Course Catalog

Computer Support Specialist, Diploma (CS14) Diploma

Campus Locations: Valdosta, Ben Hill Irwin, Online

Curriculum Update

The credit hours for CIST 2130 Desktop Support Concepts will increase from 3 to 4, effective Summer 2025. Students who complete CIST 2130 before this change will still complete the original 3 credit hour course.

The Computer Information Systems – Computer Support Specialist program is a sequence of courses designed to provide students with an understanding of the concepts, principles, and techniques required in computer information processing. Graduates are to be competent in the general areas of humanities or fine arts, social or behavioral sciences, and natural sciences or mathematics, as well as in the technical areas of computer terminology and concepts, program design and development, and computer networking. Program graduates are qualified for employment as computer support specialist.

This program qualifies for the HOPE Career Grant.

Program Outcomes: This program equips students with the skills to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair computer systems and peripherals. They learn to document, upgrade, and replace hardware and software, while prioritizing tasks efficiently. Emphasis is placed on implementing quality assurance standards and procedures to ensure high-quality work. Students also develop strong communication skills and demonstrate effective problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and judgment in the field of computer systems and technology.

Careers: Computer Support Specialist

Length of Program: 4 Terms

Admission Requirements:

General College Admissions and Placement

Gainful Employment Information

Curriculum Outline (56 hours)

General Core Courses	8
ENGL 1010Fundamentals of English I Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Diploma Level Reading and Writing Scores OR READ 0090 and/or ENGL 0090 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.	3
MATH 1012Foundations of Mathematics Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Diploma Level Math Scores or MATH 0090 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, geometric concepts, technical applications, and basic statistics.	3
EMPL 1000Interpersonal Relations & Professional Development Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes human relations and professional development in today's rapidly changing world that prepares students for living and working in a complex society. Topics include human relations skills, job acquisition skills and communication, job retention skills, job advancement skills, and professional image skills.	2

Occupational Courses	48
CIST 1001Computer Concepts Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Provides an overview of information systems, computers and technology. Topics include: Information Systems and Technology Terminology, Computer History, Data Representation, Data Storage Concepts, Fundamentals of Information Processing, Fundamentals of Information Security, Information Technology Ethics, Fundamentals of Hardware Operation, Fundamentals of Networking, Fundamentals of the Internet, Fundamentals of Software Design Concepts, Fundamentals of Software, (System and Application), System Development Methodology, Computer Number Systems conversion (Binary and Hexadecimal), Mobile computing.	4
CIST 1130Operating Systems Concepts Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Provides an overview of modern operating systems and their use in home and small business environments. Activities will utilize the graphical user interface (GUI) and command line environment (CLI This will include operating system fundamentals; installing, configuring, and upgrading operating systems; managing storage, file systems, hardware and system resources; troubleshooting, diagnostics, and maintenance of operating systems; and networking.	3
CIST 1305Program Design and Development Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None An introductory course that provides problem solving and programming concepts for those that develop user applications. An emphasis is placed on developing logic, troubleshooting, and using tools to develop solutions. Topics include: problem solving and programming concepts, structured programming, the four logic structures, file processing concepts, and arrays.	3
CIST 1122Hardware Installation and Maintenance Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course serves to provide students with the knowledge of the fundamentals of computer technology, networking, and security along with the skills required to identify hardware, peripheral, networking, and security components with an introduction to the fundamentals of installing and maintaining computers. Students will develop the skills to identify the basic functionality of the operating system, perform basic troubleshooting techniques, utilize proper safety procedures, and effectively interact with customers and peers. This course is designed to help prepare students for the CompTIA A+ certification examination.	4
CIST 1601Information Security Fundamentals Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None This course provides a broad overview of information security. It covers terminology, history, security systems development and implementation. Student will also cover the legal, ethical, and professional issues in information security.	3
COMP 1000Introduction to Computer Literacy Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture -1.667; Lab – 2.667 Pre-Requisites: None Co-Requisite: None This course introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include introductions to computer and digital terminology and usage, operating systems, Internet and digital communication, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database applications, and presentation applications. Please note that this course may not transfer to a 4-year institution. Students should check with their transferring institution for transferability of courses. COMP 2000 may be taken in place of COMP 1000 if it is required by a transferring institution.	3
Select THREE CIS Elective Courses	12
Select One Introductory Networking Course	4
CIST 1401Computer Networking Fundamentals Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Introduces networking technologies and prepares students to take the CompTIA's broad-based, vendor independent networking certification exam, Network +. This course covers a wide range of material about networking, including local area networks, wide area networks, protocols, topologies, transmission media, and security. Focuses on operating network management systems, and implementing the installation of networks. It reviews cabling, connection schemes, the fundamentals of the LAN and WAN technologies, TCP/IP configuration and troubleshooting, remote connectivity, and network maintenance and troubleshooting. Topics include: basic knowledge of networking technology, network media and topologies, network devices, network management, network tools and network security.	4
CIST 2441Network Home and Small Business Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course teaches students the skills needed to obtain entry-level home network installer jobs. It also helps students develop some of the skills needed to become network technicians, computer technicians, cable installers, and help desk technicians. It provides a hands-on introduction to networking and the Internet using tools and hardware commonly found in home and small business environments. Instructors are encouraged to facilitate field trips and outside-the-classroom learning experiences. Labs include PC installation, Internet connectivity, wireless connectivity, and file and print sharing.	4
CIST 2451Cisco Network Fundamentals Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course provides students with classroom and laboratory experience in current and emerging network technology. Topics include basics of communication, converged networks, OSI and TCP/IP network models, Application layer protocols, services, and applications, Transport layer protocols and services, Network layer addressing and routing concepts, IPv4 and IPv6, calculating IPv4 subnets, Data Link layer and the encapsulation process, Physical layer components and data encoding, Ethernet and network protocol analysis, network cabling, and basic network configuration.	4
Select ONE Guided Office Productivity Course	4
CIST 1200Database Management Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Provides an overview of the skills and knowledge of database application systems which are used in business government and industry. Topics include: history, database terminology and concepts, database system logical organization, data manipulation, database design concepts, models, normalization, Entity Relationship diagramming, physical database, networking and databases, and database security.	4
CIST 2120Using Application Software Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 6 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): COMP 2000 or COLL 1010 Co-requisite(s): None This course provides students with knowledge in the following areas: word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software. Word processing topics include creating, customizing, and organizing documents by using formatting and visual content that is appropriate for the information presented. Spreadsheet topics include creating and manipulating data, formatting data and content, creating and modifying formulas, presenting data visually, and collaborating on and securing data. Presentation topics include creating and formatting presentation masters and templates, creating and formatting slide content, working with dynamic visual content, and collaborating on and delivering presentations. This course is designed to help prepare students for the Microsoft Certification tests in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.	4
Select ONE Database Elective Course	4
CIST 1220Structured Query Language (SQL) Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Includes basic database design concepts and solving database retrieval and modification problems using the SQL language. Topics include: database Vocabulary, Relational Database Design, Date retrieval using SQL, Data Modification using SQL, Developing and Using SQL Procedures.	4
CIST 2222Administering Microsoft SQL Server Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): (CIST 1220 or CIST 1210) and CIST 2414 Co-requisite(s): None Provides instruction on how to administer a Microsoft SQL server. Topics include: planning, installation and configuration, configuring and managing security, managing and maintaining data, monitoring and optimization, and troubleshooting.	4
CIST 2224Designing and Implementing Databases w/ Microsoft Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): CIST 1220 Co-requisite(s): None Shows how to design and implement a database solution using Microsoft SQL Server. Topics include: developing logical data model and physical design, creating data services, creating physical database, and maintaining a database.	4
Select ONE Concepts or Project Management Course	4
CIST 2130Desktop Support Concepts [Ends Spring 2025] Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None This course is designed to give an overview to Desktop Support Management.	3
CIST 2130Desktop Support Concepts [Begins Summer 2025] Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture – 1 Regular Lab – 4 Other Lab – 1 Total – 6 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None This course is designed to give an overview to Desktop Support Management.	4
CIST 2921IT Analysis, Design, and Project Management Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None IT Analysis, Design, and Project Management will provides a review and application of systems life cycle development methodologies and project management. Topics include: Systems planning, systems analysis, systems design, systems implementation, evaluation, and project management.	4