Manufacturing, Engineering & Technology Cluster

About This Program

As both a Cisco and CompTIA Academy, our Information Technology Services program (ITS) prepares students for CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCENT, and Microsoft Certifications. In the course of the program, students actively learn the fundamentals of computer and networking technologies to meet the demands of the dynamic industry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Introduction to coding (programming) and web design are integral to the curriculum, as are opportunities for students to work at the Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School Help Desk, which is responsible for maintaining, upgrading, and repairing the school’s computers and printers on our Local Area Network (LAN). The Help Desk also provides technical support for the 1:1 iPad initiative, which provides iPads to all students, teachers and administrative staff and integrates a wide range of interactive digital media throughout the school. See below for full course descriptions.

Information Technology Services Course Descriptions

Course Number	Name	Credit	Grade Level
its101	Information Technology Services Exploratory 9	1	Grade 9
its103	Information Technology Services 9	10	Grade 9
its200	IT Essentials 10	16	Grade 10
its201	Information Science Theory 10	4	Grade 10
its300	Introduction to Networks and Cyber Security 11	20	Grade 11
its301	Applied Computer Science: Data Collection and Analysis 11	4	Grade 11
its305	ITS Cooperative Education 11	12	Grade 11
pmet301	CTAE Pathway: Communication & Career Essentials	2	Grade 11
pmet302	CTAE Pathway: Business Finance Professional Financial Literacy	2	Grade 11
its400	Routing and Switching Essentials 12	16	Grade 12
its401	Linux Essentials 12	4	Grade 12
its407	Applied Computer Science: Robotics 12	4	Grade 12
its405	ITS Cooperative Education 12	24	Grade 12
pmet401	CTAE Pathway: Civic Humanitarianism	2	Grade 12
pmet402	CTAE Pathway: Business Finance Professional Financial Literacy	2	Grade 12

Information Technology Services Exploratory 9 

Course # its101 | Credits: 1
This five-day cycle exploratory course introduces grade 9 students to the field of information technology through a variety of hands-on activities, including personal computer hardware, Microsoft Windows, open-source operating systems, fundamental networking concepts, and HTML website design. Safety considerations, employability skills, and career opportunities are highlighted throughout the cycle. 

Information Technology Services 9 

Course # its103 | Credits: 10
This semester-based course focuses on the essential knowledge and skills required to identify and explain the basics of computing, IT infrastructure, applications and software, software development, database fundamentals, and cybersecurity. Students will learn to use features and functions of common operating systems and establish network connectivity; identify common software applications and their purpose; and use security and web-browsing best practices. Other topics include an introduction to the fundamentals of the Linux operating system, terminal window commands, and basic open-source concepts. 

IT Essentials 10 

Course # its200 | Credits: 16
This full-year course introduces students to the fundamentals of computer hardware and software, mobile devices, security and networking concepts, and the responsibilities of an IT professional. Mobile devices, Linux, and client-side virtualization, as well as expanded information about Microsoft Windows operating systems, security, networking, and troubleshooting are covered. 

Information Science Theory 10 

Course # its201 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course embeds a variety of basic computational thinking and programming concepts through a project-based learning environment. Students learn to design, write, debug, and run programs encoded in the Python language. Students demonstrate their learning by completing small projects and text-based games. 

Introduction to Networks and Cyber Security 11 

Course # its300 | Credits: 20
This full-year course introduces students to a basic understanding of how networks operate and how to build simple local area networks (LAN), perform basic configurations for routers and switches, and implement the TCP/IP protocol stack across networks. Major units of study include network architecture, structure, functions and components of the Internet and other foundational OSI and TCP/IP protocol concepts. 

Applied Computer Science: Data Collection and Analysis 11 

Course # its301 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course is an extension of the programming knowledge students learn as part of their IT curriculum. Students take their understanding of programming in Python, and use it to dive deeper into applications involving data collection and analysis. The primary programming skills covered include how to write and read from files in Python and the matplotlib python library as a tool for data analysis and graphing. Students will also learn about microcontrollers, specifically Raspberry Pis, and use these to build sensors to collect a variety of data to be analyzed. Students will learn the basics of electronics and circuitry design to accomplish this goal. 

ITS Cooperative Education 11  

Course # its305  | Credits: 12 
This semester-based course provides qualified students with a career vocational technical employment opportunity. The program is designed to allow students on-the-job training by involving them in work that is directly related to their technical area of study. Cooperating employers provide additional training, pays students, and reports their performance to the school for every cycle. Please note that juniors are eligible for Cooperative Education during third and fourth quarters only. 

Routing and Switching Essentials 12 

Course # its400 | Credits: 16
This full-year course begins with the network architecture, components, and operations of routers and switches in small networks as an introduction to wireless local area networks (WLANs) and security concepts. Students learn how to configure and troubleshoot routers and switches for advanced functionality using security best practices and resolve common issues using protocols in both IPv4 and IPv6 networks. 

Linux Essentials 12 

Course # its401 | Credits: 4
This full-year course will expand student knowledge on Linux, terminal window commands, fundamental concepts of the operating system and its tools, and continue to build foundational knowledge of the open-source environment. Later in the year, students will work with Windows Server in a virtualized environment. Tasks include building a Windows Domain, DHCP service, deploying the Domain Name System (DNS) role on a Windows Server, installing and configuring a DomainController (DC), joining a Windows client to a Windows Domain, creating users, groups and Organizational Units (OUs) with Active Directory Users & Computers, Group Policy, and writing Powershell scripts.

Applied Computer Science: Robotics 

Course # its407 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course will focus on deepening students’ understanding of computer programming. Students will learn about more advanced programming skills such as object oriented programming, threading, file input/output, and computer vision techniques. They will also learn about electronics, including basic components and circuit design. All of this knowledge will be put together to design, build, and program a self driving car over the course of the class. 

ITS Cooperative Education 12 

Course # its405 | Credits: 24
This full-year course provides qualified students with a career technical employment opportunity. The program is designed to allow students on-the-job training by involving them in work that is directly related to their technical area of study. Cooperating employers provide additional training, pays students, and reports their performance to the school for every cycle.