FAQ pages at other campuses: Alexandria
Degree Questions Schedule Questions General Course Questions Programming Course Questions Networking Questions
Q. I've heard that changes are coming to the IST degree. Is that true?
A. Yes it is. We are running out of numbers to use for new courses in the prefix IST. Beginning in the Fall, 2004, we will no longer use the IST prefix and will switch to four prefixes. The foundation courses will be in ITE (IT - Essentials). Database and Design (web design) courses will be in ITD. Networking courses will be in ITN. And programming courses will be in ITP. Most courses will have new numbers within the new prefixes. We will also have many new courses that you will begin to see in the coming semesters.
Q. Will the degree requirements change too or is it just a translation to new prefixes and numbers?
A. There will be some slight changes to the degree requirements. IST 100 will no longer be required in the degree. A new placement test will need to be taken before registering for classes that currently require IST 100 as the pre-requisite (unless, of course, you have credit for IST 100). Students who don't pass the placement test will need to take IST 100, but students who do pass the test will not need to take that course. Many students who are recent high school graduates have already studied the material covered in IST 100 and we don't want them to have to repeat the content unnecessarily. In place of IST 100, the specializations will now require an additional IST course: Unix in the two networking specializations, database in the programming specialization, and a help center course in the microcomputer specialization.
Q. What are the specializations in the IST degree and what does it mean to have a specialization?
A. Beginning in Fall, 2001, the Information Systems Technology degree has four specializations: Microcomputer, Networking Administration, Network Engineering, and Software Development. Many of the degree requirements are the same for each of the specializations, but each of the four also has required courses that are not included in the other specializations. Think of it as a major in Information Systems Technology with an emphasis in the area of your specialization.
Q. What courses are included in all specializations?
A. The courses can be broken into three categories: general education courses, business support courses, and Information Systems Technology courses.
General Education courses: ENG 111 - English Composition I
ENG 115 or 116 or 112 - Technical Writing or
Writing for Business or English Composition II
SPD 110 - Intro to Speech Communication
MTH 151 - Math for the Liberal Arts I
STD elective
PED 116 - Lifetime Fitness and Wellness
PED elective (1 credit)
Social Sciences elective (6 credits) - selected from ECO,
GEO, HIS, PLS, PSY, SOC
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective (3 credits)
Business Support courses: BUS 100 - Introduction to Business
ACC 211 or BUS 200 - Principles of Accounting I or
Business Management
Information Systems Tech courses: Required in all Specializations:
IST 100 - Introduction to Information Systems
IST 117 - Introduction to Microcomputer Software
IST 153 - Computer Program Design
IST 212 - Introduction to Telecommunications
IST programming elective (any 4 credit programming course)
IST elective (3 credits) - anything with an IST prefix
Required in Microcomputer & Software Devel. Specializations:
IST 220 - Microcomputer Operating Sys., Architecture, & HW
IST 251 - Computer Information System Development
Q. Are there other IT programs available?
Yes, there is a new Network Security degree (beginning in Fall, 2004) and there are multiple certificate programs.
Q. I already have a previous degree. Do I still need to take all those general education courses and MTH 151?
A. Anyone who has completed an associate degree in arts or sciences (AA or AS) or a higher level degree will automatically be considered to have met all general education requirements except MTH. If your program included a mathematics course at the level of MTH 151 or higher, you will also be granted credit for the MTH 151 course.
Q. What courses are unique to each specialization?
A. Each specialization has three or four courses required in that specialization that are not required in the other specializations.
Software Development IST programming elective (any 4 credit programming course)
IST Advanced programming elective
(IST 262, 272, 274, 276, or 278)
IST 232 - Database Management
IST 293 - Studies in Software Development (or IST 290 Coordinated Internship)Microcomputer IST 123 - Spreadsheet Software I
IST 133 - Database Management Software
IST 216 - Personal Computer Hardware Troubleshooting
IST 250 - Information Center ManagementNetwork Administration IST 104 - Operating System & Software Utilities
IST 200 - Local Area Networks
IST 203 - Administration of Local Area Networks
IST 206 - Network Servicing
IST 208 - TCP/IP Protocols & Configurations
IST 216 - Personal Computer Hardware Troubleshooting
IST 293 - Studies in Network Administration (or IST 290 Coordinated Internship)Network Engineering IST 200 - Local Area Networks
TEL 150 - Internetworking I
TEL 151 - Internetworking II
TEL 250 - Internetworking III
TEL 251 - Internetworking IV
Q. What careers will each of the specializations prepare a student for?
A. The Software Development specialization will prepare you for a career as a programmer or programmer/analyst. You should choose the programming languages you take to prepare you for the type of programming and the company setting in which you would most like to work.
The Microcomputer specialization will prepare you for a career at a help desk from which you support many users with hardware and software questions.
The Network Administration specialization will prepare you for a career in local area networks. The electives you choose will help to determine the specific area in which you would be most qualified (e.g., a hardware-based networking technician vs. a software-based networking administrator).
The Network Engineering specialization will prepare you for a career in wide area networks.
Q. The networking degree keeps getting changed. Do I need to keep changing my course plan?
A. No, once you are officially placed in a degree program (by a counselor), you can follow the degree requirements that were in effect at the time you were placed in the program even if the college later changes the requirements. If you were taking courses, however, but never officially placed in the degree program, you will need to follow the changed requirements.
Q. How should a student choose the electives to be taken?
A. For both your general elective (which can be taken from any prefix offered at the college) and your IST elective (which must, of course, have an IST prefix), you have the choice of using the elective to increase your specific preparation in your chosen area, to support that preparation with a related field, or to take a completely unrelated course that is of interest to you. The college has no requirements for the general elective (other than it must be a course numbered 100 or above) so you are free to take anything you want. Choose a course that is interesting to you or that will help you in your chosen career.
Q. I've worked in the computer field for many years. Can I get credit for what I learned at work so that I don't need to take all the required courses?
A. There are three ways to get credit for work experience. You can test out of a course through two different means or demonstrate your knowledge through a portfolio and receive credit for the course. Currently, you can test out of IST 100 using the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). This program is a national testing program. Alexandria Campus is a testing center. You can get more information from the counseling center at any of the campuses. (IST 100 is the only IST course for which there is a CLEP test.) We hope soon (by January, 2004) to provide a local way to test out of IST 117 using the Assessment By Local Examination (ABLE) program. This will be a locally developed test through which you can demonstrate your mastery of the course objectives. Both of these testing methods would give you credit for the course if you earn a sufficient score on the test.
To demonstrate your knowledge through a portfolio, you must enroll in the Prior Learning Activity for Credit Evaluation (PLACE) program. The program requires you to complete the STD 298 (Seminar and Project PLACE Workshop) course to assist you in developing your portfolio. Your completed portfolio is evaluated by a faculty member who teaches the course in question for a recommendation of credit. You can earn up to 15 credits through the PLACE program.
Q. Do I really need to take IST 100 or take the CLEP test?
A. To complete the degree you must have credit for IST 100. In addition, IST 100 is a pre-requisite for many courses. You should either take IST 100 in the beginning of your program or test out of the course through the CLEP test early in your program. NOTE: IST 100 will not be a requirement for students following programs under the catalog beginning Fall, 2004.
Q. I'm not going for the degree, do I still need to worry about the pre-requisites?
A. Absolutely! The pre-requisites indicate the skills and knowledge that will be assumed in the given course. If you don't have that background, you have very little chance of success in the course. You do not need to have taken the pre-requisite courses at NVCC, but you must have gained the background understanding from courses at other schools or from other experience. Contact one of the IST faculty members if you believe you have the necessary background knowledge and need to have a pre-requisite waived.
Q. What is covered in IST 117?
A. IST 117 (Introduction to Microcomputer Software) introduces Windows (currently Windows 2000) and Microsoft Office (currently Office 2000). The course has four major sections: Windows, Word, Excel, and Access, but in addition it provides a brief introduction to PowerPoint and using the Internet. It is a hands-on course taught in the computer lab.
Q. I've heard that IST 117 is a fast-paced course. What if I'm not ready for that fast an introduction?
A. Although IST 117 does not assume any prior knowledge and beginners can be successful in the course, it is true that the course is fast-paced. Students who will have the time to do the hands-on exercises and who have the courage to jump in and work with the computer should not have difficulty completing the course regardless of their computing background. Students who want a slower introduction before beginning IST 117 can take IST 095 (Introduction to the Microcomuter for Novices). This course does not have any college credit and is intended as a non-threatening preparation for IST 117. Please note that it is offered only at the Loudoun Campus. Another option is the Loudoun Campus two-semester version of IST 117. This offering covers the same material as the one-semester version, but spreads the material over a two-semester period so students have more time. The two-semester version is offered each fall semester at Loudoun.
Q. What is the difference between IST 117 and the other application courses like IST 123 and IST 133?
A. IST 117 provides the foundation in using the microcomputer. IST 123 and 133 both assume that the student has the background from IST 117 and begin working in the specific application at that point. IST 123 teaches Excel and IST 133 teaches Access.
Q. What other courses in microcomputer applications do you teach?
A. At the Loudoun Campus, we offer IST 110 (Windows 2000) almost every semester and occasionally offer IST 120 (Excel) and other one-credit courses covering PowerPoint and Access. In each case, these one-credit courses over basically the same content for that application that would be presented in the full IST 117 course. The exception is the one-credit PowerPoint course which covers much more content than would be presented in the IST 117 course.
Q. What courses do you offer that cover the Internet?
A. We offer a one-credit course, IST 127, Survey of Internet Services and a three-credit course, IST 128, Introduction to Internet Services. Everything taught in the 127 course is covered in the 128 course, so a student should not take both of them. We also offer web design classes IST 129 and IST 226.
Q. Do I need to have access to a computer at home or work to take a hands-on computer course?
A. No, although many students do have access to their own computers, our computer lab is an open lab and you will be able to do all the needed work in the Loudoun Campus computer lab.
Q. Why is IST 153 a pre-requisite for all programming classes?
A. The IST 153 course (Computer Program Design) gives you the background to take a problem statement, break it down into organized tasks, and convert those tasks into a design from which a programmer could code a program. The course covers the tools and concepts of object oriented analysis and design (UML class diagrams, sequence diagrams, etc.) as well as the tools and concepts of structured design (pseudocode showing a variety of selections, loops, and sequences). All programming courses are taught with the assumption that the student has these skills so that those courses can concentrate on the coding and syntax requirements of the particular language.
Q. If I've already done programming, do I still need to take IST 153?
A. Many students have done some programming, but still do not have a good understanding of program design. Most students who have taught themselves a programming language do not have a good foundation in program design and will need to take IST 153. Very often students have learned a language on the job to meet the demands of some particular project, but they do not have a design foundation either. If you have a programming background and believe that you have an good design understanding, talk with an IST faculty member to see if it is appropriate for you to waive the IST 153 pre-requisite.
Q. What programming languages do you teach at Loudoun?
A. We teach three languages at Loudoun: C++, Visual Basic, and Java.
In C++, we offer a two-semester sequence in standard C++ as well as a sequence in Visual C++. The standard C++ sequence (after completing IST 153) is IST 156 (C++ Programming I) and IST 278 (Computer Programming: C++ Object Oriented Programming).
You could also take a sequence in Visual C++ after you have a foundation in standard C++. For this sequence, you would still need the IST 153 design pre-requisite, then the IST 156 (C++ Programming I), then you could take the two-semester sequence in Visual C++: IST 174 (Event-Driven Programming) and IST 274 (Event-Driven C++). Loudoun Campus is currently not teaching the Visual C++ sequence, but it is available at other campuses.
In Visual Basic, after completing IST 153, you could take IST 176 (Event-Driven Basic I) and then IST 276 (Event-Driven Basic II) to complete a two-semester sequence in Visual Basic.
In Java, after completing IST 153, you could take IST 149 (Java Programming I) and then IST 249 (Java Programming II) to complete a two-semester sequence in Java.
Q. Is IST 200 a hands-on course?
A. No, IST 200, Local Area Networks, is not hands-on. It is taught in a traditional lecture format.
Q. Is IST 203 a hands-on course?
A. Yes, IST 203, Administration of Local Area Networks, is taught in the networking lab at Loudoun Campus. The goal of the course is to give a generic foundation in network administration, but we use Microsoft 2000 as the demonstration network software. Other campuses may use different software but the goal of the course remains the same.
Q. Do you teach the courses needed for network certification?
A. No, we do not offer any work with Novell's NetWare software nor any courses specifically geared to Novell's CNA or CNE certifications. Although we are using Microsoft's 2000 software in our lab and the IST 203 and 206 courses cover material that would be included in the examinations, our courses are not specifically geared to preparation for the MCSE. Our mission is to provide the networking principles that you can use with any vendor package rather than to prepare you specifically to work with one vendor's software.
Q. Do you teach any courses in Cisco?
A. No, we are not offering any credit Cisco courses at the Loudoun Campus at this time. Other campuses are offering these courses in their credit programs and the Loudoun Campus Continuing Education program is offering non-credit Cisco courses
Q. Do you offer the Network Engineering degree at Loudoun?
A. No, at this time we do not have the lab facilities necessary to offer the wide area network courses.