Not Applicable.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Certificate of Completion in Networking at Rio Salado College is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills required for employment in the networking field of computer information systems.  The program provides information and training on the use, application, and technological developments of computers in a rapidly changing environment with emphasis on Local Area Networks (LANs), computer setup and maintenance, and advanced operating systems.

PROGRAM COMPETENCIES

• Define terms related to microcomputer usage and applications.
• Identify microcomputer hardware and software components.
• Apply microcomputer operation skills: care and handling of diskettes, powering up the computer, keyboarding (required speed development: 25 words per minute), and powering down the computer.
• Evaluate and select microcomputer hardware and software for specific applications.
• Describe basic graphics, sound, process control, and other special capabilities of a microcomputer.
• Demonstrate skills for using commercial software programs including electronic spreadsheets, micro word processing, and database management.
• Demonstrate use of a computer operating system.
• Use suitable software to generate charts, graphs and graphics for business use.
• Explain and use various Internet communication, resource discovery and information retrieval tools.
• Demonstrate the ability to set-up and install hardware and software on a personal computer and diagnose basic hardware and software problems.
• Explain technical aspects of the computer including the system setup and basic hardware/software configuration troubleshooting.
• Describe basic computer architecture.
• Demonstrate installation and troubleshooting techniques.
• Demonstrate the process for configuring and enhancing a computer system to optimize performance.
• Install and configure microcomputer software.
• Diagnose problems with microcomputer operating systems and application software.
• Demonstrate advanced use of an operating system.
• Identify current issues, terminology and products related to local area networks.
• Investigate, analyze, design, implement and evaluate business computer systems.
• Describe the role of the systems analyst and his/her typical responsibilities to the total business field.
• Investigate the needs and requirements of a local area network including hardware and software.

For the complete alignment of program competencies visit Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation (CCTA).

Assessments in the individual courses are tied to lesson objectives as well as course competencies. They include both subjective and objective assessments that challenge students to demonstrate their skill level. Summative assessments (midterm and final exams) are designed to have students apply their knowledge and understanding of key concepts and think critically about how those concepts can be applied to real-life situations.

For the CCL in Networking, final assessments/projects for BPC125, BPC170, BPC225, BPC278, CIS122AE, CIS190, CIS225 and CIS240 were pulled from RioLearn/Perception, Rio's online grading tool. Of all students in the program who earned a CCL degree during Fiscal Years 2008, 2009 and 2010, the overall final exam/project pass rate for the eight classes was 97.37%. 

Not Applicable.