Course Descriptions

Core Courses

WLDN 1000 Dynamics of Walden Success: Learning Lab (1 cr.)
Walden University offers students a dynamic learning environment and a range of support services to ensure academic success. In this course, students immerse themselves in Walden University’s online learning environment and apply skills from the student readiness orientation. In addition, students discover and apply the tools and services that will support them throughout their degree program. Through classroom discussions and the application of key communication principles, students establish an online community of peers and explore their degree program with discipline-specific examples. This course helps students prepare for their Walden academic career and continues their orientation to the university.

ITEC 1010 IT Infrastructure (5 cr.)
This course introduces fundamental concepts of the IT infrastructure. Topics include hardware (computers, networks, and interface devices) and software (operating systems, middleware, applications, and system software) elements. Students examine key issues of capacity, performance, reliability, scale, and obsolescence. Students look into a variety of career options within the field of IT. (Prerequisite: COMM 1001)

ITEC 1020 Networking Fundamentals (5 cr.)
This course provides an overview of concepts, components and design of information and communication infrastructure solutions. The course topics also include the design of the Internet protocol stack, the structure and function of some of the most important Internet services and applications, and Internet governance. (Prerequisite: ITEC 1010)

ITEC 1030 Introduction to Programming (5 cr.)
This course introduces the programming paradigms, algorithmic thinking, and problem- solving techniques in Java. Topics include computer program design, constraints, variables, functions, procedures logic and code control, error trapping, error handling, and interactive coding techniques. (Prerequisites: ITEC 1010 and MATH 1040.)

ITEC 2010 Data Structures (5 cr.)
This course focuses on the advanced data structures including lists, stacks, and queues, and their application. Topics include dynamic storage allocation concepts, interactive debugging techniques, and recursion. (Prerequisite: ITEC 1010)

ITEC 2020 IT Theory Fundamentals (5 cr.)
The course introduces students to discrete mathematics concepts and techniques used in IT. Each concept is presented in action, geared towards a specific application in IT. The course topics include elements of graph theory, coding, and probability. (Prerequisite: ITEC 1010)

ITEC 2030 Operating Systems Fundamentals and Administration (5 cr.)
This course is an overview of the concepts of computer operating systems. Topics may include configuration, file systems, security, administration, interfacing, multitasking, and performance analysis. Hands-on activities include performing basic administrative tasks on Windows and Linux servers, including configuring networking parameters, administering user accounts and /groups, setting access and application permissions, and locating and analyzing log files. (Prerequisite: ITEC 1010)

ITEC 2040 Systems Analysis (5 cr.)
This course focuses on the analysis and definition of system requirements, both functional and non-functional.  Students learn about the identification of stakeholders and techniques for requirement elicitation, representation, and life cycles. (Prerequisite: ITEC 1010)

ITEC 2050 Systems Design (5 cr.)
Students study the discipline of reducing requirements to the structural and functional design of organizational IT solutions.  Topics include conceptual modeling, design patterns, and application frameworks.  Students study the basics of modeling, design representations, and the use of design tools. (Prerequisite: ITEC 2040)

ITEC 2060 Database Management Systems (5 cr.)
This course focuses on the representation and manipulation of information in relational database management systems. Students study ways to map real-world concepts onto relational representations, and how to manipulate them through relational queries to implement data-intensive applications.  Students study ways to use a core subset of the Structured Query Language (SQL), as well as the fundamentals of database administration. (Prerequisite: ITEC 2050)

ITEC 2070 Human-Computer Interaction (5 cr.)
This course is an overview of human perception and cognitive performance, computer processes and system design approaches for successful human-computer interaction. Topics include human factors, usability evaluation, and principles of interface design. (Prerequisites: ITEC 2050 or CMIS 3004.)

ITEC 2080 Web Programming (5 cr.)
This course is an introduction to tools and techniques to develop and manage Web applications. Topics include static and dynamic Web page implementations, elements of client-server and server-side processing, data validation, and concurrency issues. (Prerequisites: ITEC 2010 or CMIS 2002.)

ITEC 3010 Mobile and Pervasive Technologies (5 cr.)
This course introduces the technical, business, legal, and socio-cultural benefits and challenges of mobile device and wireless communication technologies.  It addresses wireless protocols and business and consumer applications such as portable computing, communication, and multimedia devices; telemetry and monitoring systems; and context-aware services. (Prerequisite: ITEC 2080)

ITEC 3020 Computer Security Fundamentals (5 cr.)
Students learn the key concepts and concerns of computer and information security, including technical, privacy, organizational, social and policy issues.  Fundamental notions of authentication, authorization, and encryption are examined. Students analyze case studies of security and privacy breaches to understand economic and human impact. (Prerequisite: ITEC 2030) 

ITEC 3030 Business Architecture and Process (5 cr.)
This course examines the structure and operations of organizations from an information processing point of view, and helps develop students' skills in analyzing, designing, and improving operations. Topics include fundamental business structures; business process design, management, and optimization; decision support and automation; enterprise resource planning; and integration. (Prerequisite: ITEC 2050)

ITEC 3040 IT Project Management (5 cr.)
This course focuses on the Information Technology project management process and development of the project team as key to the successful achievement of IT projects. Students study ways to manage projects and programs that may span multiple organizations. Topics include the project management cycle, sourcing strategy, third-party provider selection, and management of third- party providers. (Prerequisite: ITEC 2050)

ITEC 4010 Network Administration (5 cr.)
The course explores the topics in network administration from a practical perspective. Topics include protocols, routers, and client/server architecture related to configuring network services, as well as software platforms, control, shared resources, and security. (Prerequisite: ITEC 1020)

ITEC 4020 Quality Management Standards for IT (5 cr.)
This course explores the history of the quality revolution and the practices and standards used by today’s information technology organizations to ensure quality. Topics include Total Quality Management (TQM) guidelines, Six Sigma improvement methodology, ISO quality standards, Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) standards, Personal Software Process (PSP) and Team Software Process (TSP), and the metrics used to measure success of quality initiatives. Students learn to use quality tools to analyze a quality problem in order to make recommendations for improvement. (Prerequisite: ITEC 2050)

ITEC 4030 Systems Integration (5 cr.)
This course reviews the systems integration approaches used by today’s information technology organizations in order for them to be more effective, efficient, and competitive. Topics include enterprise application integration (EAI) practices, middleware models, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) integration challenges, service-oriented architecture (SOA), and integration using cloud computing. Students learn to solve an integration problem by designing an appropriate architecture. (Prerequisites: ITEC 2050 and ITEC 2080)

ITEC 1000 Developing Student Portfolios for IT (1 cr.) OPTIONAL
This course provides students with the framework for developing a student portfolio. Students learn about the value of creating a student portfolio and how it is used to communicate and demonstrate their academic accomplishments. Students are introduced to tools and techniques that help them to develop, manage, and maintain their portfolios. They demonstrate the ability to apply the structure and methods presented in this course by composing a high-level design and comprehensive outline for a student portfolio.

Web Design and Applications Development Concentration Courses

ITEC 3501 Web Development Lifecycle (5 cr.)
Web designers must keep usability, accessibility, and cross-device compatibility in mind when architecting interfaces for multiple platforms. This course examines the development lifecycle of Web-based applications, including visual design, information architecture design, and interaction design, as well as the artifacts such as design documents and prototypes that are produced at each stage.

ITEC 4501 User Experience Design (5 cr.)
Web designers strive to optimize the interaction between the user and the system to create a smooth and productive user experience. This course focuses on the particular challenges of designing user interactions for Web-based applications. It also investigates design products such as process flows and wireframes used to communicate with clients, technical leads, and other stakeholders.

ITEC 4502 Implementing Effective User Interfaces (5 cr.)
Successful Web-based applications have interfaces that support effective interactions and inspire user allegiance. In this course, students create highly interactive and attractive interfaces for Web-based applications. In the context of a specific interface design scenario, students analyze data, choose appropriate tools, and design a solution.

ITEC 4503 Development of Multi-Platform Web-Based Applications (5 cr.)
Building Web-based applications that operate on a variety of devices poses a unique set of challenges that the Web designer must consider and address at each stage of the development lifecycle. This course examines the capabilities and limitations of particular desktop-based browsers and portable devices and draws on new technologies to create richly interactive Web-based applications that simultaneously support multiple platforms.

Security and Forensics Concentration Courses

ITEC 3101 Systems Software Security (5 cr.)
This course investigates security of operating systems and other system software, such as database management systems. Topics include components of networked operating system, architectural designs for secure usage, and system administration tasks and tools for security. (Prerequisite: ITEC 3020)

ITEC 4101 Network Security (5 cr.)
This course provides an overview of network security defense techniques and countermeasures. Topics include design and configuration of firewalls, traffic analysis and filtering, intrusion detection systems, statistical anomaly detection, and wireless security. (Prerequisites: ITEC 2020 and ITEC 3020)

ITEC 4102 Application Software Security (5 cr.)
Students in this course examine lifecycle practices used to develop, operate, and maintain secure applications. They identify and analyze the security vulnerabilities in code as reported by software tools. Students engage in a variety of assignments intended to provide them with a coherent, end-to-end understanding of common processes, tools, and technologies used to protect software applications against exploitation. (Prerequisites: ITEC 2080 and ITEC 3020.)

ITEC 4103 Computer Forensics (5 cr.)
In this course, students study procedures and tools for collecting and investigating evidence from illegal or inappropriate computer use. Topics include the legal, ethical, and policy implications of monitoring and forensic techniques. (Prerequisite: ITEC 3101, ITEC 4101 and ITEC 4102)

Database Administration and Data Center Operations Concentration Courses

ITEC 3201 Database-Driven Web Applications (5 cr.)
This course examines concepts and provides skills to develop and administer database-backed dynamic websites. Topics include contemporary development tools for database-driven web applications, the use of templates to separate business logic and presentation, and data storage and management. The course also explores server and application configuration to ensure site security, session management, and user authentication. (Prerequisite: ITEC 2060 and ITEC 2080)

ITEC 4201 Database Administration (5 cr.)
This course provides an in-depth coverage of the range of tasks a database administrator in an organization performs, which including disaster recovery, performance analysis and tuning, data dictionary maintenance, data modeling and optimization, and database and user management and monitoring. (Prerequisite: ITEC 2060)

ITEC 3202 Data Centers (5 cr.)
This course is an overview of the data center principles and operational issues, including environmental controls, power supplies, backup, data communications, and security standards to assure business continuity. Students discuss emerging trends and technologies in areas that include cloud computing, virtualization, middleware, databases, data centers, green grids, and corporate and environmental social responsibility. (Prerequisites: ITEC 2050 and ITEC 3030)

ITEC 4203 Fault-Tolerant Systems (5 cr.)
This course focuses on the study and application of the principles of fault tolerant systems (failsafe) and networks. Topics address design, modeling, analysis, and integration of hardware and software and redundancy techniques to achieve dependable systems, performance and reliability evaluation techniques, system diagnosis, disaster recovery planning, backup strategies for data and hardware, virus monitoring, and associated security and administration issues. (Prerequisites: ITEC 2020 and ITEC 4020)

Networking and Operations Concentration Courses

ITEC 3301 IT Service Management (5 cr.)
This course looks at management of IT by focusing on the relationship between IT and the business customers and users, and is concerned with the customer’s perspective of the IT’s contribution to the organization. Topics include operations architecture, IT governance, and relevant frameworks, as well as relationships of IT service management to with process improvement movements (for example, Six Sigma, TQM, BPM, and CCMI). (Prerequisites: ITEC 3030 and ITEC 3040)

ITEC 4101 Network Security (5 cr.)
This course provides an overview of network security defense techniques and countermeasures. Topics include designing and configuring firewalls, traffic analysis and filtering, intrusion detection systems, statistical anomaly detection, and wireless security. (Prerequisite: ITEC 2020 and ITEC 3020)

ITEC 4302 Network Planning and Maintenance (5 cr.)
This course focuses on the planning, maintenance, and auditing of data communications and networks in an organization. Topics include business planning, longer- and shorter- term planning, operations, maintenance, forecasting, topological design, network -synthesis, and network realization. (Prerequisite: ITEC 4010)

ITEC 4203 Fault-Tolerant Systems (5 cr.)
This course focuses on the study and application of the principles of fault tolerant systems (failsafe) and networks. Topics address design, modeling, analysis, and integration of hardware and software and redundancy techniques to achieve dependable systems, performance and reliability evaluation techniques, system diagnosis, disaster recovery planning, backup strategies for data and hardware, virus monitoring, and associated security and administration issues. (Prerequisite: ITEC 2020 and ITEC 4020)

Application Development, Testing, and Quality Assurance Concentration Courses

STAT 3401 Statistical Concepts for Software Quality Assurance (5 cr.)
This course provides an introduction to statistics. Topics include introduction to statistical reasoning, use of numeric and graphical descriptive statistics, parameter estimation and inferential methods, research design, and fundamentals of linear regression. (Prerequisites: ITEC 2020 and ITEC 4020)

ITEC 3402 Server-Side and Multi-Tier Programming (5 cr.)
Life in the 21st century is fast-paced and the public demands information that is expeditious, accurate, and appealing. This course provides students with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to create the types of dynamic web pages that are practical, well-designed, and can provide people with the information they need at the pace they want. Students examine the configuration of web server software, the function of server-side programming, and the use of scripting languages. They learn about techniques for enhancing performance through examination of multi-tier locality and parallelism. They also practice methods of access control and secured transmissions in server-side programming. Students have the opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge through a course-long project in which they build on skills acquired in each unit to transform a static website into a fully-functional dynamic website. (Prerequisites: ITEC 2080.)

ITEC 4401 Software QA Testing and Test Tools (5 cr.)
In this course students study software quality and the components of software quality assurance systems before, during, and after software development. It also discusses metrics and models for software quality as a product, in process, and in maintenance, as well as the testing tools used to automate the process, including their challenges and limitations. (Prerequisite: STAT 3401)

ITEC 4402 User Interface Evaluation, Design, and Development (5 cr.)
In this course students study methods for evaluating, designing and improving human computer interfaces.  Topics include user interface evaluation methods, requirements analysis, and user interface design methodologies including rapid prototyping and iteration. (Prerequisite: ITEC 2070)

Self Designed Concentration Courses

Choose any four courses from the other B.S. in Information Technology concentrations to design a program that will closely match your professional goals.

IT Electives Courses

ITEC 2001 Technology and Society (5 cr.) 
This course introduces students to the interaction of information technologies with core social concerns: privacy, democracy, equity, security, economic progress, and intellectual property rights.  Students are expected to consider the social, ethical, and legal implications inherent in the design and use of various technologies, including emerging technologies. (Prerequisite: ITEC 1020)

Capstone Course

ITEC 4901 IT Capstone (5 cr.)
In this capstone course, the students review the work they have collected in their portfolios while reflecting on their educational experience. They revisit the career priorities they expressed upon entry into the program, and consider their professional goals in the context of their education. They develop plans and goals for continued learning and career development, in the context of their personal goals and priorities. (Prerequisite: Required, last course taken)