Computer Science | Rend Lake College

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Computer Science

Welcome to our computer science program. We offer a range of training options, including computer science (options of business or science), IT database specialist and IT security specialist programs, as well as our certificates. Let us prepare you for a rewarding career in computer science. Explore our site to discover how we can help you achieve your goals.

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associate in science degree

Computer Science

BUSINESS OPTION

The Computer Science Business Option provides students with the background in business necessary for advanced degrees and/or careers in several areas, including but not limited to business systems programming, computer operations or information systems management, computer networking, systems analysis and web development. A total of 64 hours is required for the Associate in Science Degree. Students are advised to check with the institution to which they are transferring or a Rend Lake College advisor for additional requirements.

 

SCIENCE OPTION

Designed for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree in Computer Science. This option provides students with the background in math/science necessary for advanced work in several areas, including but not limited to hardware/software development, software engineering, computer network design, systems analysis and Internet/World Wide Web development. A total of 64 hours is required for the Associate in Science Degree. Students are advised to check with the institution to which they are transferring or a Rend Lake College advisor for any additional requirements.

plan your as degree in computer science

program details

Courses - Business Option
Business Option
Total = 64 Hours
Fall Semester
CSCI 1101 - Introduction to Computers 3 Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 1101 - Rhetoric and Composition I 3 Cr. Hrs.
MATH 1110 - Precalculus 5 Cr. Hrs.
PSYC 2101 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Cr. Hrs.
Elective – Fine Arts 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 17 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
CSCI 2100 - Discrete Structures 3 Cr. Hrs.
ECON 2101 - Principles of Economics I 3 Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 1102 - Rhetoric and Composition II 3 Cr. Hrs.
HEA 1101 - Health Education 2 Cr. Hrs.
MATH 1121 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I 5 Cr. Hrs.
Total 16 Cr. Hrs.
Fall Semester
COMM 1101 - Principles of Effective Speaking 3 Cr. Hrs.
CSCI 1104 - Introduction to Programming 4 Cr. Hrs.
ECON 2102 - Principles of Economics II 3 Cr. Hrs.
PHIL 2101 - Logic or PHIL 2104 - Ethics 3 Cr. Hrs.
Elective – Physical Science 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 16 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
ACCO 1101 - Principles of Financial Accounting 4 Cr. Hrs.
BIO 1100 - Biology for Non-Majors 4 Cr. Hrs.
CSCI 2104 - Advanced Data Structures 4 Cr. Hrs.
MATH 1111 - Statistics or MATH 2013 - Business Statistics 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 15 Cr. Hrs.
Recommended Electives
ACCO 1102 - Principles of Managerial Accounting 4 Cr. Hrs.
Elective – Humanities / Fine Arts 3 Cr. Hrs.
Courses - Science Option
Science Option
Total = 64 Hours
Fall Semester
ENGL 1101 - Rhetoric and Composition I 3 Cr. Hrs.
MATH 1110 - Precalculus 5 Cr. Hrs.
PHIL 2101 - Logic 3 Cr. Hrs.
PSYC 2101 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Cr. Hrs.
Elective – Fine Arts 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 17 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
CSCI 2100 - Discrete Structures 3 Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 1102 - Rhetoric and Composition II 3 Cr. Hrs.
MATH 1121 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I 5 Cr. Hrs.
Elective – Life Science 4 Cr. Hrs.
Total 15 Cr. Hrs.
Fall Semester
COMM 1101 - Principles of Effective Speaking 3 Cr. Hrs.
CSCI 1104 - Introduction to Programming 4 Cr. Hrs.
MATH 2122 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry II 5 Cr. Hrs.
PHY 1103 - University Physics I 5 Cr. Hrs.
Total 17 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
CSCI 2104 - Advanced Data Structures 4 Cr. Hrs.
ECON 2101 - Principles of Economics I 3 Cr. Hrs.
MATH 2108 - Linear Algebra 3 Cr. Hrs.
PHY 1104 - University Physics II 5 Cr. Hrs.
Total 15 Cr. Hrs.

Note: See IT Systems Specialist curriculum for more options in the computer field.

Costs & How To Pay

Costs for Business Option

Costs for Science Option

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Payments on student accounts must be made by the deadline included on the student statement.

  • Fall: July 15
  • Spring: December 15
  • Summer: May 15

Students who do not make payments by this deadline may be dropped from their classes.

More about paying for college

 

associate in applied science degree

IT Database Specialist

The IT Database Specialist is a two-year program designed to provide students with the necessary information and skills to become an IT technician with emphasis on databases. Courses contain a balance of classroom and laboratory activities with modern hardware and up-to-date software. Students who successfully complete this program qualify for a variety of entry-level positions in the computer industry. The program provides a foundation for those who are seeking Cisco, Microsoft, and ComptiaTIA certifications. National competency requirements have been used to develop the curriculum. The knowledge gained from these courses may enable students who are pursuing a four-year degree to capstone into programs at senior-level institutions.

plan your aas degree in it database specialist

program details

Courses
Total = 64 Hours
Fall Semester
CNS 1210 - Intro to Networks 5 Cr. Hrs.
CNS 1212 - Hardware and Operating Systems 5 Cr. Hrs.
CSCI 1102 - Intro to Computers w/Business Applications 3 Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 1101 - Rhetoric and Composition I 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 16 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
CNS 1234 - Linux Networking 3 Cr. Hrs.
CNS 1231 - Windows Professional 3 Cr. Hrs.
CNS 2260 - Windows LAN/WAN 4 Cr. Hrs.
CSCI 1255 - Microsoft Access Database 3 Cr. Hrs.
MATH 1201 - Technical Mathematics or MATH 1107 - Contemporary College Mathematics 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 16 Cr. Hrs.
Fall Semester
CNS 1232 - Windows Server 3 Cr. Hrs.
CNS 1235 - Linux Server 4 Cr. Hrs.
CSCI 1257 - SQL Server Database Design 3 Cr. Hrs.
PSYC 2101 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Cr. Hrs.
OFTC 1234 - Communication In Tech Service 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 16 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
CNS 2200 - Emerging Technologies 5 Cr. Hrs.
COMM 1101 - Principles of Effective Speaking 3 Cr. Hrs.
CSCI 1280 - Advanced Database Systems 3 Cr. Hrs.
COOP 1101 - Cooperative Education 2 Cr. Hrs.
Elective 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 16 Cr. Hrs.
Recommended Electives
CNS 1207 - Fundamentals of Information Security 4 Cr. Hrs.
CSCI 2100 - Discrete Structures 3 Cr. Hrs.
CSCI 2209 - System Analysis and Design 3 Cr. Hrs.
Costs & How To Pay

Costs for this program

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Payments on student accounts must be made by the deadline included on the student statement.

  • Fall: July 15
  • Spring: December 15
  • Summer: May 15

Students who do not make payments by this deadline may be dropped from their classes.

More about paying for college

 

Program Outcomes

IT Database Specialist

1. Demonstrate the ability to install, configure, and troubleshoot various desktop and server operating systems. 


2. Demonstrate the ability to install, configure, troubleshoot and repair PC hardware. 


3. Demonstrate the ability to analyze and meet customer needs.


4. Demonstrate the ability to design Local Area Networks (LANs) including router configurations. 


5. Demonstrate the ability to design Wide Area Networks (WANs) including router configurations. 


6. Demonstrate the ability to design a customer database.

associate in applied science degree

IT Security Specialist

The IT Security Specialist is a two-year program designed to provide students with the necessary information and skills to become an IT technician with an emphasis on security. Courses contain a balance of classroom and laboratory activities with modern hardware and up-to-date software. Students who successfully complete this program qualify for a variety of entry-level positions in the computer industry. The program provides a foundation for those who are seeking Cisco, Microsoft, and CompTIA certifications. National competency requirements have been used to develop the curriculum. The knowledge gained from these courses may enable students who are pursuing a four-year degree to capstone into programs at senior-level institutions.

plan your aas degree in it security specialist

program details

Courses
Total = 64 Hours
A criminal history background check is required.
Fall Semester
CNS 1210 - Intro to Networks 5 Cr. Hrs.
CNS 1212 - Hardware and Operating Systems 5 Cr. Hrs.
CSCI 1102 - Intro to Computers w/Business Applications 3 Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 1101 - Rhetoric and Composition I 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 16 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
CNS 1207 - Fundamentals of Information Security 4 Cr. Hrs.
CNS 1231 - Wireless Professional 3 Cr. Hrs.
CNS 2260 - Wireless LAN/WAN 4 Cr. Hrs.
MATH 1201 - Technical Mathematics or MATH 1107 - Contemporary College Mathematics 3 Cr. Hrs.
CNS 1234 - Linux Networking 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 17 Cr. Hrs.
Fall Semester
CNS 1232 - Windows Server 3 Cr. Hrs.
CNS 1235 - Linux Server 4 Cr. Hrs.
CNS 2228 - Hacking Techniques and Tools 4 Cr. Hrs.
PSYC 2101 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Cr. Hrs.
OFTC 1234 - Communications In Tech Service 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 17 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
CNS 2200 - Emerging Technologies 5 Cr. Hrs.
CNS 2231 - Network Security Firewalls and VPNs 3 Cr. Hrs.
COOP 1101 - Cooperative Education 3 Cr. Hrs.
COMM 1101 - Principles of Effective Speaking 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 14 Cr. Hrs.
Costs & How To Pay

Costs for this program

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Payments on student accounts must be made by the deadline included on the student statement.

  • Fall: July 15
  • Spring: December 15
  • Summer: May 15

Students who do not make payments by this deadline may be dropped from their classes.

More about paying for college

 

Program Outcomes

IT Security Specialist

1. Demonstrate the ability to install, configure and troubleshoot various desktop and server operating systems.

2. Demonstrate the ability to install, configure, troubleshoot and repair PC hardware.

3. Demonstrate the ability to analyze and meet customer needs.

4. Demonstrate the ability to design Local Area Networks (LANs) Wide Area Networks (WANs) including router configurations.

5. Demonstrate the ability to harden network and operating systems.
Short-Term

Certificates

Essential skills and training to jumpstart your career in a matter of months

Cyber Security Specialist

The Cyber Security Specialist certificate provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to detect and mitigate cyber attacks. Students are taught how to understand cyber attack vectors and investigate cyber intrusions, as well as proactive defense methods. Courses offer a balance of classroom and laboratory activities.

Plan Your Cyber Security Certificate

Tuition & Fees at RLC

 

Total = 25 Hours
Fall Semester
CNS 1212 - Hardware and Operating Systems 5 Cr. Hrs.
Total 5 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
CNS 1231 - Windows Professional 3 Cr. Hrs.
CNS 1234 - Linux Networking 3 Cr. Hrs.
CNS 1207 - Fundamentals of Information Security 4 Cr. Hrs.
Total 10 Cr. Hrs.
Fall Semester
CNS 2228 - Hacking Techniques and Tools 4 Cr. Hrs.
CNS 1232 - Windows Server 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 7 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
CNS 2231 - Network Security Firewalls and VPN 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 3 Cr. Hrs.

Key Information for Applying

Start Here. Go Anywhere.

Transfer Information

Students who graduate with an Associate Degree can transfer their credits to a university and pursue a Bachelor's degree and beyond. 

Articulation agreements - also known as Transfer Guides - document the pathway between RLC and the university. Historically, RLC has built articulation agreements with midwestern universities. However, students have worked with both institutions to build a pathway.   

View our transfer guides and more about articulation agreements 

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Transfer Guides

We have guides that document a pathway between your degree at RLC and many universities.

Murray State University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University of Southern Indiana
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Central Methodist University
McKendree University
Indiana Wesleyan University
Eastern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University
University of Illinois
Accreditation

Quality Education. Guaranteed.

Since 1969, Rend Lake College has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of six regional accreditors in the United States. Accreditation is vital to what we do. It serves as a measure of quality, allows us to access and distribute federal student aid, facilitates the transfer of classes between institutions and more. The Higher Learning Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

More about accreditation
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Faculty & Staff

Applied Science & Technology Division

Phone: (618) 437-5321 ext. 1261

Email: AppliedScience@rlc.edu

Address: 468 N. Ken Gray Parkway, Ina, IL 62846 Attn: Applied Science

Fax Number: (618) 437-5677 Attn: Applied Science

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