced scripting and the use of databases as they pertain to Web sites.

CIS 251 Advanced Web Authoring Techniques (CIS 250)   4 cr.
Tools of the trade, including cookies and security and code obfuscation, are explored in this advanced Web course.  Methods for handling paradoxical concepts will also be presented.

CIS 252 Practical Web Creation for Business (CIS 251)    4 cr.
Students will develop a sophisticated Web site using the necessary code as well as the knowledge learned from previous courses.  The end product should be intuitive for the end-user and meet or exceed the most stringent aesthetic, corporate, and usability standards.

 
CIS 400 Systems Analysis and Design (residency status)    4 cr.
This course provides broad coverage of the Systems Development Life Cycle used to build information systems.  Students develop an understanding of how information technology supports business requirements and how to interact with users, management and other professionals.  A variety of tools will be explored that assist the analyst in designing systems.

CIS 415 Database Design and Implementation II (CIS 410)    4 cr.
The second course in database design and implementation focuses on the implementation of databases in the business environment.  Students will learn Structured Query Language (SQL), the language manipulation to create and access databases.  Additional topics include databases in electronic commerce, Web database development, transaction management, concurrency controls and query optimization.  Students will be introduced to designing databases with Visio Professional and Unified Modeling Language (UML).
 
CIS 420 Object Oriented Development (residency status)    4 cr.
Students learn the fundamental concepts of Object Oriented Programming (OOP).  Topics such as programming logic and object oriented design concepts and classes are explored.
 
CIS 421 Firewalls and Network Security (BCS 450)    4 cr.
One of the first areas to master in securing an organization's networks is analyzing risk and detecting intrusions.  Using a variety of analysis tools, students learn to detect intrusions and formulate an appropriate response.  Students also learn to choose and design firewalls and implement a VPN.
 
CIS 426 Network Defense and Countermeasures (BCS 450)    4 cr.
Security is critical to all business and personal computer users.  Students learn to identify security issues in Windows and Linux servers, then the vulnerabilities in networks, Web sites, and programs are explored.  Hands-on activities are used to reinforce the concepts covered in the course.
 
CIS 430 Developing and Deploying Web Applications I (CIS 420)    4 cr.
Students expand on their knowledge of programming to develop Web applications using popular Web-based programming languages and databases.
 
CIS 431 Management of Information Security (BCS 450)    4 cr.
Securing an organization's networks requires both technical and management skills.  Students continue to explore the technical issues in securing networks, but also design contingency plans, continuity plans, and incident response plans.  Students also design a disaster recovery plan and explore computer forensics.
 
CIS 435 Developing and Deploying Web Applications II (CIS 430)    4 cr.
Combining knowledge of databases, application development, and Web design, students create advanced, data-driven Web sites.

CIS 450 Internetworking Linux and Windows I (CIS 240 or equivalent) 4 cr.
This course is designed to enhance the student’s ability to create and maintain networks with computers that run both Windows and Linux.   The student will be able to integrate Linux workstations into a primarily Windows Server network.  Debugging, monitoring and tools to work in the mixed environment will be introduced and used throughout the course.

CIS 451 Internetworking Linux and Windows II (CIS 450) 4 cr.
This course introduces the student to networks that primarily utilize Linux servers.  Tools to debug, monitor and maintain such a network are utilized.  In addition, networks with mixed (Linux and Windows) servers are investigated.