Thread: Level of difficulty

I know this is a subjective type of question, but I was wondering how work intensive the following classes are:

Computer Forensics
Principles of IS & Assurance
Managing IT
Intro to Networking (Internet class)
Networking Fundamentals
Basic Router (a six week course that starts the middle of the semester)

All the above are Associate level courses.

Thanks!

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I think the hardest part of some the information assurance and security classes may be subjective judgement. Each person develops that sense at their own pace, but alot of security is "this is more right than that" which can be trouble for some people.

Forensics- Make sure he has a good understanding of disk structure and differnt file systems. Alot of that class will probably be best practices and procedures.

Networking - Networking is pretty broad, so it depends on the class. All three look introductory, so he should be fine. It should be basic TCP/IP stuff, but i would find out if any of the classes are part of the "Cisco Academy" of courseware. They do a good job of teaching from the basics up.

Good luck!

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I know the Networking Fundamentals and the Router course are part of Cisco. (Not that I know what that means--lol)

As far as I can tell, the classes are all intro level. He wants to take 18 credits this fall, but I don't want him to be stressed out. And being a mom, I worry that it may be too many. The problem is...I don't know what he knows. As far as networking , he did set up our home computers and his laptop on a network and he knows how to tap into other networks when we're traveling.

In his system repair class, the professor wouldn't let him touch the computer during labs although he could 'talk' the other students through the process. On his final he had a 97% and the class average was 58%. His professors have also given him permission to bypass the prereqs. He'll still need to take the classes for his degree, but not necessarily in a specific order. Maybe I just need to trust his instincts. Whenever I try to talk to him, he brushes me off and says, "It will be fine, mom."

Thanks for the info. That's interesting about the Principles of IS class. We've had many discussions on ethics especially as it relates to hacking and downloading. I don't know if disk structure and file systems have to do with hard drives, but he did a research paper last semester on how hard drives have evolved and was able to obtain and demonstrate different types he had taken apart to show the class. However, his favorite presentation to date was when he was able to obtain a beta copy of Vista. I don't know how many letters he wrote to Microsoft and then got a copy from a friend of a friend of a friend that works at Microsoft.

Geez..at this rate attending CC is going to be a harder transition for me than for him!

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I know many people who have taken similar curricula at the CC level, some of them middle-aged career changers.

Your son is showing signs of having the aptitude and interest level required to excel in such a program. My gut says he'll continue to excel.

Originally posted by Daniel Luechtefeld
Your son is showing signs of having the aptitude and interest level required to excel in such a program. My gut says he'll continue to excel.

I agree, but 18 credit hours in one semester is a mistake. 15 is pushing it, 12 is more sensible. Shoot, it's not like he doesn't have time!

-=Steve=

When I went to PSU for my B.S. I took 18 credit loads in many semesters. While incredibly busy, I never felt it to be a true challenge. If he has an aptitude for it I would tell him to do it.

Thanks! Currently we're planning on compromising. In addition to the classes above, he needs to take English Comp II thus will start out with 15 credits. IF things are going well, he can then pick up the 3 credit/6week class mid-semester.

He's interested in security and computer forensics, but I haven't found any local colleges that offer a bachelors or master's degree in those areas. Thus he's thinking of going to a Christian university, getting a Bachelors in Leadership (after his AS in IT Security)which would enable him to go into youth ministry and then finding another university for his masters.

Originally posted by a mom

He's interested in security and computer forensics, but I haven't found any local colleges that offer a bachelors or master's degree in those areas. Thus he's thinking of going to a Christian university, getting a Bachelors in Leadership (after his AS in IT Security)which would enable him to go into youth ministry and then finding another university for his masters.

That is quite a jump from computer forensics and security to youth ministry. Your son, or maybe yourself, sound adrift as to a career. In any event, a Bachelors in Leadership will serve him well regardless of his ultimate career and might provide the ethical framework necessary for working in the security field or as a youth minister/leader.

I'm totally adrift, confused, and any other adjective you can think of!

Okay, let me try to explain. He wants to go into youth ministry, but logistically feels he will need a 'paying' job to support him in ministry. Since he seems to have an aptitude for computers and enjoys the challenge and constant change in the field, he wants to go into that area. Maybe it's not realistic doing both???

It's reassuring that the Bachelors in Leadership will provide a covering or framework as you put it for either field. That's what we were hoping. He'll graduate next fall at 14 with an AS in IT Security. We're considering him spending another year at our local CC and picking up more general ed classes before transferring for his Bachelors.

I know students have a tendancy to look up to their professors. As a Christian, I prefer he's in an environment where I'm more comfortable with the guidance he'll receive for some of the ethical decisions he'll encounter.

I'm open to any and all suggestions! Well, realistic and sincere ones, that is. :)

Originally posted by a mom
Okay, let me try to explain. He wants to go into youth ministry, but logistically feels he will need a 'paying' job to support him in ministry.

My sister is senior pastor at her church, and financially she's doing a lot better than I. If ministry is really something he wants to do, he'll get by. He really shouldn't plan on a career in something that's not what he wants to do, regardless of whether he has aptitude for it or not. Frankly, though, he's too young to be making these sorts of decisions, especially if you have to do all the research.

-=Steve=-