College of Technology

Department of Applied Computing and Electronics

Thomas Gallagher, Chair

The Department of Applied Computing and Electronics of The University of Montana-Missoula College of Technology collaborates with business and industry to prepare graduates to compete in and contribute to a dynamic global society. Students engage in experiential learning embracing technical education, effective communication, problem solving, professionalism, and workplace skills. The department promotes life-long learning to empower students in an ever-changing world. More details on programs available through the department can be found on the web: http://www.cte.umt.edu/departments/ace

Special Degree Requirements

General education requirements are integrated into the following programs. Refer to the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog for the specific requirements.

Computer Technology-A.A.S. Degree

Students in the Computer Technology program prepare for careers in the field of information technology. Students select an option in Network Management or Information Systems Management earning the Associate of Applied Science degree upon successful completion. Students receive a well-rounded technical background in computer hardware, operating systems, software development, Internet technologies, networking, telecommunications, and application software. Students benefit from coursework which reinforces skills in business principles, professionalism, technical writing, and oral presentation.
Faculty with credentials from Cisco, Microsoft, and CompTIA conduct advanced technical courses using official industry curriculum. Opportunities exist for students to pursue numerous professional certifications. All students acquire work-related skills through an internship experience. The combination of a post-secondary degree, industry-based professional certification and work-related experience make graduates marketable. The University of Montana-Missoula College of Technology is a Cisco Regional Training Center and a member of the Computer Technology Industry Association.
Students enter autumn term. Prior to entering the program, students shall demonstrate proficiency in keyboarding and basic computing skills using word processing, spreadsheets, Internet software, and file management.

Network Management Option

The Network Management option prepares students for careers as network technicians, network administrators, PC field technicians, and help-desk engineers. Students receive a foundation in networking technologies found in the business environment. The program prepares students to support LAN/WAN devices and services. Students install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot cabling, NICs, hubs, switches, and routers in multi-protocol networks. Students perform network administrative tasks on client PCs and servers. Students install, implement, and manage enterprise directory and infrastructure services. Opportunities exist for students to earn professional certification from Cisco (CCNA), Microsoft (MCP, MCSA), and CompTIA (A+, Network+ and Security+).

Information Systems Management Option

The Information Systems Management option prepares students to implement information technology in the business environment. Students analyze business requirements and design technology-based solutions to business problems. The program provides students with a foundation in business principles, accounting, management, and training techniques. Students install, upgrade, maintain, optimize, and troubleshoot PC hardware and software. Students develop, create, and maintain databases, print-based media, and web-based media. Graduates from the program enter careers in business PC support, developing software and hardware solutions, training and supporting users, and presenting business solutions. Opportunities exist for students to earn professional certification from CompTIA (A+) and Microsoft (MCP).

Directed Electives Options:

• ACC 133T Accounting II
  
• BUS 125T Principles of Marketing
  
• BUS 135T Business Law
  
• BUS 243T Psychology of Management and Supervision
  
• BUS 250T Entrepreneurship
  
• COM 115 Technical Writing
  
• COM 150S Interpersonal Communications
  
• COM 220T Training Techniques

A student may request substitution of other courses in the areas of Business, Communication, or Information Technology to fulfill the directed elective requirement provided a clear connection can be made between a course, a student’s career objective, and the degree program. All substitution requests require departmental approval.

Accounting Technology-A.A.S. Degree

Computer Support Option

Students interested in a career which prepares them to work as accounting technicians with a specialty in information technology may select the Accounting Technology, Computer Support option. This program is detailed in the Business Technology Department section of this catalog.

Electronics Technology-A.A.S. Degree

Students in the Electronics Technology program learn to troubleshoot, calibrate, test, and repair electronic components and circuit boards used in a wide range of electronic equipment including computers and communication equipment. Training includes working knowledge of direct and alternating current theory, semiconductor circuits, instrumentation, automatic controls, data communications, computerized communication links, and operational amplifiers. Students become familiar with robotics, electronic communications theory, and modes of RF communications.

Students are awarded the Associate of Applied Science degree upon successful completion of the program. Students may enter autumn semester only.

Courses

U = for undergraduate credit only. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R. Credits beyond this maximum do not count toward a degree.

Computer Technology (CRT)

U 007T Keyboarding 1 cr. Offered intermittently. Basic keyboarding including development of keystroking speed and accuracy. Proofreading is emphasized.

U 100 Computer Literacy 2 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Introduction to computer terminology, hardware, and software, including wire/wireless communications and multimedia devices. Students utilize word processing, create projects common to business and industry in a networked computing environment. Internet research, email usage, and keyboarding proficiency are integrated.

U 103T Survey of Information Technology 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., CRT 100 or demonstrated computing experience. A survey of computing concepts for students entering the information technology field. Topics include computer hardware, telecommunications, Internet technologies, productivity software, file management, disaster recovery, and system security.

U 108 Word Processing 2 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., CRT 100 or basic computer experience and consent of instr. Preparation of business forms, correspondence, mail merges, columnar projects, and reports using up-to-date software. Business related application projects, graphics, and printer operation are included.

U 112T Operating System Fundamentals 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., CRT 100 or demonstrated computing experience. Introduction to common operating systems used in modern computing. Emphasis on thorough understanding and use of command line and graphical user interfaces. Hands-on experience with single-user and multi-user/multi-access software. Focus on using, comparing, and analyzing the capabilities of existing and emerging operating systems.

U 115T Advanced Document Production 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., CRT 108. Analysis of the concepts of advanced work processing document production underlying mastery of the software. Business-related application projects utilizing critical thinking included. Speed and timing component to increase skills essential for employment.

U 121 Introduction to Programming 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., MAT 100 and demonstrated computing experience. An introduction to object-oriented programming using an even-driven paradigm. Basic concepts of control structures, data handling, documentation, and error control. Fundamentals of algorithm design and structured software development.

U 122E Ethics and Information Technology 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., COM 100. Exploration of ethical issues in the field of computing. Skills needed to identify and analyze various ethical concerns. Standard ethical concepts and theories, methods of ethical analysis. Strong emphasis on practical application of the ethical process.

U 151T Networking Basics 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., CRT 100 or demonstrated computer experience. Introduction to networking field including terminology; protocols; local-area and wide-area networks; the OSI model; topologies; IP addressing; cabling and cabling tools; routers and router programming; Ethernet and network standards; and wireless technologies.

U 152T Routers and Routing Basics 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., CRT 151T and CRT 112T or consent of instr. Covers router theory and technologies including configurations, IOS software management, routine protocol configuration, TCP/IP, access-lists and introduction to LAN switching.

U 172 Introduction to Computer Modeling 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., CRT 100 or demonstrated computing experience. Problem solving and data modeling using computer productivity software. Emphasis using spreadsheets and databases for data analysis. Formal presentation of results. Credit not allowed for both CRT 172 and CS 172.

U 180T Spreadsheet Software 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., CRT 100 or 103T; and MAT 005 or 100. Emphasis on the use of workbooks and sheets to solve business problems. Includes projects relating to data and lists and graphs/charts.

U 181T Introduction to Database Software 2 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., CRT 100. Basics of using a current database software package to solve business problems.

U 182T Computer Aided Design and Drafting 2 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., CRT 100 or demonstrated computer experience. An introduction to computer aided design and drafting software for production of drawings and plans for architecture and engineering systems. Fundamentals of two dimensional drafting and drawing management for professional design.

U 188T Computers and Law 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., CRT 100and LEG 185T. Intermediate concepts of computer systems, operating systems, graphical environments, electronic mail, Internet, and file management. A variety of applications including word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and law-related software are included.

U 195T Special Topics 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

U 196T Independent Study Variable cr. (R-6)

U 203 Systems Analysis 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., CRT 172. Analysis of the system development life cycle. Emphasis on planning, analyzing, designing, implementing and supporting information systems to meet business requirements. Covers feasibility studies, time and cost estimates, modeling tools, design tools, implementation and support strategies. A simulated business design project will be developed.

U 205T Food Service Management Computer Applications 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., CRT 100. Introduction to computerized applications relevant to the food service industry. Includes spreadsheet, recipe management and word processing software; appropriate industry reports, create menus and fliers; import, export and scale recipes; analyze nutrition; and calculate food cost.

U 209T Project Management 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., CRT 172. Investigation of topics in project management including scope, definition, risk, procurement and the RFP. Management of time, cost, quality, and human resources. Concepts are reinforced with PM software.

U 210T Advanced Operating Systems 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., CRT 112T, 151T. In-depth study of a secure, multi-user, client-based network operating system. Topics include installation, administration of resources, performance, network services, and security.

U 215T Server Technologies 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., CRT 112T, CRT 151T. Server technologies commonly used in local area networking. Topics include installation, administration, storage, application services, network services, security, reliability, and availability.

U 216T Network Infrastructure 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., CRT 210T. Principles and implementation of enterprise networking services. Topics include Protocol Binding, DNS, DHCP, WINS, Remote Access, IP Routing, IP Security, Network Address Translation, and Certificate Services.

U 222T Security Seminar 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., CRT 210T. Examination of general information technology security concepts. Topics include access control, authentication, attack methods, remote access, web security, wireless networks, cryptography, internal infrastructure security, and external attacks. Security procedures, organizational policies, risk management and disaster recovery addressed.

U 251T Switching Basics and Intermediate Routing 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., CRT 152T. Covers router configurations including advanced IP addressing techniques, variable length subnet masking, intermediate routing protocols, Ethernet switching, virtual LANs, spanning-tree protocol, and VLAN trunking protocol.

U 252T WAN Technologies 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., CRT 251T. Project-based course in wide-area networking including advanced IP addressing techniques, network address translation, port address translation, DHCP, WAN technology and terminology, PPP, ISDN, DDR, Frame Relay, network management, and introduction to optical networking.

U 255T Advanced Routing 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Analysis, design, and implementation of inter-network routing techniques. Topics include scalability, routing protocols, optimization, and security.

U 256T Remote Access 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Analysis, design, and implementation of remote access technologies including connectivity, access control, bandwidth utilization, fault tolerance, redundancy, and integrity.

U 257T Multilayer Switching 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Analysis, design, and implementation of reliable, scalable, multiplayer switched LANs. Topics include VLANS, switching protocols, routing, redundancy, multicasting, quality of service, security, and transparency.

U 258T Network Troubleshooting 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Network troubleshooting using baselines, configuration documentation, and a building-block approach through analysis of each layer in the OSI networking model.

U 260 Digital Publishing and Design 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., CRT 100 or 103T or consent of instr. A comprehensive foundation of layout and design principles to integrate digital media essential for effective print-based and web-based business publications.

U 263 Web Design and Development 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., CRT 100 or consent of instr. Provides a background and foundation skills required for designing and implementing Web sites for public and private organizations. Marketing and design techniques are applied using state-of-the-art software.

U 270 C++ Programming 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., CRT 121. Object oriented programming using C++. Implementation of structured programming concepts along with construction of classes to create data types for defining objects.

U 275 Database Design and Implementation 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., CRT 172 or consent of instr. Relational database design including: requirements analysis, data structure, entity relationships, normalization, relational algebra and integrity. Physical implementation focusing on data storage; retrieval and modification; concurrency; optimization; security; SQL; and XML.

U 285T PC Hardware Support 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., CRT 103T, CRT 112T. In-depth study of personal computer hardware. Focus on field replaceable components. Topics include: storage devices, processors, system boards, memory, ports, cabling, power supplies, multimedia devices, printers, and troubleshooting.

U 289T Professional Certification 1 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Review objectives of an information technology industry-based professional certification. Certification objectives, preparation strategies, and exam strategies included. Course can be repeated for different industry-based professional certifications.

U 290T Computer Technology Internship 2 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., last semester in program, minimum of “C” in all CRT courses, and approval of program director. Not open to non-majors. On‑the‑job training in positions requiring information technology competencies. This experience increases students' skills, prepares them for initial employment, and increases occupational awareness and professionalism. Students work a minimum of six hours each week at an approved site and attend a weekly one‑hour seminar.

U 295T Special Topics 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

U 296T Independent Study 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently.

Electronics Technology (EET)

U 101T Direct and Alternating Current Theory 7 cr. Offered autumn. Study of current flow, resistance, capacitance, inductance, power, and impedance. Topics include direct current circuits, alternating current circuits, and magnetism. Standard circuit theorems are explored using various methods of circuit analysis and problem solving. Includes hands-on labs and building an electronic lab trainer.

U 103T Semiconductor Circuits 7 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., EET 101T. Covers theory of diodes, bipolar transistors, and field effect transistors, and their application in electron circuits. Topics include circuit analysis, circuit construction, and an introduction to operational amplifiers. Includes hands-on labs.

U 195T Special Topics 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered Intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

U 227T Digital Electronics 4 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., EET 103T. Explores digital electronic circuits and devices that make up a computer system. Topics include binary and hexadecimal number systems, Boolean algebra and digital logic theory, simple logic circuits, combinational logic, and sequential logic. Also covered is the analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog interfaces between a digital system and the real (analog) world. Includes hands-on labs.

U 228T Instrumentation 7 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., EET 103T. Explores industrial measurements and process control instrumentation. Provides experience in basic electronic measurements using standard electronics test equipment including oscilloscopes, multimeters, and function generators. Breadboarding, constructing, and repairing of electronic circuits emphasized. Includes hands-on labs.

U 232 Microprocessors 4 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., EET 227T. Explores microprocessor architecture, design, and operations; machine language and assembly language programming; hardware input/output interfacing; and design applications. Includes hands-on labs incorporating an individual student trainer based on the Intel 8085A microprocessor.

U 234T Automatic Controls 4 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., EET 227T. Explores the theory, terminology and components used in automatic control of industrial machines and processes. Uses the servomechanism as a representative control system to analyze open-loop, closed-loop, proportional, integral, and differential control strategies. The use of transducers and computers in automatic control systems in the industrial control setting is emphasized.

U 240T Robotics 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq. or coreq., EET 232, EET 234T or consent of instr. Explores physical and operating characteristics of a robot. Topics include robot configurations, power supplies, control systems, end effectors, sensors, stepper motors and stepper controls. Robot programming also is covered and a typical robot is programmed to perform repetitive actions. Includes hands-on labs.

U 260 Data Communications 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., EET 103T. Explores the principles, applications, and theory of data communication systems. Topics include communication concepts and terminology, analog and digital channel characteristics, signaling techniques for analog and digital data, communication codes, transmission media, and standards and protocols for various data communication systems including computer networks, and the public switched telephone network. Includes hands-on labs.

U 270T Wireless Communications 4 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., EET 103T. Explores audio and radio frequency (RF) circuits. Topics include AM and FM signal modulation and demodulation, RF transmitters, RF receivers, RF amplifiers, audio amplifiers, oscillators, mixers, and antennas. Includes hands-on labs.

U 295T Special Topics 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered Intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.