Computer Science

Computer Programmer

A.A.S.

As a graduate of the Computer Programmer A.A.S. program, you will be equipped with the software programming and software engineering abilities to execute a wide variety of information technology projects. This degree is designed to give you the skills you need to head directly into the IT workforce.

As a student in this A.A.S. degree program, you will complete the Required Computer Programmer Core (27 credits), Program Electives (13 credits) and the General Education Curriculum (20 credits) for a credit total of 60.

Full-time schedule recommendation

See how to schedule your classes each semester to complete your degree in two years.

Full-Time Recommended Course of Study

Computer Science Program Planning Guide

2022-2023 Required Courses

Required Computer Programmer Core

Course #	Course Name	Credit(s)
ITC 2000	PC Hardware and Software (A+)	3
Course Outline Credits: 3 Presents an in-depth exposure to computer hardware and operating systems. Students learn the functionality of hardware and software components as well as suggested best practices in maintenance and safety issues. Students learn how to assemble and configure a computer, install operating systems and software, and troubleshoot hardware and software problems. This course helps students prepare for CompTIA's A+ certification exam, which covers the knowledge and skills essential for becoming a successful computer technician. Prerequisites: Placement into ENG 1108 or completion of both ENG 0099 and READ 0093/0094 with a grade of C or higher. Prerequisites: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Summer 2023 Fall 2023 Spring 2024
ITC 1480	Linux Essentials	3
Course Outline Credits: 3 Covers the fundamentals of the Linux operating system, command line interface, and essential open source software concepts. This course is designed for students new to Linux and takes a hands-on approach to exploring the day-to-day operation of a command line Linux system and is aligned to the LPIC Linux Essentials industry certification. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2023 Spring 2024
CS 1110	Computer Programming with Java	4
Course Outline Credits: 4 Focuses on the use of the Java language to provide a comprehensive introduction to fundamental programming concepts for students interested in exploring computer programming. Program logic, algorithm design, object-oriented programming, and fundamental programming structures are emphasized. Course activities focus on the use of Java to design, code, debug, and test programs of moderate complexity. Gaining knowledge of these concepts and techniques will prepare the student to develop programs to solve real-life problems. Prerequisites: MATH 1118 College Algebra I Corequisites: None Future Offering: Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Fall 2023 Spring 2024
CS 1117	Computer Programming with Python	4
Course Outline Credits: 4 Focuses on the use of the Python language to provide a comprehensive introduction to fundamental programming concepts for students interested in exploring computer programming. Program logic, algorithm design, object-oriented programming, and fundamental programming structures are emphasized. Course activities focus on the use of Python to design, code, debug, and test programs of moderate complexity. Gaining knowledge of these concepts and techniques will prepare the student to develop programs to solve real-life problems. Prerequisites: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: None Future Offering: Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Fall 2023 Spring 2024
CS 1119	Computer Programming with C++	4
Course Outline Credits: 4 Focuses on the use of the C++ language to provide a comprehensive introduction to fundamental programming concepts for students interested in exploring computer programming. Program logic, algorithm design, object-oriented programming, and fundamental programming structures are emphasized. Course activities focus on the use of C++ to design, code, debug, and test programs of moderate complexity. Gaining knowledge of these concepts and techniques will prepare the student to develop programs to solve real-life problems. Prerequisites: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: None Future Offering: Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Fall 2023 Spring 2024
CS 2200	Computer System Architecture	4
Course Outline Credits: 4 Explore the fundamentals of computer systems architecture as it relates to the execution of a program. This course will examine how memory and processors work and how programming fundamentals take advantage of the computer system architecture. The course will utilize assembly language and other tools to demonstrate the interaction of computer hardware and software. Prerequisites: CS 1119 Computer Programming with C++ CS 2300 Algorithms and Data Structures Corequisites: None Future Offering: Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Spring 2024
CS 2300	Algorithms and Data Structures	4
Course Outline Credits: 4 Introduces procedural and data abstraction. Includes elementary abstract data types including lists, stacks, queues, and their applications. Includes intermediate abstract data types including trees, priority queues, heaps, hash tables, and their applications. Topics also include recursion and graph theory. Prerequisites: CS 1110 Computer Programming with Java CS 1117 Computer Programming with Python CS 1119 Computer Programming with C++ MATH 1118 College Algebra I Corequisites: None Future Offering: Fall 2022 Fall 2023
ITC 2480	Administering Linux Servers	3
Course Outline Credits: 3 Learn about the installation, configuration and maintenance of Linux systems with an emphasis on server administration. A major focus of this course is learning the Linux command line interface for system administration tasks including basic scripting. Other topics involve providing network services such as containers, routing, firewalls, DNS, DHCP, and web servers to network clients. This course assumes you have basic familiarity with the Linux command line. It is strongly recommended you have completed ITC 1480 or a free online self-study Linux Essentials course to ensure your comfort with basic Linux usage before taking this course, contact the instructor or department before registering for details. Prerequisites: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: None Future Offering: Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Fall 2023 Spring 2024
Total Credits in Required Computer Programmer Core		29

Program Electives

Course #	Course Name	Credit(s)
	Any Computer Science course ‡
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
MATH 1119	College Algebra II Or higher	4
Course Outline Credits: 4 MNTC Goal Areas: 02, 04 Prepares students for Calculus I (MATH 1133) when taken in sequence with College Algebra I (MATH 1118). Topics include trigonometric functions and their graphs, trigonometric identities and applications, law of sines and cosines, solving trigonometric and parametric equations, conic sections, polar coordinates and graphing functions in polar form, vectors and the complex plane. Use of technology will be embedded throughout the course. Prerequisites: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Summer 2023 Fall 2023 Spring 2024
ITC 2000	PC Hardware and Software (A+) Or higher	3
Course Outline Credits: 3 Presents an in-depth exposure to computer hardware and operating systems. Students learn the functionality of hardware and software components as well as suggested best practices in maintenance and safety issues. Students learn how to assemble and configure a computer, install operating systems and software, and troubleshoot hardware and software problems. This course helps students prepare for CompTIA's A+ certification exam, which covers the knowledge and skills essential for becoming a successful computer technician. Prerequisites: Placement into ENG 1108 or completion of both ENG 0099 and READ 0093/0094 with a grade of C or higher. Prerequisites: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Summer 2023 Fall 2023 Spring 2024
PHIL 1120	Symbolic Logic	3
Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 02, 04 Uses propositional and predicate calculus to study deductive reasoning via the symbolic languages of propositional and predicate logic. Examines basic logical concepts (validity, logical truth, contradiction, entailment, equivalence), the symbolization of arguments expressed in natural language, and evaluates them via truth tables, formal proofs, or truth trees. This course is ideal for students interested in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or in pursuing further studies in philosophy. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Fall 2022
Total Credits in Program Electives		11

Liberal Arts Curriculum

Course #	Course Name	Credit(s)
ENG 1108	Writing And Research Skills	4
Course Outline Credits: 4 MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02 Provides instruction and practice in reading, researching, and writing for college. Prerequisites: Recommended by Accuplacer assessment or grade of C or higher in READ 93/94 and ENG/EAP 99. Prerequisites: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Summer 2023 Fall 2023 Spring 2024
COMM 1100	Interpersonal Communication	3
Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 07 Is a course that helps students recognize that we live and work in relationship with others and must communicate effectively with them to achieve our goals. This class helps students acquire the skills to effectively communicate with family members, intimate others, co-workers, friends, and acquaintances. After reviewing relevant interpersonal theory, students will examine and identify their own communication attitudes and behaviors. Students will also learn and apply techniques for improving communication in their relationships through active practice. Students will participate in multiple activities, both in and outside the classroom setting, to build their interpersonal communication skills. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.2000, Subp. 7, Standard 6C, D, F, & G. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Summer 2023 Fall 2023 Spring 2024
MATH 1118 MATH 1127	College Algebra I OR PreCalculus	5
College Algebra I Course Outline Credits: 4 MNTC Goal Areas: 02, 04 Prepares students for Calculus I (MATH 1133) when taken in sequence with MATH 1119 or for Survey of Calculus (MATH 1120). Topics include the study of algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions; graphing functions using transformations; inverse functions; polynomial, exponential, logarithmic equations; systems of linear and non-linear equations; applied problems; building models from data. Use of technology will be embedded throughout the course. Recommendation based on the results of the Inver Hills Assessment Test or grade of C or higher in MATH 0940 within the last 2 years. Prerequisites: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: MATH 0118 College Algebra Support Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Summer 2023 Fall 2023 Spring 2024 PreCalculus Course Outline Credits: 5 MNTC Goal Areas: 02, 04 Prepares students for Calculus I (MATH 1133). Topics include the study of algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions; graphing functions using transformations; inverse functions; polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric equations; applied problems; trigonometric identities. Time permitting, building models from data may be included. Use of technology will be embedded throughout the course. Recommendation based on the Inver Hills Assessment Test results or grade of B or higher in MATH 0940 within the last 2 years. Prerequisites: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Fall 2023 Spring 2024
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 5) †	3
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 6) †	3
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	Liberal Arts Elective(s) MnTC courses only	3
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
Total Credits in Liberal Arts Curriculum		20

Total Credits:

† Select General Education electives from specified MnTC goal area or from any MnTC goals if none specified.
‡ See Program Planning Guide.