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Associate of Science Degree
Computer Information Technology/Cybersecurity

The following curriculum meets the requirement for a degree in Computer Information Technology/Cybersecurity. The courses needed for the degree are designed for those wishing to pursue a career in Computer Information Technology with emphasis in Cybersecurity.

Please contact the Student Success Team for this program if you have any questions.

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Sample Education Plan

This sample education plan for the 2023-2024 catalog year represents one possible pathway through the program. Each university (UC, CSU, private, and others) has their own transfer requirements; please see a counselor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs. Additional course descriptions may be found in the College Catalog.
Select sample path/map:
CourseUnitsTypically Offered
1st Semester
CIT 101 - Introduction to Computer Information Technology (RHC GE 8B)M3.0
CIT 101 - Introduction to Computer Information Technology (3.0 units)

Advisory: CIT 051; It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
Transfers to: UC, CSU

This course is an examination of information systems and their role in business. It will focus on information systems, database management systems, networking, e-commerce, ethics and security, computer systems hardware and software components. It will apply these concepts and methods through hands-on projects developing computer-based solutions to business problems.

CIT 111 - Introduction to ProgrammingM3.0
CIT 111 - Introduction to Programming (3.0 units)

Advisory:CIT 101; It is advised that students have a knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
Transfers to: UC,CSU

This course is for students who want to develop the problem-solving abilities required to work in the computer field. Programming concepts are discussed through a variety of techniques including hierarchy diagrams, flow-charting, data diagrams, and pseudocode. The course will also include information on integrated development environments (IDEs).

ENGL 101 - College Composition and Research (RHC GE 1b and 8a)GE3.5
ENGL 101 - College Composition and Research (3.5 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or eligibility for college composition.
Transfers to:UC, CSU

This composition course enables students to generate logical, coherent essays that incorporate sources necessary for academic and professional success. Students become proficient in researching, evaluating, and incorporating sources, and in learning critical reading and thinking skills through expository and persuasive reading selections before applying these skills to creating original documented essays. The writing workshop component of the course is designed to assist students with improving and refining their writing and language skills: Students complete writing workshop activities that enhance their ability to compose logical, well-supported arguments that exhibit grammatical fluency and correct citation styles. Students meet with composition instructors through individual or small group conferences that address students’ specific writing concerns. This course is designed for students who wish to fulfill the General Education requirement for Written Communication.

RHC GE 3 - Physical EducationGE1.0

Select one: KINA or DANC activity course.
Students who have completed a Fire, Police, Wildland Fire, or Corrections Academy from an accredited institution are automatically waived from this requirement, as are students with a DD214 on file. Exemption may be granted to those students physically unable to complete this requirement. Exemption forms are available in Student Health & Psychological Services.

ElectiveEL3.0

Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options.

Total Semester Units:13.5 
2nd Semester
Select one: MATH 130 / MATH 130H / PSY 190 / MATH 170 / MATH 190 / MATH 190H (RHC GE 2)M4.0
MATH 130 - Statistics (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of a pre-statistics or an intermediate algebra course.
Advisory: ENGL 101; READ 101
Transfers to: UC (*crdit limit),CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 130 or MATH 130H)

This course is designed for students majoring in business, social sciences, and life sciences. This course provides an overview of descriptive and inferential statistics. Students learn to read, interpret, and present data in a well-organized way via a study of frequency distributions, graphs, measures of central tendency and variability, correlation, and linear regression. While discussing inferential statistics, students learn to make generalizations about populations, including probability, sampling techniques, confidence intervals, and hypothesis tests.

MATH 130H - Statistics Honors (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of a pre-statistics or an intermediate algebra course. ENGL 101
Advisory: READ 101
Transfers to: UC (8credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 130 or MATH 130H)

This course is designed for students majoring in business, social sciences, and life sciences. This course provides an overview of descriptive and inferential statistics. Students learn to read, interpret, and present data in a well-organized way via a study of frequency distributions, graphs, measures of central tendency and variability, correlation, and linear regression. While discussing inferential statistics, students learn to make generalizations about populations, including probability, sampling techniques, confidence intervals, and hypothesis tests. This course is intended for students who meet Honors Program requirements.

PSY 190 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of a pre-statistics or an intermediate algebra course.
Advisory:ENGL 101 and the ability to read college-level texts.
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*The UC will grant credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 130 or MATH 130H or PSY 190)

This course provides an overview of the types of statistics that are important in the behavioral sciences. It is designed to teach students majoring in psychology, sociology, political science, and anthropology how to present and interpret experimental data. The course focuses on hypothesis testing and the statistics used to analyze assumptions, with topics including basic probability, measures of central tendency, measures of variance, sampling, and inferential statistics.

MATH 170 - Elements of Calculus (4.0 units)

Prerequisite: MATH 160 or appropriate placement
Advisory: ENGL 101; READ 101
Transfers to: UC (8credit limit),CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 170, MATH 190, or MATH 190H)

This is a one-semester course in the fundamentals of algebra-based calculus and its applications to the fields of business, economics, social sciences, biology, and technology. Course topics include graphing of functions; applications of derivatives and integrals of functions including polynomials; rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions; multivariable derivatives; and differential equations.

MATH 190 - Calculus I (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:MATH 180
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 170, MATH 190 or MATH 190H)

MATH 190 is a semester course designed primarily for those students planning to pursue programs in engineering, mathematics, computer science, and physical sciences. This is the first course in differential and integral calculus of a single variable. It includes topics in functions, limits and continuity, techniques and applications of differentiation and integration and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.

MATH 190H - Calculus I Honors (4.0 units)

Prerequisite: MATH 180; ENGL 101
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 170, MATH 190 or MATH 190H)

MATH 190H is a semester course designed primarily for those students planning to pursue programs in engineering, mathematics, computer science, and physical sciences. This course includes topics of differential and integral calculus of a single variable. This course is intended for students who meet Honors Program requirements.

CIT 180 - PC Maintenance-A+ CertificationM4.0
CIT 180 - PC Maintenance-A+ Certification (4.0 units)

Prerequisite: CIT 101
Transfers to: CSU

This course will prepare students with the necessary competencies of an entry-level IT professional with hands-on experience and theory in computer technology, networking and security. The student will also learn communication skills and professionalism now required of all entry-level IT professionals. This course is intended for IT students wishing to prepare for the CompTIA A+ Essentials and CompTIA A+ Practical Application examinations, the two exams required to achieve CompTIA A+ certified status.

Select one: CIT 171 / CIT 210 M3.0
CIT 171 - Network + (3.0 units)

Prerequisite: CIT 101 or CIT 114
Transfers to: CSU

This course provides an overview of the architecture, structure, functions, components, and models of the Internet and other computer networks. The principles and structure of Internet protocol (IP) addressing and the fundamentals of ethernet, media, and operations concepts are introduced to provide a foundation for further study of computer networks. The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) layered models are used to examine the nature and roles of protocols and services at the application, network, data link, and physical layers. This course prepares students for the CompTIA Network+ certification exam.

CIT 210 - Cisco Networking I (3.0 units)

Prerequisite: CIT 101
Advisory:CIT 180
Transfers to: CSU

This course introduces the architecture, structure, functions, components, and models of the Internet and other computer networks. The principles and structure of IP (Internet Protocol) addressing and the fundamentals of Ethernet concepts, media, and operations are introduced to provide a foundation for further study of computer networks. It uses the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) layered models to examine the nature and roles of protocols and services at the application, network, data link, and physical layers. This course is also the first of two courses designed to prepare students for the ICND 1 examination to achieve CCENT (Cisco® Certified Entry Networking Technician) Certification and helps in preparation for the CompTIA Network+ certification exam.

RHC GE 5 - Natural Science with LabGE4.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one Natural Science with Lab:
ANTH 101, 101H & 101L;
ASTR 110, 110H & 112, 137;
BIOL 101, 105 & 105L, 111 & 111L, 112, 120 & 120L;
BIOT 100;
CHEM 110, 120, 130;
GEOG 101 & 101L;
GEOL 150 & 151, 152 & 152L;
PHY 120, 150, 160, 211, 212, 213

Total Semester Units:15.0 
Summer 1
Select one: CIT 170 / CIT 192 / CIT 200 / CIT 214 / MGMT 208 M3.0
CIT 170 - Server + (3.0 units)

Prerequisite: CIT 101
Transfers to: CSU

This course will provide a student with the knowledge and skills required to build, maintain, troubleshoot and support server hardware and software technologies. The student will be able to identify environmental issues; understand and comply with disaster recovery and physical/ software security procedures; become familiar with industry terminology and concepts; understand server roles/specializations and interaction within the overall computing environment. This course also prepares students for the current version of CompTIA's Server+ certification exam.

CIT 192 - Security + (3.0 units)

Prerequisite: CIT 171, CIT 210
Advisory: CIT 180
Transfers to: CSU

This course is an introduction to information technology security and risk management at the organizational level. The course addresses hardware, software, processes, communications, applications, and policies and procedures with respect to organizational cybersecurity and risk management. This course prepares students for the CompTIA Security+ certification exam, and is intended to help students meet educational requirements to qualify for entry-level information technology jobs with cybersecurity skills.

CIT 200 - Systems Analysis and Design (3.0 units)

Prerequisite: CIT 101 or CIT 114
Transfers to:CSU

The course presents a systematic methodology for analyzing a business problem or opportunity, determining what role, if any, computer-based technologies can play in addressing the business need, articulating business requirements for the technology solution, specifying alternative approaches to acquiring the technology capabilities needed to address the business requirements, and specifying the requirements for the information systems solution in particular, in-house development, development from third-party providers, or purchased commercial-off-the-shelf packages.

CIT 214 - Cisco Networking II (3.0 units)

Prerequisite: CIT 210
Advisory:CIT 180
Transfers to: CSU

This second course in the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) curriculum series focuses on switching technologies and router operations that support small-to-medium business networks, and includes wireless local area networks (WLAN) and security concepts. In addition to learning key switching and routing concepts, students perform basic network configuration and troubleshooting, identify and mitigate LAN security threats, and configure and secure a basic WLAN.

MGMT 208 - Business Communications (3.0 units)

Prerequisite: ENGL 101
Transfers to: CSU

This course covers the principles of effective writing in business. The course provides extensive experience using the different forms of business writing: memorandums, letters, reports, and resumes. Cultural differences and their impact on communicating in business are studied. This course satisfies the business communications component for the Associate in Science in Business Administration for Transfer degree.

RHC GE 7a - Fine ArtsGE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one:
ARCH 103
ART 101, 104, 105, 105H, 106, 106H, 107, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113, 115, 117, 120, 130, 135, 140;
DANC 179, 179H, 199, 199H;
GDSN 110:
MUS 101, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135, 136;
MUST 151, 152;
PHTO 110, 130;
THTR 101, 105, 105H, 110

Total Semester Units:6.0 
3rd Semester
Select one: CIT 125 / CIT 127 / CIT 135 M3.0†
CIT 125 - Introduction to C++ Programming (4.0 units)

Advisory:CIT101, CIT 111
Transfers to: UC, CSU

This course is for students who want to complete the requirements for the Computer Information Technology degree, or professionals who want to continue developing their programming skills using Visual C++ programming language. The course covers the fundamentals of software development using the most popular language (C++). Topics covered include designing, writing the source code, compiling, linking, executing, debugging, data types, arithmetic/logical expressions, pointers, looping, branching, classes, objects, and static and dynamic memory allocation.

CIT 127 - Python Programming I (3.0 units)

Prerequisite:CIT 111
Transfers to:UC, CSU

This course is an introduction to the discipline of computer science, with a focus on the design and implementation of algorithms to solve simple problems using Python. Topics include fundamental programming constructs, problem-solving strategies, debugging techniques, declaration models, and an overview of procedural and object-oriented programming languages. Students will learn to design, implement, test, and debug algorithms using pseudocode and Python.

CIT 135 - Introduction to Java Programming (4.0 units)

Advisory:CIT 101, CIT 111
Transfers to: UC, CSU

This course is intended for students who want to complete the requirements for the Computer Information Technology degree, or professionals who want an introduction to Java programming. The course will cover the fundamentals of software development using the most popular open source language (Java). Course topics include program design, algorithms, writing and testing source code, arithmetic/logic expressions, control structures, objects, and basic Java structures.

CIT 221 - Ethical HackingM3.0
CIT 221 - Ethical Hacking (3.0 units)

Prerequisite: CIT 171 or CIT 210 and CIT 192 all with a grade of "C" or better
Transfers to: CSU

This course introduces the network security specialist to the various methodologies for attacking a network. Students will be introduced to the concepts, principles, and techniques, supplemented by hands-on exercises, for attacking and disabling a network within the context of properly securing a network. The course will emphasize network attack methodologies with the emphasis on student use of network attack techniques and tools and appropriate defenses and countermeasures. Students will receive course content information through a variety of methods: lecture and demonstration of hacking tools will be used in addition to a virtual environment. Students will experience a hands-on practical approach to penetration testing measures and ethical hacking.

RHC GE 6 - Social and Behavioral ScienceGE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one:
AJ 101
ANTH 102, 102H, 103, 104, 110, 115, 125;
CD 106, 208;
CHST 101, 146, 148, 148H, 150;
ECON 101, 101H, 102, 102H, 106, 135;
EGSS 110, 120, 130;
GEOG 102, 103;
HIST 101, 102, 122, 131, 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 167, 170;
HUM 110, 111, 125, 125H, 130;
KIN 170, 190, 195
MSCM 128;
PHIL 128, 128H, 135;
POLS 110, 110H, 115, 125, 128, 128H, 130, 135,140,150;
PSY 101, 101H, 112, 114, 180, 200;
SOC 101, 101H, 102, 105, 110, 114, 116, 120, 127, 130;
SPCH 150

RHC GE 7b - HumanitiesGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units. 

Select one:
ANTH 104;
ASL 101, 124, 201, 202;
CHIN 101, 102;
CHST 101, 146, 148, 148H, 150;
EGSS 130;
ENGL 126, 131;
FR 101, 102, 201, 202;
HIST 101, 102, 122, 131, 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 167, 170;
HUM 110, 111, 125, 125H, 130, 140, 145;
JAPN 101, 102;
LIT 102, 102H, 112A, 112AH, 112B, 112BH, 114, 114H, 117, 117H, 130, 130H,140, 140H, 141, 141H, 142, 142H, 144A, 144AH, 144B, 144BH, 145, 145H, 146A, 146AH, 146B, 146BH, 147, 147H, 148, 148H, 149, 149H;
MSCM 128;
PHIL 101, 101H, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 128H, 135, 140;
POLS 128, 128H, 150;
SPAN 101, 101S, 102, 102S, 201, 201H, 202;
SPCH 130, 132

ElectiveEL3.0

Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options.

Total Semester Units:15.0† 
4th Semester
Select one: CIT 170 / CIT 192 / CIT 200 / CIT 214 / MGMT 208 M3.0
CIT 170 - Server + (3.0 units)

Prerequisite: CIT 101
Transfers to: CSU

This course will provide a student with the knowledge and skills required to build, maintain, troubleshoot and support server hardware and software technologies. The student will be able to identify environmental issues; understand and comply with disaster recovery and physical/ software security procedures; become familiar with industry terminology and concepts; understand server roles/specializations and interaction within the overall computing environment. This course also prepares students for the current version of CompTIA's Server+ certification exam.

CIT 192 - Security + (3.0 units)

Prerequisite: CIT 171, CIT 210
Advisory: CIT 180
Transfers to: CSU

This course is an introduction to information technology security and risk management at the organizational level. The course addresses hardware, software, processes, communications, applications, and policies and procedures with respect to organizational cybersecurity and risk management. This course prepares students for the CompTIA Security+ certification exam, and is intended to help students meet educational requirements to qualify for entry-level information technology jobs with cybersecurity skills.

CIT 200 - Systems Analysis and Design (3.0 units)

Prerequisite: CIT 101 or CIT 114
Transfers to:CSU

The course presents a systematic methodology for analyzing a business problem or opportunity, determining what role, if any, computer-based technologies can play in addressing the business need, articulating business requirements for the technology solution, specifying alternative approaches to acquiring the technology capabilities needed to address the business requirements, and specifying the requirements for the information systems solution in particular, in-house development, development from third-party providers, or purchased commercial-off-the-shelf packages.

CIT 214 - Cisco Networking II (3.0 units)

Prerequisite: CIT 210
Advisory:CIT 180
Transfers to: CSU

This second course in the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) curriculum series focuses on switching technologies and router operations that support small-to-medium business networks, and includes wireless local area networks (WLAN) and security concepts. In addition to learning key switching and routing concepts, students perform basic network configuration and troubleshooting, identify and mitigate LAN security threats, and configure and secure a basic WLAN.

MGMT 208 - Business Communications (3.0 units)

Prerequisite: ENGL 101
Transfers to: CSU

This course covers the principles of effective writing in business. The course provides extensive experience using the different forms of business writing: memorandums, letters, reports, and resumes. Cultural differences and their impact on communicating in business are studied. This course satisfies the business communications component for the Associate in Science in Business Administration for Transfer degree.

RHC GE 4 - American InstitutionsGE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one:
POLS 110, 110H;
HIST 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 170

RHC GE 3 - Physical EducationGE1.0

Select one: KINA or DANC activity course.
Students who have completed a Fire, Police, Wildland Fire, or Corrections Academy from an accredited institution are automatically waived from this requirement, as are students with a DD214 on file. Exemption may be granted to those students physically unable to complete this requirement. Exemption forms are available in Student Health & Psychological Services.

ElectiveEL3.0

Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options.

ElectiveEL3.0

Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options.

Total Semester Units:13.0 
Total Units for Computer Information Technology/Cybersecurity AS program 62.5† 
Notes:
AP exams and courses taken outside of Rio Hondo College may fulfill general education and/or major requirements. Please check with a counselor.
Legend:
Some classes may have higher units
M Major course; course may also meet a general education requirement
GEGeneral Education course
ELElective Course
Advising Sheet:
Click or tap here to open the program's advising sheet.

Program Learning Outcomes

1

Students will demonstrate knowledge of security policies for businesses.


2

Students will understand objectives of security policies for businesses and the IT infrastructure of these policies.


3

Students will demonstrate proficiency in IT infrastructure security.


4

Students will learn to identify risks and use tools for the prevention, detection, and mitigation of threats to computer systems; and the recovery and accountability of systems.


5

Students will apply critical-thinking skills in applying cybersecurity solutions.


About RHC

Rio Hondo College, serving the communities of El Monte, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, and Whittier for over 50 years.

Contact

Rio Hondo College
3600 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601

Phone: (562) 692-0921
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