The computer technology program transforms students into technology leaders in a sustainable global economy. This is achieved by presenting students with a strong foundation in the concepts, theories, and practices that serve as the basis for the varying aspects of information technology. This includes the design, implementation, and adminstration of secured systems and networks. Students have the opportunity to develope expertise in specialty areas of interest through electives in higher level technology courses.
Since the purpose of information technology is to facilitate the goals and objecties of a business or organization, students are required to complete the Minor in Business Administration. With an understanding of how organizations operate, students will be able to move effectively design systems and networks that will support the needs of the business or organization.
To gain real-world experience in today's computer environments, you are also required to complete an internship.
In information technology, an application is a computer
program designed to help people perform an activity. An application thus
differs from an operating system (which runs a computer), a utility (which
performs maintenance or general-purpose chores), and a programming tools (with
which computer programs are created). Depending on the activity for which it
was designed, an application can manipulate text, numbers, graphics, or a
combination of these elements. Some application packages offer considerable
computing power by focusing on a single task, such as word processing; others,
called integrated software, offer somewhat less power but include several applications.[3]
User-written software tailors systems to meet the user's specific needs.
User-written software includes spreadsheet templates, word processor macros,
scientific simulations, graphics and animation scripts. Even email filters are
a kind of user software. Users create this software themselves and often
overlook how important it is.
The delineation between system software such as operating
systems and application software is not exact, however, and is occasionally the
object of controversy. For example, one of the key questions in the United
States v. Microsoft antitrust trial was whether Microsoft's Internet Explorer
web browser was part of its Windows operating system or a separable piece of
application software. As another example, the GNU/Linux naming controversy is,
in part, due to disagreement about the relationship between the Linux kernel
and the operating systems built over this kernel. In some types of embedded
systems, the application software and the operating system software may be indistinguishable
to the user, as in the case of software used to control a VCR, DVD player or
microwave oven. The above definitions may exclude some applications that may
exist on some computers in large organizations. For an alternative definition
of an app: see Application Portfolio Management.
In recent years, the shortened term "app" (coined
in 1985[4]) has become particularly popular to refer to applications for mobile
devices such as smartphones and tablets, the shortened form matching their
typically smaller scope in relation to applications used by PCs.
There are many types of application software:
- - An application suite consists of multiple
applications bundled together. They usually have related functions, features
and user interfaces, and may be able to interact with each other, e.g. open
each other's files. Business applications often come in suites, e.g. Microsoft
Office, LibreOffice and iWork, which bundle together a word processor, a
spreadsheet, etc.; but suites exist for other purposes, e.g. graphics or music.
- - Enterprise software addresses the needs of an
entire organization's processes and data flow, across most all departments,
often in a large distributed environment. (Examples include financial systems,
customer relationship management (CRM) systems and supply chain management
software). Departmental Software is a sub-type of enterprise software with a
focus on smaller organizations and/or groups within a large organization.
(Examples include travel expense management and IT Helpdesk.)
- - Enterprise infrastructure software provides
common capabilities needed to support enterprise software systems. (Examples
include databases, email servers, and systems for managing networks and security.)
- - Information worker software lets users create
and manage information, often for individual projects within a department, in
contrast to enterprise management. Examples include time management, resource
management, documentation tools, analytical, and collaborative. Word
processors, spreadsheets, email and blog clients, personal information system,
and individual media editors may aid in multiple information worker tasks.
- - Content access software is used primarily to
access content without editing, but may include software that allows for
content editing. Such software addresses the needs of individuals and groups to
consume digital entertainment and published digital content. (Examples include
media players, web browsers, and help browsers.)
- - Educational software is related to content
access software, but has the content and/or features adapted for use in by
educators or students. For example, it may deliver evaluations (tests), track
progress through material, or include collaborative capabilities.
- - Simulation software simulates physical or
abstract systems for either research, training or entertainment purposes.
- - Media development software generates print and
electronic media for others to consume, most often in a commercial or
educational setting. This includes graphic-art software, desktop publishing
software, multimedia development software, HTML editors, digital-animation
editors, digital audio and video composition, and many others.[10]
- - Product engineering software is used in
developing hardware and software products. This includes computer-aided design
(CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE), computer language editing and
compiling tools, integrated development environments, and application
programmer interfaces.
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