The two-fold mission of the Computer Information Systems program is preparing students:

• To be competent, entry-level professionals in computer or information-related fields, or
• For transfer to another college to continue their studies toward a baccalaureate degree.

Consistent with Briarwood College's Mission Statement and Goals, the Computer Information Systems program incorporates a student-centered philosophy and instills a commitment to lifelong learning. The program's curriculum promotes the importance of a liberal education, critical thinking, good communication skills, and a strong work ethic to a successful career Supporting the student-centered philosophy, a specialized CIS lab, accommodating twelve students, is available for student use twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week.

The College expects the graduates of the Computer Information Systems program to be able to meet the following goals:

• Communicate clearly, ethically, and responsibly, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrate desirable attitudes and work habits - creative thinking, problem solving, good judgment and self-reliance.
• Articulate a basic understanding of the inter-relationship of technology to problem solving, communications and society.
• Demonstrate a responsible attitude in relationships with employers, fellow employees, and toward the working environment; this includes the ability to work effectively in teams to achieve a common goal while exhibiting leadership, integrity and character.
• Demonstrate civic responsibility, an appreciation of the value of diversity, a commitment to life-long learning, and a willingness to support positive change.
• Demonstrate an understanding of network information/technology privacy and security concepts by
• designing a secure a site/system, and
• creating/enforcing organizations policies/procedures for privacy and security.
• Analyze informational needs and design an informational system to gather, process and store data as well as generate reports that meet informational needs.
• Create, implement and maintain database structures to process information.

Lastly, depending on the specific concentration, students are expected to be able to:

• Evaluate emerging new information, hardware, and communication technologies and their impact on organizational and personal needs.
• Troubleshoot and repair of PC hardware/software, operating systems and networking problems to facilitate the timely execution of organizational processes.
• Evaluate and maintain system and application software interaction on network hardware configurations including servers and workstations.
• Design and administer the installation of a network operating system, hardware, or software applications.
• Design and administer the interaction of internal systems with communication software/hardware and the Internet.
• Demonstrate the ability to write, compile and execute logic steps in various programming languages.
• Troubleshoot common programming problems and test solutions.

Associate in Applied Science Degree Programs New Program of Study - Beginning Fall, 2005

• Computer Information Systems
  Concentrations:
  • Information Systems
  • Networking
  • Programming

Students may also take a minimum of 15 credits of computer-related courses to attain a computer information systems concentration in the General Studies Program, an Associates of Arts degree.

One-Year Certificates

Curricula for formal certificate programs of study will be developed after the new Associate in Applied Science program begins Fall 2005. Students may complete individual courses that prepare for specific certifying exams sponsored by national corporations or agencies.

Various concentration electives provide the didactic information and hands-on practice necessary for the certifying exams leading to the following credentials:

• Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) A+ and Networking+,
• Microsoft Certified System Administrator (MCSA),
• Certified Novell Administrator (CNA),
• Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE), or
• Certified Novell Engineer (CNE).