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The bachelor of technology degree in information security and assurance at Alfred State College is designed to prepare graduates to enter the work force as information security professionals with a special emphasis in network and host security, secure programming, and database applications. A four-course sequence in security is provided. The programming language sequence includes modern languages such as VB.NET, Java, and C++. In addition, students receive a sound foundation in Web development, networking, and microcomputer systems. The department has a Cisco-certified academy and the college has a Pearson Vue testing center. Students completing course work will have a strong foundation to obtain the following professional certifications: Cisco Certified Network Association (CCNA), CCNA Security, Security+, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, and Network+. Additional upper-level courses are provided in management, oral and written communication, and business. A full semester internship is included.
A laptop computer is required for students entering the information security and assurance program. See laptop specifications.
Required: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2/Trigonometry (Math A and B), SAT and/or ACT scores with a recommended combined SAT score of 1000 (critical reading and math) or a composite ACT score of 21.
Alfred State College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, 3624 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, (215) 662-5606.
Alfred State, as a college of technology, provides over 1,600 computers and a 2:1 student-to-computer ratio. The campus is equipped with a wireless network that allows students to have network access using personal laptops in and out of the classroom. The Information Technology Department maintains six computer labs which are upgraded regularly for use in providing hands-on training. The network administration program uses three of the labs to provide students with experience performing common networking tasks. Virtualization technology is used so that students can work with several "virtual computers" at one time. This gives each student the ability to create complex "virtual networks" using cutting-edge technology. Sixteen enterprise-class Cisco routers and switches are available for student use in the Cisco Academy lab. Alliances with Microsoft Corp. and VMware provide students with free software for educational use. Classroom instruction is enhanced by the use of computer projection equipment in all of the department's classrooms.
It is possible, with careful selection of courses, to transfer from a variety of associate degrees including computer information systems, computer technology, computer science, and others.
- 128 credit hours inclusive of physical education courses
- 39 credit hours in major field required courses
- 24 credit hours in professional courses
- 18 credit hours in core concentration
- 30 credit hours in liberal arts/general education courses
- a 2.5 grade point average in the major is needed for the required internship
- other requirements as stated in College academic regulations
- 8 general education areas are required, with 3 of 5 (art, language, other world civilizations, American history, or western civilization)
Organizations of all types and sizes need information technology professionals and emphasis on security has never been higher. The primary employment field includes security IT specialists, Virtual Private Network administrators, authentication specialists, database administrators, programmers, and system analysts. Due to the solid foundation in other areas, graduates will not be limited to these areas; thus, the job opportunities are wide and numerous.
Articulation agreements have been established with many community colleges and additional agreements are in development. It is possible, with careful selection of courses, to transfer from a variety of associate degrees, including computer information systems, information technology, computer science, and others. Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, students will be prepared to pursue a graduate degree in information technology. The computer information systems degree (AAS) at Alfred State College is especially well suited for transfer into this degree at the junior level.
Information Security and Assurance majors take 15 to 18 credit hours per semester and spend around 20 hours per week in the classroom or lab. Average class size is under 25 with most networking classes limited to 16. Most courses in the Information Technology Department consist of a 50-50 mix of classroom and lab instruction. Some students also meet with faculty during office hours and work on lab assignments during daytime and evening open lab hours. Many students are also involved in campus organizations, including the department's student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). Some students also gain valuable experience by working for the college's Technology Services Department.
| First Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CISY | 1023 | Intro to Information Tech. | 3 |
| CISY | 1123 | Intro to Computer Prog for IT OR | |
| CISY | 1113 | Intro to Computer Programming | 3 |
| xxx3 | Gen Ed Elective (Soc. Science) | 3 | |
| COMP | 1503 | Freshman Composition | 3 |
| xxx3 | Gen Ed Elective "Other" | 3 | |
| 15 | |||
| Second Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CISY | 4103 | Visual Programming & Dev. | 3 |
| CISY | 2143 | Micro Systems | 3 |
| LITR | 2603 | Intro to Literature** | 3 |
| MATH | xxx3 | College Algebra or above | 3 |
| CISY | 2153 | Database Appl. and Prog. I | 3 |
| HPED | xxx1 | Physical Education | 1 |
| 16 | |||
| Third Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CISY | 4033 | Networking I | 3 |
| CISY | 3223 | Web Page Development | 3 |
| MATH | 2124 | Statistics Methods & Analysis OR | |
| MATH | 1123 | Statistics I | 3-4 |
| xxx3 | Gen Ed "Other" | 3 | |
| ACCT | 1124 | Financial Accounting | 4 |
| 16-17 | |||
| Fourth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CISY | 4053 | Linux OS and Scripting | 3 |
| BUAD | 3153 | Fundamentals of Management | 3 |
| CISY | 5203 | Net Admin | 3 |
| SPCH | 1083 | Effective Speaking | 3 |
| CISY | 5723 | Ess of Info Security | 3 |
| xxx3 | Gen Ed "Other" | 3 | |
| 18 | |||
| Fifth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| COMP | 5703 | Technical Writing II | 3 |
| BUAD | 5003 | Management Communications | 3 |
| CISY | 7033 | Security Tools | 3 |
| xxx3 | Gen Ed "Natural Science" | 3 | |
| CISY | 7023 | Comp Forensics & Legal Issues | 3 |
| xxx3 | Professional Elective - Upper | 3 | |
| 18 | |||
| Sixth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CISY | 7003 | Project Management | 3 |
| CISY | 7013 | Network and Host Security | 3 |
| CISY | 5133 | Security Policies and Risk Management | 3 |
| xxx3 | Open Elective | 3 | |
| xxx3 | Open Elective | 3 | |
| xxx3 | Professional Elective - Upper | 3 | |
| 18 | |||
| Seventh Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CISY | 8703 | Info Sec Capstone OR | |
| CISY | 8303 | Software Op & Interoperability | 3 |
| CISY | 8603 | Seminar in Critical Issues in IT | 3 |
| xxx3 | Open Elective | 3 | |
| xxx3 | Professional Elective - Upper | 3 | |
| xxx3 | Liberal Arts - Upper | 3 | |
| 15 | |||
| Eighth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CISY | 8712 | Info Technology Internship**** | 12 |
| 12 | |||
Other social science elective to be selected from social science general education list (for example: sociology, psychology), as approved by adviser.
Social science elective to be selected from American history, western civilization, or other world civilization general education list.
**** GPA of 2.5 or higher required in major courses; GPA of 2.0 minimum overall; internship is student-initiated.
