Programs
It's not just the same old electronics any more. The major overhaul of the entire department that has been underway for the last three years now gives students multiple options of study.
Look below for descriptions of what is available.
Note: For existing courses, if you click on the course number you will go to the college's complete course description. For new courses, we have provided the description at this location while we wait for the college to update the main site.
What you can study:
Criminal Justice: Computer Forensics
Electronic Security and Surveillance Technician
Electronics Technology
Program Description
Designed to prepare the student for employment in industry by providing an extensive background in electronics theory with laboratory application. Employment would be at the level of entry-level technologist/technician or engineering assistant.
Required Courses
Course Title Units ECTRN 50 - DC Electronic Principles 4 ECTRN 51 - AC Electronic Principles 4 ECTRN 52 - Semiconductor Devices 4 ECTRN 53 - Communications and Operational Amplifiers 4 ECTRN 60 - Digital Fundamentals 4 ECTRN 61 - Digital Systems: Principles and Applications 4 ECTRN 140 - Mathematics for Electronics 4 ECTRN 141 - Mathematics for Electronics 4 MT 162 - Robotics Manufacturing Systems 3 35
ECTRN 132 and ECTRN 133 (2-units each) may be substituted for ECTRN 140, and ECTRN 134 and ECTRN 135 (2-units each) may be substitute for ECTRN 141.
About this Program
This is the existing Electronics program as of the Fall of 2006. Recent changes include the elimination of the 1 unit fabrication (soldering) class and the inclusion of that instruction throughout ECTRN 50, 51, 52, and 53, the removal of ECTRN 126 and 128, and the inclusion of MT 162.
Students may start at any one of four points in the program. Some students start with Math for Electronics. Some start with Digital Fundamentals (ECTRN 60) because of their interest in Programmable Logic Controllers and the manufacturing processes. Some students start with the conventional path of DC (ECTRN 50) then AC (ECTRN 51), etc.
After completion of these courses, the student is eligible for a Certificate of Completion in Electronics Technology. The student may earn an Associate of Science Degree in Electronics Technology after completing these courses and the 21 units of general education plus electives for a total of 60 units as outlined in the college catalog.
Criminal Justice: Computer Forensics
Computer forensics involves obtaining and analyzing digital information from computer media for use as evidence in civil, criminal, or administrative cases. Investigating computers typically includes securely collecting computer data, examining the suspect data to determine details such as origin and content, presenting computer based information to courts, and applying laws to computer practice.
Required Courses
Course Title Units CIS 1 - Introduction to Computers 3 CJ 51 - Criminal Investigation 3 CJ 53 - Legal Aspects of Evidence 3 ECTRN 122 - Computer Network+ Technology 4 ECTRN 124 - Computer Security+ Technology 4 ECTRN 126 - A+ Computer Hardware Technology 4 ECTRN 128 - A+ Computer Operating Systems
Technology4 ECTRN 172 - Computer Forensics: Evidence Recovery 1.5 ECTRN 173 - Computer Forensics Investigation 3 ECTRN 174 - Computer Forensics: Operating
Systems Internals3 LR 51 - World Wide Web Searching 1 33.5
Note: CIS 172 is equivilant to ECTRN 172. CIS 173 is equivalent to ECTRN 173. CIS 174 is equivalent to ECTRN 174.
About this Program
In recent years, evidence gathered in criminal cases has increasingly included computer information. Criminals rarely keep evidence in files named "How I Did It.doc", so finding the clues can require special skills and be quite challenging. More and more civil and administrative actions are also being decided on information gathered from computers as well. Weather its actual illegal activity, financial data, correspondence, or simply tracing the chronology of actions, the information must be gathered in a specific manner in order to comply with the requirements of the American criminal justice system.
This program is designed for individuals who wish to become computer forensic investigators in the criminal justice system. This program also fulfils the requirements for individuals seeking the necessary education to become information security specialists managing computer networks.
After completion of these courses, the student is eligible for a Certificate of Completion in Criminal Justice: Computer Forensics. The student may earn an Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice: Computer Forensics after completing these courses and the 21 units of general education plus electives for a total of 60 units as outlined in the college catalog. Completing students will also be ready to take the Computer Forensics Investigation certification tests offered by the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists.
Prerequisite information:
- CIS 1, CJ 51, CJ 53, ECTRN 122, ECTRN 126, ECTRN 128, ECTRN 172, and LR 51 do not have prerequisites and may be taken in any order.
- ECTRN 122 must be completed before ECTRN 124.
- CIS 1 must be taken before the student is eligible to enroll in ECTRN 173.
- Students wishing to enroll in ECTRN 174 must have completed ECTRN 173.
If you believe that you have had the equivalent education that satisfies a prerequisite at another institution and would like to waive a prerequisite, please contact Mark Berrett before enrolling.
Click here to see enrollment path.
IMPORTANT NOTE: ECTRN 173 originally had an exclusion clause for students with felony or substance abuse convictions. That clause is no longer in effect as of the Fall of 2006.
Computer Investigations
Program Description
Designed to provide the student with the background necessary to pass the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS) certification tests in computer forensics investigation or the entrance examinations for the High Tech Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA).
Required Courses
Course Title Units CIS 1 - Introduction to Computers 3 CJ 51 - Criminal Investigation 3 ECTRN 172 - Computer Forensics: Evidence Recovery 1.5 ECTRN 173 - Computer Forensics Investigation 3 ECTRN 174 - Computer Forensics: Operating
Systems Internals3 13.5
About this Program
This program is designed for individuals currently working in the criminal justice system with a strong background in computer science, or computer science professionals with a strong background in criminal/civil justice.
Students who complete the above courses will be eligible for a Job Direct Certificate as well as be ready to take the Computer Forensics Investigation certification tests offered by the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists.
Prerequisite information:
- ECTRN 172 does not have a prerequisite.
- CIS 1 must be taken before the student is eligible to enroll in ECTRN 173. If you have had the equivalent education at another institution and believe you are eligible to waive the CIS 1 prerequisite, please contact Mark Berrett.
- Students wishing to enroll in ECTRN 174 must have completed ECTRN 173.
IMPORTANT NOTE: ECTRN 173 originally had an exclusion clause for students with felony or substance abuse convictions. That clause is no longer in effect as of the Fall or 2006.
Computer Information Security
Program Description
Designed to provide a single year method for students to gain the knowledge and skills required for industry recognized certification for computer servicing, network management, and information security. Students completing this program will be eligible for CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ Certification.
Required Courses
Course Title Units ECTRN 122 - Computer Network+ Technology 4 ECTRN 124 - Computer Security+ Technology 4 ECTRN 126 - A+ Computer Hardware Technology 4 ECTRN 128 - A+ Computer Operating Systems
Technology4 16
About this Program
A+ certification is generally considered a minimum requirement for anyone wishing to work as a technician on computers, computer systems, or networks in any industry that employs computer technicians. Network+ certification compliments the A+ certification by adding additional skills related to computer networks. Security+ certification adds the skills necessary to protect computer networks from attack.
The combination of these four courses provides the student with not only the background required to take the A+, Network+, and Security+ certification tests, but a solid base in the concepts and techniques used by computer information security technicians.
Completion of these courses leads to a Direct Job Certificate. ECTRN 124 is the only course that has a prerequisite - the others may be taken in any order.
Electronic Security and Surveillance Technician
Program Description
Designed to teach technicians the intricacies of evaluating, selecting, installing, servicing and operating electronic security and surveillance equipment. Along with the technical aspects of the field, students are exposed to the management and legal aspects of access control and surveillance. Special emphasis is placed on the ethical use of access control and information gathering.
Required Courses
Course Title Units CJ 1 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 ECTRN 111 - Fundamentals of Wire and Cabling 1 ECTRN 112 - Fundamentals of Fiber Optics 1 ECTRN 113 - Fundamentals of Wireless Communication 1 ECTRN 171 - Security and Surveillance Techniques 4 10
About this Program
Security is defined as access control, which means physically preventing access by unauthorized individuals. Individuals gain authorization through one of thee methods: What they have (key), what they know (password), or what they are (personal identity). Surveillance involves the monitoring of objects or individuals to enhance or enforce physical security. Surveillance can involve any or all of the five senses to collect information.
The introduction of electronics has greatly enhanced security and surveillance. Access can now be controlled by magnetic swipe cards, access codes, and biometrics. Electronic devices can now see (camera), hear (microphone), smell (sniffers), taste (chemical testers), and touch (heat detectors).
The electronic security market has grown exponentially in the last several years and is expected to continue to grow. Electronic surveillance, while a more specialized industry, is enjoying a growing base in some public areas such as airports and in the growing Indian Gaming industry in California.
Students who complete the above courses will be eligible for a Job Direct certificate. CJ 1, ECTRN 111, ECTRN 112, and ECTRN 113 may be taken in any order, but all four must be completed before the student is eligible to enroll in ECTRN 171. Students who have taken ECTRN 105, Cabling and Fiber Optics (course no longer offered), may waive ECTRN 111 and ECTRN 112.
Home Technology Integrator
Program Description
Designed to provide the student with the background necessary to install and maintain home technology, including computer networking, lighting controls, security systems, home entertainment systems including video, data, and voice, and heating ventilation and air conditioning control systems. Prepares the student for industry recognized CompTIA HTI+ certification.
Required Courses
Course Title Units IT 160 - Electrical Fundamentals 3 ECTRN 111 - Fundamentals of Wire and Cabling 1 ECTRN 112 - Fundamentals of Fiber Optics 1 ECTRN 113 - Fundamentals of Wireless Communication 1 ECTRN 175 - Home Technology Integration Techniques 4 10
About this Program
The science fiction vision of home automation with a robot in every home is now being replaced with a more practical concept of integrating electronic devices and personal computers to create a single, centrally controlled environment. Homeowners want to connect everyone and everything within the home. This new concept is referred to as the integrated home network, and those who install home networks are called home technology integrators (HTI).
HTI's integrate such diverse technologies as computer networks, lighting control, home security, home entertainment, heating and air conditioning, video, data and voice systems. In the past, each of these systems was installed and maintained by a separate individual; electrician, cabling technician, security installer, low-voltage expert, home entertainment installer, or computer servicing technician. The move in industry now is to have a single, educated technician perform all of these tasks in a holistic manner during construction, retrofitting, or maintenance.
IT 160, ECTRN 111, ECTRN 112, ECTRN 113, and ECTRN 175 may be taken in any order. Students may substitute ECTRN 101 (Introduction to Electricity and Electronics) or ECTRN 51 (AC Electronic Principles) and its prerequisites for IT 160.
Additional Courses
These courses are not directly affiliated with a program but are offered occasionally to round out the department.
Course Title Units ECTRN 101 - Introduction to Electricity and Electronics 3 ECTRN 102 - Electrical Safety 1 ECTRN 212 - FCC License Preparation 1 ECTRN 213 - FCC License Preparation 1
This page last updated 2/13/07 by Mark Berrett