* [ [[OPS535 - Curriculum Discussion |OPS535 - Curriculum Discussion]] ]
[[CNS / CTY Curriculum Development]]
'''Recommendations From Recent PAC Meetings (based on discussion notes [[CNS/CTY Curriculum: Discussion Transcript]] ):'''
:'''The curriculum discussions for the CNS/CTY programs have drawn attention to several key areas:'''<br>(Note current and proposed CNS/CTY curriculum maps display below)<br>
:*'''Create an identical skill base for both CNS and CTY programs for the first four semesters'''
:::Students in the CTY program (after completing co-op) sometimes want to graduate with CNS and fail to see the point of taking an additional 2 semesters. The problem is that when students are enrolled in the CTY program, the CTY program requires them to complete the 6 semesters. A number of students will accept employment without having completed the CTY diploma certificate (this affects the perception of student success and retention). Creating an identical skill base for both CNS and CTY programs will offer employers with a minimum level of employee competence and provide a conduit for students to pursue the CTY diploma certificate if desired.
:*'''Increase retention of CTY students by offering real IT industry projects within the fifth and sixth semesters'''
:::With identical core requirements for the first four semesters of the CNS/CTY programs, the fifth and sixth semester of the CTY program can roll-out courses to allow students to develop a better understanding of the industry by working with an IT company or organization on a related task (referred to as a "capstone project"). By allowing students to with an industry partner for at least two semesters, the student is encouraged to complete the CTY program.
:*'''Promote student success by channeling them to a one year, lower credential diploma (with the option of re-applying to CNS/CTY upon successful completion)'''
:::There has been discussion in curriculum meetings to channel cns/cty students that are unsuccessful in their first semester to transfer to obtain a one Year (reduced credit) Diploma certificate. This course would provide the minimum (essential) skills for students to work in basic job categories in the IT industry. Students that successfully complete this program may be allow to re-apply to the CNS/CTY program.
:*'''Align hardware concepts to reflect data servers (eg. data centers) as well as desktop (client-server) models'''
:::Subject matter experts in the CDOT applied research division have indicated gaps from what students learn and what is currently adopted in the IT industry. One example would be students, although having skills to create Ethernet cables for workstations, lack the subtle skill to wire a server rack. In an effort to eliminate this discrepancy, newer course will be introduced to deal with these issues including infrastructure, advanced data communications, advanced firewalls, and security. One suggestion is to split the NDD430 course into two separate courses, the first emphasizing infrastructure and the second emphasizing configuring a server and running services. The hardware course will be separated into two separate courses, the first focusing on the desktop, and the second to focus on data centers. In addition, a course in project management is recommended to be added as a government curriculum requirement. During the curriculum development process, courses in CNS and CTY should be reviewed and improvements made to maintain consistency and assist in student success.
{|cellpadding="15" width="40%"
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|[[Image:current_cns_cty.png|thumb|400px|Current Curriculum Map of '''CNS''' / '''CTY''' diploma programs:<br>'''Winter 2015''']]
|[[Image:proposed_cns_cty.png|thumb|650px|Proposed Curriculum Map of '''CSN''' / '''CTY''' diploma programs. '''First 4 semesters of CNS/CTY are identical'''. Remaining 2 semesters of CTY encourage students '''industry-related capstone projects'''. This may increase student retention in CTY and provide a consistent skills base for students that graduate CNS (i.e. continue into CTY).]]
|}
