Applied Computer Technology AS

Embark on a coding journey with an AS program in Applied Computer Technology. Turn lines of code into solutions.

Overview for Applied Computer Technology AS

The associate in science (AS) in applied computer technology is an associate+bachelor’s degree program designed to prepare deaf and hard-of-hearing students to enter and successfully complete a bachelor's degree in RIT’s Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. This program is available for qualified deaf and hard of hearing students.

The associate of science degree in applied computer technology is an Associate+Bachelor’s Degree Program, offered by RIT's National Technical Institute for the Deaf, that prepares students to enter and successfully complete a bachelor’s degree program. The program offers you unparalleled academic support and students strengthen their skills by taking courses taught by NTID faculty.

You start with an AS is applied computer technology that provides you with the courses and credit you need to enroll in and successfully complete a bachelor’s degree program. Upon completion of your AS in applied computer technology, provided you maintain a 2.8 or higher grade point average in the program, you will enroll in RIT’s Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences, where you can choose to complete a bachelor’s degree in computing and information technologies, human-centered computing, or web and mobile computing.*

As a graduate of the Associate+Bachelor's Degree Program, you will be prepared for a variety of entry-level jobs in the computer support area including:

Networking and System Administrator
Web and Multimedia Content Developer
Programming and Application Developer
Wireless Data Networking Administrator

* Effective as of academic year 2018-2019 the web and mobile computing concentration in the applied computer technology AS program will not be offered. Students interested in a bachelor’s degree in web and mobile computing should begin their studies through enrollment in the mobile application development AAS program.

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First-year students can apply for Early Decision II by Jan. 1 to get an admissions and financial aid assessment by mid-January.

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Curriculum for 2024-2025 for Applied Computer Technology AS

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

View Printable Curriculum

Applied Computer Technology (computing and information technologies concentration), AS degree, typical course sequence

Course		Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
MATH-131	Discrete Mathematics (General Education) This course is an introduction to the topics of discrete mathematics, including number systems, sets and logic, relations, combinatorial methods, graph theory, regular sets, vectors, and matrices. (Prerequisites: MATH-101, MATH-111, NMTH-260, NMTH-272 or NMTH-275 or a Math Placement Exam score of at least 35.) Lecture 4 (Fall, Spring).	4
NACA-120	Survey of Computational Problem Analysis This course covers the fundamentals of computational problem analysis and problem-solving methodologies. Students will be introduced to logical strategies and structures that can be used to frame narrative problems into programmable structures, to develop testing plans, to effectively analyze and remove errors, and to ensure the resulting solution satisfies the original requirements. As part of this exploration, students will learn to independently and collaboratively solve computational problems using various methods. (This class is restricted to APLCMP-AAS, APLCMP-AS, or MAPDD-AAS Major students.) Lec/Lab 6 (Fall, Spring).	4
NACA-121	Survey of Computational Problem Analysis II This course is a continuation of NACA-120 that delves further into problem solving and software development with a focus on object-oriented design and development. Students will continue to learn basic software design, incremental development, testing, and verification. Students will also learn key topics including classes, objects, encapsulation, inheritance, interfaces, software design comprised of multiple classes, UML (Unified Modeling Language) as a design/documentation tool, data structures, exception/error handling, and file I/O. (Prerequisites: NACA-120 or NMAD-180 or equivalent course with a grade of C or better.) Lec/Lab 6 (Fall, Spring).	4
NACA-172	Website Development This course introduces students to web page and small-scale website development. Through hands-on laboratory experiences, students will learn the fundamental concepts needed to construct web pages that follow appropriate coding standards as well as basic design principles to present content in an attractive and organized manner. Topics include HTML, CSS, graphical elements, website publishing, and transfer protocols. (NTID Supported Students.) Lec/Lab 4 (Fall, Spring).	3
NCAR-010	Freshman Seminar The course provides incoming deaf and hard-of-hearing students admitted to NTID undergraduate programs with opportunities to develop/enhance academic skills, personal awareness, and community involvement in order to maximize their college experience. Students will have opportunities to explore and navigate the college environment, develop/reinforce academic skills, and participate in experiential learning opportunities while establishing meaningful connections with faculty, staff and peers. The course promotes the development of plans for ongoing growth and involvement in class and in the RIT/NTID and/or broader community. (NTID Supported Students.) Lec/Lab 2 (Fall, Spring).	0
NMTH-275	Advanced Mathematics (General Education) Topics from precalculus mathematics are studied with an emphasis on functions and graphs. Topics include the algebra of functions and the study of inverse functions. Rational, exponential, logarithmic and piecewise-defined functions are among those studied. Students, who earn credit for NMTH-275, cannot take NMTH-260 or NMTH-272. (Prerequisites: This class is restricted to NTID supported students that have completed NMTH-212 or equivalent course with a grade of C- or better or have a math placement score greater than or equal to 40.) Lecture 4 (Fall, Spring).	3
NSSA-102	Computer Systems Concepts This course teaches the student the essential technologies needed by NSSA majors, focused on PC and mainframe hardware topics. They include how those platforms operate, how they are configured, and the operation of their major internal components. Also covered are the basic operating system interactions with those platforms, physical security of assets, and computing-centric mathematical concepts. Lab 2, Lecture 4 (Fall, Spring).	3
	General Education – Artistic Perspective	3
	General Education – Scientific Principles Perspective	3
Choose one of the following:		3
ISTE-110	FYW: Ethics in Computing (General Education – First Year Writing) Computing and the Internet are now integral parts of our lives. In this course, we consider and discuss how ethical theories and principles can inform and provide guidance about interactions and uses of computing technologies. Topics include the development interpretation, and application of ethical theory, moral values, personal responsibility, codes of conduct, ethics in the real and virtual worlds, intellectual property, and information security. This is a Writing Intensive (WI) course. Students are provided with guidance and opportunities for improving informal and formal writing skills. Grades received on writing assignments will constitute a significant component of the final course grade. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
UWRT-150	FYW: Writing Seminar (General Education – First Year Writing) Writing Seminar is a three-credit course limited to 19 students per section. The course is designed to develop first-year students’ proficiency in analytical and rhetorical reading and writing, and critical thinking. Students will read, understand, and interpret a variety of non-fiction texts representing different cultural perspectives and/or academic disciplines. These texts are designed to challenge students intellectually and to stimulate their writing for a variety of contexts and purposes. Through inquiry-based assignment sequences, students will develop academic research and literacy practices that will be further strengthened throughout their academic careers. Particular attention will be given to the writing process, including an emphasis on teacher-student conferencing, critical self-assessment, class discussion, peer review, formal and informal writing, research, and revision. Small class size promotes frequent student-instructor and student-student interaction. The course also emphasizes the principles of intellectual property and academic integrity for both current academic and future professional writing. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
Second Year
CSEC-102	Information Assurance and Security Computer-based information processing is a foundation of contemporary society. As such, the protection of digital information, and the protection of systems that process this information has become a strategic priority for both the public and private sectors. This course provides an overview of information assurance and security concepts, practices, and trends. Topics include computing and networking infrastructures, risk, threats and vulnerabilities, legal and industry requirements for protecting information, access control models, encryption, critical national infrastructure, industrial espionage, enterprise backup, recovery, and business continuity, personal system security, and current trends and futures. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).	3
GCIS-124	Software Development and Problem Solving II A second course that delves further into computational problem solving, now with a focus on an object-oriented perspective. There is a continued emphasis on basic software design, testing & verification, and incremental development. Key topics include theoretical abstractions such as classes, objects, encapsulation, inheritance, interfaces, polymorphism, software design comprising multiple classes with UML, data structures (e.g. lists, trees, sets, maps, and graphs), exception/error handling, I/O including files and networking, concurrency, and graphical user interfaces. Additional topics include basic software design principles (coupling, cohesion, information expert, open-closed principle, etc.), test driven development, design patterns, data integrity, and data security. (Prerequisite: C- or better in SWEN-123 or CSEC-123 or GCIS-123 or equivalent course.) Lab 6 (Fall, Spring, Summer).	4
ISTE-230	Introduction to Database and Data Modeling A presentation of the fundamental concepts and theories used in organizing and structuring data. Coverage includes the data modeling process, basic relational model, normalization theory, relational algebra, and mapping a data model into a database schema. Structured Query Language is used to illustrate the translation of a data model to physical data organization. Modeling and programming assignments will be required. Note: students should have one course in object-oriented programming. (Prerequisites: ISTE-120 or ISTE-200 or IGME-101 or IGME-105 or CSCI-140 or CSCI-142 or NACA-161 or NMAD-180 or BIOL-135 or GCIS-123 or GCIS-127 or equivalent course.) Lec/Lab 3 (Fall, Spring).	3
ISTE-240	Web & Mobile II This course builds on the basics of web page development that are presented in Web and Mobile I and extends that knowledge to focus on theories, issues, and technologies related to the design and development of web sites. An overview of web design concepts, including usability, accessibility, information architecture, and graphic design in the context of the web will be covered. Introduction to web site technologies, including HTTP, web client and server programming, and dynamic page generation from a database also will be explored. Development exercises are required. (Prerequisites: (ISTE-120 or CSCI-140 or CSCI-141 or GCIS-127 or NACA-161 or IGME-105 or IGME-101 or NMAD-180 or GCIS-123) and (ISTE-140 or NACA-172 or IGME-230 or IGME-235) or equivalent course.) Lec/Lab 3 (Fall, Spring).	3
MATH-161	Applied Calculus (General Education) This course is an introduction to the study of differential and integral calculus, including the study of functions and graphs, limits, continuity, the derivative, derivative formulas, applications of derivatives, the definite integral, the fundamental theorem of calculus, basic techniques of integral approximation, exponential and logarithmic functions, basic techniques of integration, an introduction to differential equations, and geometric series. Applications in business, management sciences, and life sciences will be included with an emphasis on manipulative skills. (Prerequisite: C- or better in MATH-101, MATH-111, MATH-131, NMTH-260, NMTH-272 or NMTH-275 or Math Placement Exam score greater than or equal to 45.) Lecture 4 (Fall, Spring).	4
NSSA-220	Task Automation Using Interpretive Languages An introduction to the Linux operating system and scripting in high-level and shell languages. The course will cover basic user-level commands to the Linux operating system, followed by basic control structures, and data structures in both high-level and shell languages of choice. Examples will include interfacing with the underlying operating system and processing structured data. Students will need one year of programming in an object-oriented language. (Prerequisite: GCIS-124 or ISTE-121 or ISTE -200 or CSCI-142 or CSCI-140 or CSCI-242 or GCIS-127 or equivalent course.) Lec/Lab 3 (Fall, Spring).	3
NSSA-241	Introduction to Routing and Switching This course provides an introduction to wired network infrastructures, topologies, technologies, and the protocols required for effective end-to-end communication. Basic security concepts for TCP/IP based technologies are introduced. Networking layers 1, 2, and 3 are examined in-depth using the International Standards Organization’s Open Systems Interconnection and TCP/IP models as reference. Course topics focus on the TCP/IP protocol suite, the Ethernet LAN protocol, switching technology, and routed and routing protocols common in TCP/IP networks. The lab assignments mirror the lecture content , providing an experiential learning component for each topic covered. (Prerequisites: NSSA-102 or CSEC-101 or CSEC-140 or NACT-151 or CSCI-250 or equivalent courses.) Lab 2, Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).	3
	General Education – Ethical Perspective	3
	General Education – Global Perspective	3
	General Education – Social Perspective	3
Total Semester Credit Hours		62

Please see the NTID General Education Curriculum (GE) for more information.

Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing associate degrees are required to complete one Wellness course.

† Critical Reading and Writing (UWRT-100) may be required based on placement. Students who satisfy the placement requirement may take any General Education Elective.

Applied computer technology (human-centered computing concentration), AS degree, typical course sequence

Course		Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
NACA-120	Survey of Computational Problem Analysis I This course covers the fundamentals of computational problem analysis and problem-solving methodologies. Students will be introduced to logical strategies and structures that can be used to frame narrative problems into programmable structures, to develop testing plans, to effectively analyze and remove errors, and to ensure the resulting solution satisfies the original requirements. As part of this exploration, students will learn to independently and collaboratively solve computational problems using various methods. (This class is restricted to APLCMP-AAS, APLCMP-AS, or MAPDD-AAS Major students.) Lec/Lab 6 (Fall, Spring).	4
NACA-121	Survey of Computational Problem Analysis II This course is a continuation of NACA-120 that delves further into problem solving and software development with a focus on object-oriented design and development. Students will continue to learn basic software design, incremental development, testing, and verification. Students will also learn key topics including classes, objects, encapsulation, inheritance, interfaces, software design comprised of multiple classes, UML (Unified Modeling Language) as a design/documentation tool, data structures, exception/error handling, and file I/O. (Prerequisites: NACA-120 or NMAD-180 or equivalent course with a grade of C or better.) Lec/Lab 6 (Fall, Spring).	4
NACA-172	Website Development This course introduces students to web page and small-scale website development. Through hands-on laboratory experiences, students will learn the fundamental concepts needed to construct web pages that follow appropriate coding standards as well as basic design principles to present content in an attractive and organized manner. Topics include HTML, CSS, graphical elements, website publishing, and transfer protocols. (NTID Supported Students.) Lec/Lab 4 (Fall, Spring).	3
NCAR-010	Freshman Seminar The course provides incoming deaf and hard-of-hearing students admitted to NTID undergraduate programs with opportunities to develop/enhance academic skills, personal awareness, and community involvement in order to maximize their college experience. Students will have opportunities to explore and navigate the college environment, develop/reinforce academic skills, and participate in experiential learning opportunities while establishing meaningful connections with faculty, staff and peers. The course promotes the development of plans for ongoing growth and involvement in class and in the RIT/NTID and/or broader community. (NTID Supported Students.) Lec/Lab 2 (Fall, Spring).	0
NMAD-155	Survey of Emerging Visual Design This course focuses on the industry-standard tools used to create the visual elements of user interfaces for varying screen sizes and devices. Students in this course will identify common design elements and the techniques used to create these elements. Applying the design concepts, principles, theories and techniques learned in this course will increase students’ ability and preparation to design future interfaces that are intuitive and user-friendly. Students are expected to deliver projects with good application of responsive design layouts, typography, color, and other graphics. (NTID Supported Students.) Lec/Lab 4 (Fall).	3
NMTH-275	Advanced Mathematics (General Education) Topics from precalculus mathematics are studied with an emphasis on functions and graphs. Topics include the algebra of functions and the study of inverse functions. Rational, exponential, logarithmic and piecewise-defined functions are among those studied. Students, who earn credit for NMTH-275, cannot take NMTH-260 or NMTH-272. (Prerequisites: This class is restricted to NTID supported students that have completed NMTH-212 or equivalent course with a grade of C- or better or have a math placement score greater than or equal to 40.) Lecture 4 (Fall, Spring).	3
PSYC-101	Introduction to Psychology (General Education – Scientific Principles Perspective) Introduction to the field of psychology. Provides a survey of basic concepts, theories, and research methods. Topics include: thinking critically with psychological science; neuroscience and behavior; sensation and perception; learning; memory; thinking, language, and intelligence; motivation and emotion; personality; psychological disorders and therapy; and social psychology. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).	3
STAT-145	Introduction to Statistics I (General Education) This course introduces statistical methods of extracting meaning from data, and basic inferential statistics. Topics covered include data and data integrity, exploratory data analysis, data visualization, numeric summary measures, the normal distribution, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing. The emphasis of the course is on statistical thinking rather than computation. Statistical software is used. (Prerequisites: Any 100 level MATH course, or NMTH-260 or NMTH-272 or NMTH-275 or (NMTH-250 with a C- or better) or a Math Placement Exam score of at least 35.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).	3
	General Education – Scientific Principles Perspective	3
	General Education – Elective†	3
Choose one of the following:		3
ISTE-110	FYW: Ethics in Computing (WI) (General Education – First Year Writing) Computing and the Internet are now integral parts of our lives. In this course, we consider and discuss how ethical theories and principles can inform and provide guidance about interactions and uses of computing technologies. Topics include the development interpretation, and application of ethical theory, moral values, personal responsibility, codes of conduct, ethics in the real and virtual worlds, intellectual property, and information security. This is a Writing Intensive (WI) course. Students are provided with guidance and opportunities for improving informal and formal writing skills. Grades received on writing assignments will constitute a significant component of the final course grade. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
UWRT-150	FYW: Writing Seminar (General Education – First Year Writing) Writing Seminar is a three-credit course limited to 19 students per section. The course is designed to develop first-year students’ proficiency in analytical and rhetorical reading and writing, and critical thinking. Students will read, understand, and interpret a variety of non-fiction texts representing different cultural perspectives and/or academic disciplines. These texts are designed to challenge students intellectually and to stimulate their writing for a variety of contexts and purposes. Through inquiry-based assignment sequences, students will develop academic research and literacy practices that will be further strengthened throughout their academic careers. Particular attention will be given to the writing process, including an emphasis on teacher-student conferencing, critical self-assessment, class discussion, peer review, formal and informal writing, research, and revision. Small class size promotes frequent student-instructor and student-student interaction. The course also emphasizes the principles of intellectual property and academic integrity for both current academic and future professional writing. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
Second Year
GCIS-124	Software Development and Problem Solving II A second course that delves further into computational problem solving, now with a focus on an object-oriented perspective. There is a continued emphasis on basic software design, testing & verification, and incremental development. Key topics include theoretical abstractions such as classes, objects, encapsulation, inheritance, interfaces, polymorphism, software design comprising multiple classes with UML, data structures (e.g. lists, trees, sets, maps, and graphs), exception/error handling, I/O including files and networking, concurrency, and graphical user interfaces. Additional topics include basic software design principles (coupling, cohesion, information expert, open-closed principle, etc.), test driven development, design patterns, data integrity, and data security. (Prerequisite: C- or better in SWEN-123 or CSEC-123 or GCIS-123 or equivalent course.) Lab 6 (Fall, Spring, Summer).	4
ISTE-240	Web & Mobile II This course builds on the basics of web page development that are presented in Web and Mobile I and extends that knowledge to focus on theories, issues, and technologies related to the design and development of web sites. An overview of web design concepts, including usability, accessibility, information architecture, and graphic design in the context of the web will be covered. Introduction to web site technologies, including HTTP, web client and server programming, and dynamic page generation from a database also will be explored. Development exercises are required. (Prerequisites: (ISTE-120 or CSCI-140 or CSCI-141 or GCIS-127 or NACA-161 or IGME-105 or IGME-101 or NMAD-180 or GCIS-123) and (ISTE-140 or NACA-172 or IGME-230 or IGME-235) or equivalent course.) Lec/Lab 3 (Fall, Spring).	3
ISTE-252	Foundations of Mobile Design This course is an introduction to designing, prototyping, and creating applications and web applications for mobile devices. These devices include a unique set of hardware and communications capabilities, incorporate novel interfaces, are location aware, and provide persistent connectivity. Topics covered include user interaction patterns, connectivity, interface design, software design patterns, and application architectures. Programming projects are required. (Prerequisites: ISTE-240 or IGME-330 or equivalent course.) Lec/Lab 3 (Fall, Spring).	3
ISTE-262	Foundations of Human Centered Computing This course explores how the fields of psychology, digital design, and computing converge in the design, development, and evaluation of new technologies that people find effective and enjoyable to use. Students will investigate the field of human-computer interaction (HCI), with a focus on how users' various sensory, motor, and cognitive abilities are essential to their successful use of technology. Students will be exposed to modern research methods and paradigms in field of human-computer interaction, including predictive modeling, heuristic evaluation, interpretive methods, and experimental user testing. Students will learn key design principles and guidelines and apply them to analyze existing designs and conduct a design process that is centered on human users of technology. (Prerequisite: ISTE-140 or IGME-230 or NACA-172 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall).	3
PSYC-223	Cognitive Psychology This course examines how people perceive, learn, represent, remember and use information. Contemporary theory and research are surveyed in such areas as attention, pattern and object recognition, memory, knowledge representation, language acquisition and use, reasoning, decision making, problem solving, creativity, and intelligence. Applications in artificial intelligence and human/technology interaction may also be considered. (Prerequisites: PSYC-101 or PSYC-101H or completion of one (1) 200 level PSYC course.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).	3
STAT-146	Introduction to Statistics II (General Education) This course is an elementary introduction to the topics of regression and analysis of variance. The statistical software package Minitab will be used to reinforce these techniques. The focus of this course is on business applications. This is a general introductory statistics course and is intended for a broad range of programs. (Prerequisites: STAT-145 or equivalent course.) Lecture 6 (Fall, Spring, Summer).	4
	General Education – Ethical Perspective	3
	General Education – Artistic Perspective	3
	General Education – Global Perspective	3
	General Education – Social Perspective	3
Total Semester Credit Hours		61

Please see the NTID General Education Curriculum (GE) for more information.

Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing associate degrees are required to complete one Wellness course.

† Critical Reading and Writing (UWRT-100) may be required based on placement. Students who satisfy the placement requirement may take any General Education Elective.

‡ Raster and Vector Graphics (NAIS-130) AS/BS Section (only) may be substituted for NMDE-111.

Admissions and Financial Aid

For the AS degree leading to bachelor’s degree (Associate+Bachelor’s program)

2 years of math required; students interested in engineering, math and science transfer programs should have three or more years of math.
1 year of science required; students interested in engineering, math and science transfer programs should have two or more years of science.
Physics is recommended for students interested in engineering.
English language skills as evidenced by application materials determine associate degree options.

Specific English and mathematics requirements and other recommendations

The following prerequisites are necessary for admission into the applied computer technology AS major:

English: Placement into a First Year Writing course, such as FYW: Writing Seminar (UWRT-150).
Mathematics: Entrance into NTID’s NMTH-275 Advanced Math.
ACT (optional): The ACT middle 50% composite score is 18-21.

Learn How to Apply

Financial Aid and Scholarships

100% of all incoming first-year and transfer students receive aid.

RIT’s personalized and comprehensive financial aid program includes scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment programs. When all these are put to work, your actual cost may be much lower than the published estimated cost of attendance.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships

Faculty

October 7, 2022

NTID Career Fair helps deaf, hard-of-hearing students and alumni find co-ops, full-time jobs

More than 30 employers returned to the RIT/NTID campus since the start of the pandemic to recruit a new cohort of talented deaf and hard-of-hearing students and alumni for open co-op or full-time positions.
February 10, 2022

NTID alumnus stars in Oscar-nominated film ‘CODA’

RIT/NTID alumnus Daniel Durant ’11 (applied computer technology) is undoubtedly celebrating the latest accolades for the 2021 film CODA. Durant plays a major supporting role in the newly Oscar-nominated comedy-drama, a coming-of-age film.