Networking Systems Technology

The Networking Systems Technology program is certified as a Cisco Academy and accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE).

The program curriculum focuses on networking and digital communications from an industry perspective. As the world continues to operate in the age of information technology, the demands on current network and communication infrastructures require a technically-savvy workforce – technicians that can design or redesign networks and deploy new technologies while maintaining system integrity and network security.

The program educates students to be job-ready in various areas of information technology (IT). These areas include hardware and software support, network infrastructure, systems and server administration, network and cyber security, wireless management, network engineering, and IT project management. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) curriculum, virtualization fundamentals, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) concepts are also included in the program.  Students with the goal to work in digital communications can elect to take a fiber optic technology course that is certified by the Fiber Optic Association.

A graduate of the Networking Systems Technology program will have the skills to work in careers including IT support, local area networking (LAN) and wide area networking (WAN) management, systems or network administration, digital communications, and  security analysis.

It is a graduation requirement of the Networking Systems Technology (NST) program for students to earn a grade of “C” or better in all “Core Curriculum” courses. Students are also required to pass one industry certification prior to graduation. Students choose from certifications that are specific to the curriculum and approved by industry advisors. 

To view program outcome data, visit https://statetechmo.edu/networking-systems-technology-program-facts/.

Program Mission

The mission of the Networking Systems Technology program is to provide students with the technical and interpersonal skills needed to enter the field of computer networking or digital communications.

Program Goals
The goals of the program are to provide the opportunity for students to develop:

• Oral and written communication skills.
• Analytical approaches to problem solving.
• Network administrator skills required in business, government, and/or education.
• Project management skills.
• Advanced network administrator skills to plan, install and test the implementation, and/or upgrade of digital communications systems.

Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS)

Classification of Instructional Programs - 11.0901

Core Curriculum

			Credit Hours
NST	103	Fundamentals of Voice and Data Cabling	3
NST	105	System Maintenance	3
NST	115	Operating Platforms	3
NST	131	Routing and Switching Essentials	3
NST	139	Wireless Technology	3
NST	180	Internship I	4
NST	185	Internship II	4
		or
Networking Systems Technology or Utility Systems Technician Approved Elective			3
NST	203	Enterprise Networking	3
NST	205	Linux Administration and Installation	3
NST	210	Microsoft Network Administration	3
NST	292	Fundamentals of Network Security	6
Networking Systems Technology, Computer Application Development, or Utility Systems Technician Approved Elective			3-4
Networking Systems Technology, Computer Application Development, or Utility Systems Technician Approved Elective			3-4
BUS	260	Project Management	3
SUB-TOTAL			46-49

General Education Requirements

Refer to the General Education Requirements and General Education Courses in the College Catalog.

			Credit Hours
General Education Requirements			19
Must Include:
NST	101	Network Fundamentals	3
May Not Include:
ASC	104	Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab I	4
ASC	106	Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab II	4
SUB-TOTAL			19

Program Requirements

			Credit Hours
COM	211	Technical Writing	3
		or
COM	102	English Composition II: Writing the Research Paper	3
SUB-TOTAL			3

Graduation Requirements

			Credit Hours
COM	125	Job Search Strategies	1
It is a graduation requirement of the Networking Systems Technology (NST) program for students to earn a grade of "C" or better in all "Core Curriculum" courses and pass an industry certification.
SUB-TOTAL			1

PROGRAM TOTAL

69-72

Networking Systems Technology Certificate - One-Year (C1)

Classification of Instructional Programs - 11.0901

Core Curriculum

			Credit Hours
NST	131	Routing and Switching Essentials	3
NST	103	Fundamentals of Voice and Data Cabling	3
NST	105	System Maintenance	3
NST	115	Operating Platforms	3
SUB-TOTAL			12

General Education Requirements

Refer to the General Education Requirements and General Education Courses in the College Catalog.

			Credit Hours
Must Include: Three credit hours from Area 1. Oral & Written Communication			3
NST	101	Network Fundamentals	3
SUB-TOTAL			6

Program Requirements

			Credit Hours
Networking Systems Technology Elective			3
Networking Systems Technology Elective			3
Networking Systems Technology Elective			3
Computer Application Development Elective			3
MAT	071	Intermediate Algebra	4
SUB-TOTAL			16

Graduation Requirements

			Credit Hours
COM	125	Job Search Strategies	1
It is a graduation requirement of the Networking Systems Technology (NST) program for students to earn a grade of "C" or better in all "Core Curriculum" and "Program Requirements" courses.
SUB-TOTAL			1

PROGRAM TOTAL

35

Courses

BUS 260: Project Management

This course covers Project Management which builds a foundation for tomorrow's managers. Students gain understanding through project analysis, which includes both successful and failed project examples. Project management methods, tools, and software are applied to group projects.

Credit Hours: 3

NST 103: Fundamentals of Voice and Data Cabling

This course, sponsored by Panduit, is designed for students interested in the physical aspects of voice and data network cabling and installation. The course focuses on cabling issues related to data and voice connections and provides an understanding of the industry and its worldwide standards, types of media and cabling, physical and logical networks, as well as signal transmission. Students will develop skills in reading network design documentation, part list set up and purchase, pulling and mounting cable, cable management, choosing wiring closets and patch panel installation and termination as well as installing jacks and cable testing. This hands-on, lab-oriented course stresses documentation, design, and installation issues, as well as laboratory safety, on-the-job safety, and working effectively in group environments. This course will help prepare students for the BICSI Registered Certified Installer, Level 1 exam.

Credit Hours: 3

NST 105: System Maintenance

This course covers the diagnosis, troubleshooting, and maintenance of computer components. Topics include hardware compatibility, system architecture, memory, input devices, video displays disk drives, modems and printers.

Credit Hours: 3

NST 115: Operating Platforms

Course covers popular Operating Systems. Use and installation is covered for each operating system.

Credit Hours: 3

NST 131: Routing and Switching Essentials

This course covers the architecture, components, and operations of routers and switches in small networks and introduces wireless local area networks (WLAN) and security concepts. Students learn how to configure and troubleshoot routers and switches for advanced functionality using security best practices. Students also learn to resolve common issues with protocols in both Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) and version 6 (IPv6) networks.

Requisite:
Prerequisite NST 101 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 3

NST 139: Wireless Technology

This course defines the fundamentals of standards-based wireless technology, giving the student an overview of the design, communication, hardware components, and maintenance associated with wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, commonly referred to as Wi-Fi. Design, deployment, and management of enterprise and broadband wireless installations will be covered.

Requisite:
Corequisite NST 131 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 3

NST 180: Internship I

A networking internship is comprised of work experience in a networking setting which requires the student to perform a variety of tasks. Internship sites must be approved by the department.

Requisite:
Prerequisite Chair Approval

Credit Hours: 4

NST 185: Internship II

A networking internship is comprised of work experience in a networking setting which requires the student to perform a variety of tasks. Internship sites must be approved by the department.

Requisite:
Prerequisite Chair approval.

Credit Hours: 4

NST 203: Enterprise Networking

This course describes the architecture, components, operations, and security to scale for large, complex networks, including wide area network (WAN) technologies. The course emphasizes network security concepts and introduces network virtualization and automation. Students learn how to configure, troubleshoot, and secure enterprise network devices and understand how application programming interfaces (API) and configuration management tools enable network automation.

Requisite:
Prerequisite NST 101 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 3

NST 205: Linux Administration and Installation

This course takes students through the process of learning Linux. Students will become familiar with the tools and processes relating to installing and administering a Linux system.

Credit Hours: 3

NST 210: Microsoft Network Administration

This course is an introduction to using Windows Server with Active Directory. Emphasis is placed on installation, configuration, and implementation of a functional Windows Server.

Credit Hours: 3

NST 292: Fundamentals of Network Security

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Security is a hands-on, career-oriented e-learning solution with an emphasis on practical experience to help students develop specialized security skills to advance their careers. The curriculum helps prepare students for entry-level security career opportunities implementing Cisco IOS Network Security technologies.

Requisite:
Prerequisite NST 203 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 6