Curriculum: Application Software Support Specialist Certificate

This course covers the use of the microcomputer ina professional environment with a focus on the innovative use of this technology. Students will use decision making tools to assist them in their work or personal environment (including assessing the opportunities and potential issues with the use of technology). The course focuses on technology; history of technology; components of the PC; the Internet; application software including spreadsheet, database, presentation, andWeb technologies. Ethical issues are discussed.

Information Systems (IS)-and the enabling digital technologies-constitute integral and critical resources for all aspects of a business, from operational efficiency and managerial decision making, to the implementation of transformative business strategies. Businesses spend over $1 trillion annually on technology and related information systems. This course is designed to help students develop a working knowledge of digital technologies, to understand business opportunities created by digital technologies, and to gain awareness of how organizations leverage digital technologies to improve organizational processes and enhance related business strategies.The course also has a hands-on component-students will develop specific competencies in using spreadsheet, database, and web development tools to make informed business and financial decisions.

This course is an introduction to the field of Information Technology including technology concepts, terminology, hardware components and software applications. Students will be introduced to and asked to apply basic skills in the core areas of information technology such as programming, database management, networking, systems administration, and web development and the basic research, problem solving and decision making skills required to be successful in this field. The course emphasizes the role of technical communication, project management, languages, tools, models and application architectures within the IT development process.

The course covers modern Web standards, well-formed and valid documents, Semantic XHTML/HTML, User-Centered Design of Static Web Sites, Styling and layout of Web documents with CSS, common tools for Web Site development. Emphasis is on coding syntactically correct Web documents using an engineering design perspective focused on functionality over visual design. Additionally, the course covers a variety of basic XML technologies for data representation and transformation. Hands-on active learning required.

This course provides an introduction and overview of software tools and techniques for creating digital media including text, images, sound, video, and interactive media. The focus is on using multimedia to communicate technical information effectively to technical and non-technical audiences. Hands-on active learning required.

Hands-on course that covers intermediate skills associated with spreadsheet software. The course consists of examination of spreadsheets concepts, planning, modifying and creating spreadsheets and charts, and applying knowledge to solve business problems.

This course focuses on the fundamental principles of data analysis, visual presentation, chart types and how to acquire and process data. The course will present a variety of methods to gather data, analyze data, and visually present data.