Can someone look over the curriculum for this major & give me your thoughts? Computing & Security Technology - Offered by Drexel

Question

My goal is to become a good web developer. I'm interested in learning how to build complex websites as well as how to write web applications. I want skills that will enable me to write apps for <--insert hottest web trend here--> (Facebook & iphone apps for example)

This is one of my goals as far as Tech. is concerned. I'd also like to have a brod knowledge of different areas of IT.

I'm looking into majoring in "Computing & Security Technology". The program is offered by Drexel in conjunction with my CC. It's a 4 year degree.

Can someone take a look @ the pdf below. It outlines every course I must take.

http://www.drexelatbcc.org/academics/PDF/CST_CT.pdf

For degree requirments w/ links to course descriptiongs see drexel.edu/catalog/degree/ct.htm

With electives I can go up to Web Development 4.

Based on my goals of Web development & wanting a well rounding education in information technology, what do you think of the curriculum?

How will I fare entering the job market with this degree? My goals here are a little different. I'd like to work for 2 to 3 companies over the course of 6-7 years. Working with and learning different areas of IT. I'd like to stay with a company an average of 2-3 years before moving on.

My end goal is to go into business for myself (IT related).

I appreciate any and all advice the community here can give me! :)

Could someone also explain to me their interpretation of this major? thanks!

P.S. I already know XHTML & CSS. I am just now starting to experiment with PHP.

Answer 1

My suggestion to you would be to track down graduates and ask them about the program. Recent graduates if you can. The school should be able to provide you with some references.

If the college has a portfolio review for graduates you could go to that and try to talk to several of the graduates. At one college I teach at, they rent out a convention center and all graduates have the opportunity to present their portfolio (senior project). It is a great opportunity to see the type of work graduates complete and to ask them questions about the program.

You may want to consider the technologies they teach. It seems they teach Oracle exclusively for their database classes. If you think you might use Oracle then that is great, but if you might use SQL Server or MySQL then you might have to learn those on your own.

Same with the programming languages. I can't tell what they focus on for that. It seems that each class is a bit different. I saw mention of Java, ASP and Visual Basic.

Another thing to think about...I do not see much focus on the design aspect of web development. This program seems focused on server administration, database and some programming. Do you plan on designing sites yourself? If so you may want to consider a program that focuses a bit more on the design side of things and less on the server administration.

You mentioned Facebook and iPhone applications. Having taught at the college level, my experience is that they are slow to catch on to new technologies.

As far as entering the job market. It really isn't so much about your degree as it is in your actual work. You are not going to get a job just because you have a degree. The degree will help, but ultimately the quality of your work will get you a job.

Knowing what I know today, these are the things that I would want to learn:

• HTML/CSS - strong emphasis
• JavaScript (jQuery in particular)
• AJAX - this goes along with JavaScript
• Fundamentals of Programming
• Web Programming: PHP, ASP.NET, Ruby on Rails or Java
• More advanced programming topics - Object oriented programming, unit testing, etc
• Database systems - learn the basics of relational database design. I would also want to learn the particulars of MySQL and SQL Server.
• Social Networking
• Mobile app development - iPhone or Android
• Project Management
• Design - using Photoshop
• Basic server administration: Windows and or Linux, including web server administration (IIS or Apache)

Good luck!