Bachelors of Science in Network Administration

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Course Information

Program Length

GLOBAL LEARN CLASSES

BSNA Courses

OFFERED TIMES

1-2 hours every other week (In weeks 2, 4, 6, & 8)

Program Core (90 Credits)

BUS2400: Project Management

(Prerequisite: Must be taken in first two terms) Students will be guided through a four-phase systematic approach to project concepts, study, design, and implementation. Course work will include real world case studies that emphasize aspects of the project phases. (3 credits)

CSM535 Information Security Management

(Prereq. MSC620) The purpose of this course is to help prepare students for a successful career in public practice, industry or government by understanding how to manage, use and participate in the design of information systems. The course will also help students learn how to assess and consider the impact of IT governance, risk and compliance on accounting functions, focusing on how IT affects business processes and controls. This course serves as a preparation course for the Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM) exam certification.

CS1000: Security+

(Prerequisite: IT1110) Security Plus provides students with the foundational knowledge needed within the field of Cybersecurity. This course highlights the vulnerabilities and threats organizations face today. Students will learn how to mitigate these vulnerabilities and various methods to prevent these occurrences. (3 credits)

CS1050: Introduction to Relational Database Management Systems

During this course students will learn concepts regarding various types of databases. Students will also explore concepts in designing basic and advanced databases. This course will also provide students with insight regarding database connectivity with web technologies. (3 credits)

CS2350: Spreadsheet Applications

Students taking this course will learn how to use Microsoft Access and Microsoft Excel to prepare databases and spreadsheet applications. (3 credits)

CS2500: Systems Analysis & Design I

Students taking this course are introduced to the analyses, methodology and tools used to translate business requirements into information systems that support the short- and long-term objectives of the enterprise. Students will learn about traditional structured analysis, object-oriented concepts and agile methods and the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC). They are also introduced to project management concepts and the software tools most commonly used by systems analysts. (3 credits)

CS4100: Risk Management

In this course, students will explore ethical business decision-making and risk management related to the use of technology. This course introduces students to the core concepts of information security contingency plans and risk management. (3 credits)

CS4350: Principles of Cryptography

This course provides a practical survey of both the principles and practice of cryptography in computer security. Students are introduced to the basic concepts of cryptography and their use in protecting data and resources from disclosure, to guarantee the authenticity of data and messages, and to protect systems from network-based attacks. (3 credits)

IT1000: Electronics & Systems

Students taking this course will obtain a background in digital electronics, digital devices, digital circuits, safety, digital security, and will obtain an introduction to networking. (3 credits)

IT1010: Implementing & Troubleshooting OS Technology

This course is designed to prepare students for CompTIA A+ Essentials Certification examination (220-902). Topics include operating system fundamentals; operating system architecture; comparison of operating systems; the boot process; installing, configuring, supporting, and upgrading operating systems; diagnosing and troubleshooting operating systems, and file systems. Students will also be introduced to networking, hard drive support, and Internet concepts and configurations related to operating systems. At the conclusion of the course students will sit for the CompTIA A+ Essentials examination. (3 credits)

IT1100: Network I

(Prerequisite: IT1010) This is a basic introductory course to Networking Fundamentals. Students will learn about switches, routers, and firewalls. This course is a prerequisite to Network II. Students taking this course will prepare for the CompTia Net+ certification. They will use their knowledge of networking technology for local area networks (LANS), wide area networks (WANS), and the Internet. (3 credits)

IT1110: Network II

(Prerequisite: IT1100) This is an Advanced course to Networking Fundamentals. Students will learn about Virtualization and Cloud computing, Subnets and VLANs, Wide Area Networks, and Network Risk Management. Students taking this course will obtain an understanding of networking technology for local area networks (LANS), wide area networks (WANS), and the Internet. As well as prepare them for the CompTia NET+ certification. (3 credits)

IT2000: Technical Writing for Engineers

Students taking this course will develop the skills necessary to produce clear and effective technical documents and reports. (3 credits)

IT2150: Client Configuration I

(Prerequisite: IT1010) Students taking this course will obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to implement, administer, and troubleshoot a desktop operating system in a network environment. This course aligns with the objectives in the Microsoft certification for client configuration. (3 credits)

IT2160: Client Configuration II

(Prerequisite: IT2150) Students taking this course will obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to implement, administer, and troubleshoot a desktop operating system in a network environment. This course aligns with the objectives in the Microsoft certification for client configuration. (3 credits)

IT2200: CISCO I

(Prerequisite: IT1110) Students taking this course will obtain a strong foundation in each aspect of computer networking. This course aligns with the objectives in the ICND1 blueprint from Cisco Systems. (3 credits)

IT2210: CISCO II

(Prerequisite: IT2200) Students taking this course will obtain a strong foundation in each aspect of computer networking. This course aligns with the objectives in the ICND2 blueprint from Cisco Systems. (3 credits)

IT2300: Help Desk Remote Services

Students completing this course will be able to understand concepts that a service and help desk use to solve simple to complex computer and server issues. These issues will be addressed using phone, remote services, and face to face interaction. Upon completion of the course the student will have also acquired skills necessary to measure performance and manage a service and help desk environment. (3 credits)

IT3000: LINUX Operations

Students taking this course will build the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively deploy, manage and administer servers and clients using the Linux operating system in the enterprise and to effectively integrate devices using Linux based operating systems into the enterprise network. (3 credits)

IT3100: IT Operations Management

Students in this course will explore a unifying paradigm for understanding operations based on the design and management of business process. They will learn how managers can control process structure and process drivers to achieve desired business process performance and understand which level managers have to control: cycle-time, capacity, inventory and quality. (3 credits)

IT3150: Application Development

This course introduces students to multiple areas of application development while stressing Python style, best practices and good programming habits. The course covers application development for clients and servers, databases, interfacing with popular Microsoft Office applications, the World Wide Web, the cloud and social media. (3 credits)

IT4000: Information Security Governance

Students in this course will learn the basic strategies and tools used for developing a business case for information security/information assurance governance and will learn how to develop and implement a strategy to increasingly integrate assurance functions to improve security, lower costs and ensure the preservation of the enterprise and its ability to operate. (3 credits)

NET2050: Windows Server Administration

(Prerequisite: IT1110) This course provides students with a broad understanding of Microsoft Windows Server 2016 as well as the knowledge and skills necessary to plan, implement, administer, and troubleshoot Windows Server 2016 in an Active Directory domain environment. (3 credits)

NET2270: Network Server Installation & Configuration

(Prerequisite: NET2050) This program provides students with the skills to successfully manage and troubleshoot the Microsoft system environment including administering and managing complex local and wide area networks. The course prepares students for roles as network administrators, network designers, network integrators and network analysts in the enterprise environment. (3 credits)

NET2280: Network Server Core Services

(Prerequisite:NET2050) This course is intended for students who want to learn how to configure and manage a Windows Server 2016 computing environment. This course covers Windows Server 2016 installation, management, storage, and virtualization concepts. Students will be introduced to both introductory and advanced features of installing, configuring, implementing and managing a Windows Server 2016. (3 credits)

NET4000: Designing & Implementing a Server Infrastructure

(Prerequisite:NET2050) This course covers the planning, design, and deployment of a physical and logical Windows Server 2016 Active Directory Domain Services infrastructure. Students taking this course will gain the knowledge and skills to perform name resolution, application integration, optimization and automatic remediation and maintenance of network services. This course maps to the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification credential. (3 credits)

NET4100: Implementing Collaboration Services

Students taking this course will obtain the knowledge and build the skills necessary to install, configure, and administer Microsoft SharePoint in the enterprise. The course also covers managing and monitoring sites and users. This course is designed to help students prepare for and pass Microsoft Certifications. (3 credits)

NET4290: Network Server Advanced Services

(Prerequisite: NET2050) Students taking this course will build the skills and knowledge necessary to implement advanced Windows Server 2016 Services in an enterprise environment. The textbook focuses on mastery of fault tolerance, load balancing, failover clustering, certificate services, and identity federation. (3 credits)

NAC4990: Networking Capstone Seminar

(Prerequisite: Can be taken in conjunction with other classes as long as it is in the last two terms)
In this capstone project course, students complete a networking project that combines multiple aspects of their bachelor program. The project requires collaboration with a team of students to manage, analyze, design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based network. The system development process is initiated with a case study included within the course structure. Students will develop a project charter that will guide them through the discovery of functional and nonfunctional requirements, the creation of a system design based on those requirements, and the development and testing of a functional network application. Students will develop a management presentation to describe the project design and justify the continuation of the project. The capstone course will involve reading, writing, discussion, as well as the preparation by students of a substantive piece of work (e.g., a senior thesis, a research paper, or a creative work.). (3 credits)

General Education Requirements (30 Credits)

ENG1020 English Composition

ENG1260 Professional Communication

LOG3570 Logic & Critical Thinking

MAT1010 Understanding Mathematics

MAT2140 Algebra

CPL1010 Computer Literacy

ETH2050 Ethics

POL2020 Political Science

PSY1270 Psychology

ENV1010 Environmental Science

Note(s):

All course prerequisites must be satisfied prior to admission to the program.
For program disclosure information, please visit

Bachelor of Science in Network Administration

Technology Requirements

Following are the recommended general technical hardware/software specifications for students enrolled in all academic programs at the University of Fairfax. Please note that

a) these specifications are sufficient for the entire duration of the program,

b) need for specific applications/software would be determined by the actual course(s) registered and the availability of the applications, and

c) although students with Mac computers can access any applications/software by leveraging remote access tools, Mac platform is not recommended and supported, and

d) doctoral students will be required to user several open-source applications, hosted services, and publicly available virtual machines. This may include but is not limited to SAS (Statistical Analysis System) OnDemand, Oracle Virtual Box, Kali OS, Apache Web Server, GNU/Linux, OpenSSL, ROS (Robot Operating System), Blender (3D computer graphics), and Orange (Data Mining).

Minimum Recommended Specifications

1. Ownership of either laptop or desktop is mandatory. Mobile devices such as Tablets/Smart Phones cannot be used for running any applications. Mobile devices may be used for simple tasks such as accessing Canvas courses for checking messages, grades, due dates, and read the slides. For other tasks such as taking test, uploading assignments, and participating in discussion forums, mobile devices are not recommended and must not be used.

2. These recommendations are universal across all academic programs and provide a basic format for all courses. As you move further into a degree program, these requirements may increase (only minimal) based on the expectations of the program and the availability of applications.

Platform: Intel-based systems	Minimum	Better	Best
CPU	4 core 3.0 GHz.	6 core 3.0 GHz.	8 core 3.0 GHz.
RAM	16GB	32GB	32GB
Storage	500GB SSD	1TB SSD	1TB SSD
Graphics	{Integrated} OR {2GB} OR {1GB DirectX 11}	{Integrated} OR {4GB} OR {2GB DirectX 11} OR {NVIDIA 4GB} OR {NVIDIA 4GB DirectX 11}	{4GB} OR {NVIDIA 4GB} OR {4GB DirectX 11} OR {NVIDIA 6GB DirectX 11}
Operating System	Windows 10 or 11 64-bit (Professional Edition only), No Home Edition	Windows 10 or 11 64-bit (Professional Edition only), No Home Edition	Windows 10 or 11 64-bit (Professional Edition only), No Home Edition
Extras	2-3 USB 2.0 or 2-3 USB 3.0 Ports Microphone Camera External USB Drive for backup (minimum 1 TB)	2-3 USB 2.0 or 2-3 USB 3.0 Ports Microphone Camera External USB Drive for backup (minimum 1 TB)	2-3 USB 2.0 or 2-3 USB 3.0 Ports Microphone Camera External USB Drive for backup (minimum 1 TB)
Recommended Standard Productivity Applications	Access, Excel, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint, Power BI, Project, Publisher, Visio, Sway, Word, Forms, Delve Internet browsers like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc. (recommend the use of multiple browsers) Document Management Application – Adobe Acrobat Professional Zoom Desktop Client (https://zoom.us/download) Free Video / Photo Editing (select 1 or2) Application – PowerDirector (best) – Google, Promeo – Best App for Social Media, iMovie – Video Editor App for Beginners, Splice – Free Video Editor for Trimming and Cropping, Quik – Best Video Editor for Montages, KineMaster – Video Editing App For Experienced Editors, Filmmaker Pro – Best for Vertical Editing, InShot – Best Video Editor App for Aspiring Social Media Content Creators, Mojo – Best for Any Kind of Social Media Post, VivaVideo – Best for Beginners Keep the system up to date with Windows Updates, .NET Framework etc.	Access, Excel, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint, Power BI, Project, Publisher, Visio, Sway, Word, Forms, Delve Internet browsers like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc. (recommend the use of multiple browsers) Document Management Application – Adobe Acrobat Professional Zoom Desktop Client (https://zoom.us/download) Free Video / Photo Editing (select 1 or 2) Application – PowerDirector (best) – Google, Promeo – Best App for Social Media, iMovie – Video Editor App for Beginners, Splice – Free Video Editor for Trimming and Cropping, Quik – Best Video Editor for Montages, KineMaster – Video Editing App For Experienced Editors, Filmmaker Pro – Best for Vertical Editing, InShot – Best Video Editor App for Aspiring Social Media Content Creators, Mojo – Best for Any Kind of Social Media Post, VivaVideo – Best for Beginners Keep the system up to date with Windows Updates, .NET Framework etc.	Access, Excel, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint, Power BI, Project, Publisher, Visio, Sway, Word, Forms, Delve Internet browsers like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc. (recommend the use of multiple browsers) Document Management Application – Adobe Acrobat Professional Zoom Desktop Client (https://zoom.us/download) Free Video / Photo Editing (select 1 or 2) Application – PowerDirector (best) – Google, Promeo – Best App for Social Media, iMovie – Video Editor App for Beginners, Splice – Free Video Editor for Trimming and Cropping, Quik – Best Video Editor for Montages, KineMaster – Video Editing App For Experienced Editors, Filmmaker Pro – Best for Vertical Editing, InShot – Best Video Editor App for Aspiring Social Media Content Creators, Mojo – Best for Any Kind of Social Media Post, VivaVideo – Best for Beginners Keep the system up to date with Windows Updates, .NET Framework etc.

Policy on Sync Sessions

Sync Sessions provide a forum for collaborative learning by enabling “real time” interaction between faculty and students.
SyncSessions are conducted through the use of a meeting web-based application called Zoom. Your instructor will provide details as to how you will access a Zoom meeting. In order to participate in the session, you must be at a computer. To participate in the audio portion of the SyncSession, your computer will need to be configured with a microphone and/or headset.
Sync Sessions are 1-2 hours long and will be held in weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8.
Attendance is required for Sync Sessions.
The Sync Sessions are spent having students defending and explaining their research assignment for that week. Assignment instructions and grading rubrics are posted in the Canvas course shell.

Note: Certain courses may require specific software. Before registering for a course, please contact your instructor or a Student Services Representative for applicable software requirements.

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Bachelors of Science in Network Administration

Choose Your Path

I am looking to earn my