Computer Information Systems

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Degree Descriptions

We offer several degrees in the Computer Information System area. The following is a short description of each degree to help you to make a decision on which degree is right for you.

Computer Application Specialist (CAS)
This degree is applicable to students that want to work in an office environment and be proficient in the software applications needed in today's office. Preparation for MOS certifications can be obtained through this degree.

Computer Information System (CIS)
This degree is for students that want to work in a computer environment and work with the computer applications as well as administer a network. This degree will concentrate more on computer applications and networking than on business office practices. Preparation for Microsoft certifications can be obtained through this degree. This degree will capstone to SIU through Information Systems Technology and Health Care Management.

Computer Support and Networking IST Capstone Option (CSN)
This degree will teach the students to build, repair, and troubleshoot a computer as well as how to design, troubleshoot and administer a network. This degree will capstone to SIU Information Systems Technology.

Information Systems and Accounting (ISA)
This degree will provide the student with the computer application skills needed to function in today's business environment along with a heavy emphasis in accounting. This degree is for the student interested in accounting and mastering computer applications such as; spreadsheet design, database management, presentation software, and web development.

Computer Information and E-Commerce (CIE)
This degree is for the student that is interested in combining the traditional discipline of marketing with the computer information arena. The student will learn skills needed to implement technologies that will encourage secure, efficient sales transactions online. The student will learn the art of sales and marketing as well as that of database management, spreadsheet analysis, web development, presentation graphics and information security.

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Capstone Degree Descriptions

These are degrees that have been articulated with SIU-C. When a student successfully graduates from an articulated JALC degree program, the student will then be able to graduate from SIU-C in the corresponding college with only 60 hours to take towards the four year degree.

Computer Information Systems (CIS)
This degree will capstone to SIU through Information Systems Technology and Health Care Management.

Computer Support and Networking IST Capstone Option (CSN)
This degree will capstone to SIU through Information Systems Technology.

Computer Application Specialist (CAS)
This degree will capstone to SIU through Information Systems Technology.

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Computer Certification Descriptions

Acquiring certification indicates an individual has the knowledge and expertise to perform at a specified level. Every technology professional can benefit from pursuing certification offered by a recognized industry organization. Several courses are offered to help prepare students to take a wide variety of certification exams.

CompTIA A+ Certification
This certification confirms a technician's ability to perform tasks such as installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance, and basic networking. The exam also covers domains such as security, safety and environmental issues and communication and professionalism. After completing the below classes successfully the student should be prepared to take the A+ exam.

• ELT 210 A+ Preparation Hardware Core
• ELT 214 A+ Preparation Operating Systems Core

CompTIA Net+
This certificate is vendor neutral and recognizes a technician's ability to describe the features and functions of networking components and to install, configure and troubleshoot basic networking hardware, protocols and services. After completing the below class successfully the student should be prepared to take the CompTIA Net+ exam.

• CIS 200 Networking Essentials
• CIS 250 Wireless Networking
• ELT 218 Introduction to Network Technologies

CompTIA Security+
This certification validates knowledge of communication security, infrastructure security, cryptography, operational security, and general security concepts. After completing the below classes successfully the student should have covered most topics on the CompTIA Security+ certification exam.

• CIS 208 - Information System Security
• CIS 250 - Wireless Networking

Windows Networking Certification
This certification will give the student the skills needed to administer a network using Microsoft networking software. After completing the below classes successfully the student should have covered the topics on the Windows Networking exam.

• CIS 200 - Networking Essentials
• CIS 206 - Managing Network Environments I
• ELT 218 Introduction to Network Technologies

Microsoft Application Specialist Certifications
These are certifications that can be obtained by mastering the various Microsoft software applications. We offer courses in the below areas. After completing the below courses successfully the student should be prepared to take the appropriate Microsoft exams.

• CIS 110 - Word Processing - Word
• CIS 120 & CIS 225  Database Management - Access
• CIS 104 & CIS 220 - Spreadsheet Design - Excel
• CIS 210 - Presentation Graphics  PowerPoint

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Advisement Information

Computer Advisement Areas

If you have not been advised by a CIS faculty advisor before, they will be more than happy to help you if you are interested in any of the Computer Information System areas. The degrees and certificates are listed below.

• Computer Information Systems
• Computer Application Specialist
• Information Systems and Accounting
• Computer Information & E-Commerce
• Computer Support and Networking IST Capstone Option

Advisement Items to Consider Before Registration

• Carla Bradley or Melanie Pecord (CIS Faculty Advisors) should be your advisor if you are a computer major.
• Arrange an advisement appointment with your CIS faculty Advisor.
• An advisement appointment can be arranged by signing the advisement appointment schedule located on Carla Bradley s office door (E229B) or Melanie Pecord s office door (C236B). The schedule will be posted a week before advisement starts each semester.
• Curriculum guides can be printed off the John A. Logan College web site.
• Study the curriculum guide for your major and ask if you don t understand something.
• Be aware of which classes have pre-requisites and which classes are only offered once a year.
• Check the Schedule of Classes and have an idea of when and what classes are being offered.
• Have a list of the classes you want to take and when you want to take them before your advisement appointment. Your advisor can verify the classes you should take. But, the individual section is your decision. Your advisor does not know what time choices work best for you.
• Evening students that are unable to take the advanced classes during the day should contact the instructor that is teaching the course.
• Be very careful if you are utilizing on-line registration. Talk with your advisor to make sure you are aware of pre-requisites, classes that are only offered once a year, and curricula changes.

Items to Consider While Planning Your Schedule

• Students can become overwhelmed by enrolling in too many hands-on computer classes in one semester.
• Students that do not have keyboarding skills should consider taking a keyboarding class.
• Students should be aware of classes that have pre-requisites. They are noted on the curriculum guide.
• Students should be aware that some of the CIS classes are only offered once a year. They are noted on the curriculum guide. Many times these classes have pre-requisites. Students should plan their schedules to accommodate this.
• Students should register early. Classes do close and many students need the classes to graduate. This is especially true for the classes that are only offered once a year.
• Students should take CIS 101, if required, during their first semester.
• CIS 230 is a class that will benefit the student to take early their curriculum.
• Students should not take on-line classes unless they are fully aware of what on-line classes entail. On-line classes are not easier than traditional classes. They are usually more difficult.
• Students should be familiar with computers before taking an on-line computer class.
• Students need to be sure that they have the correct software loaded on their home computer if they are taking an on-line computer class. This is VERY important.
• Students should be aware of the continual changes made to the computer area curricula. The best way to do this is to communicate with a CIS faculty advisor. Carla Bradley and Melanie Pecord are CIS faculty advisors.

Please have a tentative schedule made out before the appointment. Use the Class Schedule booklet to determine which classes are available and the appropriate curriculum guide to determine which classes you need. The curriculum guide can be found on the JALC website or in the College Catalog.

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Limited Course Offerings Listed by Semester

Online course offerings are listed in the Schedule of Classes.

CIS Curricula Limited Course Offerings Listed by Semester

Spring Semester Only	Fall Semester Only	Summer Semester
ACC 105	CIS 250	CIS 101
ACC 225	CIS 206	CIS 104
BUS 237	CIS 225	CIS 207
CIS 200	ELT 102	CIS 208 (Summer 2008 only)
CIS 208	ELT 214	ELT 210 (Summer 2008 only)
CIS 220	ELT 236	ELT 218 (Summer 2008 only)
CIS 245	MKT 130	MKT 113
ELT 200		BUS 110
ELT 210		BUS 116
MGT 116		BUS 117
MKT 224		BUS 235
MKT 228		BUS 138
MKT 251
MKT 295

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