Academic Catalog

Computer Science/Information Technology, Associate in Applied Science

Program Description 

This career program prepares students for entry-level positions in a multitude of computer-related jobs. Both computer scientists and information technologists need a balance of software and hardware applications with specific courses emphasizing effective problem solving. The software development process, (composing and coordinating component of a program) requires that students construct algorithms for problem solving with appropriate documentation. This curriculum has been designed to prepare the student to meet the future needs of integration, design, deployment, and management of computing, resources and services. A graduate of the program will have a firm understanding of modern programming practices and related skills in computer information technology. The department recommends the following minimal criteria for prospective students in the Computer Science/Information Technology program:

1. High school diploma or equivalent

2. Cumulative high school grade point average of C or above

3. Ranked in top half of high school graduating class

4. No developmental studies requirement

The AAS in Computer Science offers the following concentrations:

  • Information Technology
  • Cloud Computing
  • Data Management
  • Networking
  • Programming

Transfer Information

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees are intended to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce. The NJ Statewide Transfer Agreement does not guarantee the transfer of credit/coursework when a student earns an AAS degree and continues on to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor's degree. Students are encouraged to work closely with OCC faculty and Advising Transfer Services. Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution in NJ can explore the “Transfer Programs” feature on NJ Transfer www.njtransfer.org.

Career Information

The Associate of Applied Science Degrees are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to start employment upon graduation. Several of the A.A.S. degrees provide the opportunity for the student to gain work experience by offering internship credit. These degrees are usually technical in nature and prepare the student for certification and licensing exams necessary to work in their field of choice. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with OCC faculty and Career Services as they begin to explore career options. OCC students can also utilize Focus2 Career, a resource provided by OCC, to explore degree programs and corresponding careersTo get started, log in through Ocean Connect.

Students are encouraged to keep track of degree requirements by using the “My Progress” screen on Student Planning. Student Planning can be accessed via logging into Ocean Connect.

Program Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredit Hours
ENGL 151 English I 3
Select one of the following: 3
A Survey of Mathematics
Finite Mathematics
Introduction to Probability
or Higher than MATH 181
CSIT 165 Programming I 4
Humanities Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
Social Science Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
ENGL 152 English II 3
CSIT 166 Programming II 4
CSIT 176 Computer Organization & Architecture 3
Computer Science/Information Technology Program Electives 6
 Credit Hours16
Third Semester
Computer Science/Information Technology Program Electives 6
Lab Science Gen. Ed. Requirement 4
COMM 154 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3
Social Science or Humanities Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Fourth Semester
CSIT 213 Database Management 3
Computer Science/Information Technology Program Electives 6
Business Studies Elective 3
 Credit Hours12
 Total Credit Hours60

 Computer Science/Information Technology Electives

Students can choose any CSIT course (CSIT 115 or higher). Students are not required to select a specific area of interest/concentration.

Suggested Business Studies Electives

ACCT 161Principles of Accounting I3
BUSN 131Introduction to Business Administration3
BUSN 134Principles of Marketing3

Cloud Computing Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredit Hours
ENGL 151 English I 3
Select one of the following 3
A Survey of Mathematics
Finite Mathematics
Introduction to Probability
or Higher than MATH 181
CSIT 165 Programming I 4
Humanities Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
Social Science Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
ENGL 152 English II 3
CSIT 166 Programming II 4
CSIT 176 Computer Organization & Architecture 3
Computer Science/Cloud Computing Program Electives 6
 Credit Hours16
Third Semester
Computer Science/Cloud Computing Program Electives 6
COMM 154 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3
Humanities or Social Science Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
Lab Science Gen. Ed. Requirement 4
 Credit Hours16
Fourth Semester
CSIT 213 Database Management 3
Computer Science/Cloud Computing Program Electives 6
Business Studies Elective 3
 Credit Hours12
 Total Credit Hours60

Computer Science/Cloud Computing Elective

CSIT 144Introduction to Operating System Using Unix3
CSIT 168Introduction to Python Programming2
CSIT 185Networking I3
CSIT 186Networking II3
CSIT 265Data Structures and Analysis4
CSIT 277Introduction to Cloud Computing4

Business Studies Electives

ACCT 161Principles of Accounting I3
BUSN 131Introduction to Business Administration3
BUSN 134Principles of Marketing3

Data Management Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredit Hours
ENGL 151 English I 3
MATH 171 or Higher 3
CSIT 165 Programming I 4
Humanities Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
Social Science Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
ENGL 152 English II 3
CSIT 166 Programming II 4
CSIT 176 Computer Organization & Architecture 3
Computer Science/Data Management Program Electives 6
 Credit Hours16
Third Semester
CSIT 213 Database Management 3
Computer Science/Data Management Program Electives 3
COMM 154 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3
Humanities or Social Science Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
Lab Science Gen. Ed. Requirement 4
 Credit Hours16
Fourth Semester
Computer Science/Data Management Program Electives 9
Business Studies Elective 3
 Credit Hours12
 Total Credit Hours60

Computer Science/Data Management Electives

CSIT 144Introduction to Operating System Using Unix3
CSIT 168Introduction to Python Programming2
CSIT 185Networking I3
CSIT 200Information Security Fundamentals3
CSIT 265Data Structures and Analysis4
CSIT 275Data Management Analytics3

Business Studies Electives

ACCT 161Principles of Accounting I3
BUSN 131Introduction to Business Administration3
BUSN 134Principles of Marketing3

Networking Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredit Hours
ENGL 151 English I 3
MATH 171 or Higher 3
CSIT 165 Programming I 4
Humanities Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
Social Science Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
ENGL 152 English II 3
CSIT 166 Programming II 4
CSIT 176 Computer Organization & Architecture 3
Computer Science/Networking Program Electives 6
 Credit Hours16
Third Semester
Computer Science/Networking Program Electives 6
COMM 154 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3
Humanities or Social Science Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
Lab Science Gen. Ed. Requirement 4
 Credit Hours16
Fourth Semester
CSIT 213 Database Management 3
Computer Science/Networking Program Electives 6
Business Studies Elective 3
 Credit Hours12
 Total Credit Hours60

Computer Science/Networking Electives

CSIT 144Introduction to Operating System Using Unix3
CSIT 168Introduction to Python Programming2
CSIT 185Networking I3
CSIT 186Networking II3
CSIT 200Information Security Fundamentals3
CSIT 115 or Higher4

Business Studies Electives

ACCT 161Principles of Accounting I3
BUSN 131Introduction to Business Administration3
BUSN 134Principles of Marketing3

Programming Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredit Hours
ENGL 151 English I 3
MATH 171 or Higher 3
CSIT 165 Programming I 4
Humanities Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
Social Science Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
ENGL 152 English II 3
CSIT 166 Programming II 4
CSIT 176 Computer Organization & Architecture 3
Computer Science/Programming Program Electives 6
 Credit Hours16
Third Semester
Computer Science/Programming Program Electives 6
COMM 154 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3
Humanities or Social Science Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
Lab Science Gen. Ed. Requirement 4
 Credit Hours16
Fourth Semester
CSIT 213 Database Management 3
Computer Science/Programming Program Electives 6
Business Studies Elective 3
 Credit Hours12
 Total Credit Hours60

Computer Science/Programming Electives

CSIT 168Introduction to Python Programming2
CSIT 185Networking I3
CSIT 186Networking II3
CSIT 200Information Security Fundamentals3
CSIT 212Systems Analysis3
CSIT 265Data Structures and Analysis4

Business Studies Electives

ACCT 161Principles of Accounting I3
BUSN 131Introduction to Business Administration3
BUSN 134Principles of Marketing3