Member Avatar for TheScott

Hello,

Can someone explain & help me understand this major? How does it differ from an IT/IS major?

I've been reading a lot about IT & IS. My local community college has a program called "Drexel @ BCC". The B.S. degree below can be earned at my CC. The IS & IT programs require me to commute to the main campus in Philadelphia.

I can't really tell you what my goals are yet, but I'd like 4 things out of my degree.

#1 Skills that would enable me to freelance/consult or be self employed if I desired.

#2 Web development (medium level skill). If I have an idea for a certain type of site I'd like to be able to at least get it started/functioning before hiring help. (I'm @ the beginning stages of learning PHP right now)

#3 Basic programming.

#4 Employable IT Skills

I don't care too much about theory.

In a nutshell I have a ton of internet based ideas. I'd like to acquire the skills to put them into action. At the same time I'd like to have employable skills if I chose to work for a company.

I'm considering 3 majors, and I don't quite understand this 3rd major (the IS & IT programs can be found on their site)
http://drexel.edu/catalog/ug/goodwin/ct-index.htm

Computing and Security Technology

Computing and Security Technology Core Requirements
51.0 Credits
CT 200 Server I 3.0
CT 320 Server II 3.0
CT 140 Network Administration I 3.0
CT 330 Network Administration II 3.0
CT 350 Network Administration III 3.0
CT 210 Linux I 3.0
CT 310 Linux II 3.0
CT 340 Operating System Architecture I 3.0
CT 360 Operating System Architecture II 3.0
CT 380 Operating System Architecture III 3.0
CT 230 Web Development I 3.0
CT 240 Web Development II 3.0
CT 400 Network Security I 3.0
""
CT 395 IT Security I 3.0
CT 420 IT Security II 3.0
CT 491 Senior Project I 3.0
"
CT 496 Senior Project II 3.0

Concentration in Computing Technology
""""""
Computing Technology Concentration requirements
24.0 Credits
""
CT 100 Microcomputer Hardware 3.0
""
CT 120 Microcomputer Operating System 3.0
""
CT 220 Database I 3.0
""
CT 370 OO Systems Analysis 3.0
""
CT 375 Database II 3.0
""
CT 425 Database III 3.0
""
CT 290 OO Client Side Programming 3.0
""
CT 431 Project Management 3.0
""
""
""
Computing Technology electives
9.0
""
Students select three (3) of the following courses:
""
CT 385 Web Development III 3.0
CT 392 Web Development IV 3.0
CT 390 OO Server Side Programming 3.0
CT 405 OO Enterprise Programming 3.0
CT 410 Linux III 3.0
CT 430 Database IV 3.0
CT 435 Database V 3.0
CT 438 Database VI 4.0
CT 388 Special Topics in Computing Technology I 4.0
CT 389

Special Topics in Computing Technology II
4.0

I'd appreciate any information you can give. :) Thanks!

Edited by TheScott because: n/a
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  • Latest Post Latest Post by jephthah

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Short answer for : Computing & Security Technology (CT) is a hands-on, systems-oriented path — think servers, Linux, networking and protecting systems — while IS/IT degrees typically emphasize information flow, business applications, databases and systems integration. That means CT will train you to run and secure infrastructure; IS/IT leans more to designing or managing business-facing systems and sometimes more theory. (asuonline.asu.edu)

Against your four goals: CT maps very well to #1 (self-employed ops/consulting) and #4 (employable IT skills) because it teaches the platforms you’ll troubleshoot and host. For #2 (medium web development) and #3 (basic programming) you’ll need to make sure the program (or your electives) include server-side programming, databases, and web frameworks — otherwise plan to fill those gaps with focused learning and projects. Building a portfolio of live sites and deployable projects will often matter more to clients and many hiring paths than the exact degree title. (bls.gov)

Practical path options tied to ’s point: if you want to start earning fast, an associate/AAS or certificate-plus-self-study route can be faster and cheaper than a four‑year BS. If you choose CT (or an AAS), deliberately add web-development projects and vendor-neutral certs employers respect — for example CompTIA Security+ for security basics and Cisco’s CCNA for networking fundamentals — and consider a Linux cert for server work. Those credentials plus solid, deployed projects speed hiring and freelance trust. (comptia.org)

Actionable next steps: decide whether you want “hands-on ops/security” (CT/AAS + certs + projects) or “deeper programming” (CS/IS with strong programming electives). Whichever you pick, spend time building 3–5 real, hosted projects (live demos + GitHub + short case studies), learn deployment and version control, and hunt small freelance jobs to build references. That combo will make you both freelance-capable and employable.

Member Avatar for jephthah

sounds like you should go for a 2-year certificate program or AAS degree rather than a BS, since you seem more of a hands-on guy who wants to get busy right away. the entrepreneurial aspects of what you want to do aren't going to be helped by a 4 year degree, especially in the IT/IS arena

BS degrees will get you bogged down in theory and extraneous stuff. now this is great if you wnat to be an engineer, or have plans to carry on to a Masters degree, but for the IT/IS field, all the 4 year degrees really get you is deeper in debt for student loans. all you really need to know for IT/IS can be taught in a couple years anyhow. the rest is on-the-job experience

be careful of the online programs. a lot of people have bad experiences.

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