Outside of owning a laptop, I don't know much about
computers, so I'm wondering how difficult the program would be
considering that.
It's difficult in terms of effort and time that you will need to
invest. The material is middle of the road but comes quickly.
Are there programming courses that require a lot of math?
Yes and no. Essentially, networking involves programming the
devices that make up a network. This is different from programming
applications.
You will learn a large set of specialized commands as you progress. The
math is just about precalculus level which is actually relatively easy. You
will need to know binary numbers and binary/decimal/hex conversions cold.
You should also be able to handle logic with your eyes closed and symbolic
pattern recognition is extremely helpful.
Outside of owning a laptop, I don't know much about
computers, so I'm wondering how difficult the program would be
considering that.
It's difficult in terms of effort and time that you will need to
invest. The material is middle of the road but comes quickly.
Can English 102 be substituted for English 227 (Technical Writing)
Short Answer: No.
Long Answer: No, unless you have very special circumstances. For example: coming to Ulster with an existing Bachelor's degree
English 102 has neither the rigor, nor the content that is required for this degree.
For a math example, what is the pattern here?
What do these numbers have in common?
00000001
00000010
00000100
00001000
00010000
00100000
01000000
10000000
10001010
00001001
01101011
11111111
10011001
10101010
01101100
(Hint write and read them in a column)
That's about as difficult as it gets.
Be aware that there is a lot of math that you will need to know. It's just not all that difficult.
Our MAT(h) 120 Class, (which you should take during your first fall at Ulster) will prepare you well for the program.
Alternately, if you really love math and you've passed pre-calc and are moving up, we sometimes substitute for the math 120 class.
I tried computer science way back when and was turned off
pretty quickly by the high levels of math needed.
Too bad, it's a good field but you do need a Bachelor's degree to
do well.
What is the workload like?
Remember that our core networking classes run on a compressed schedule. Two classes per semester vs one for lesser institutions.
As a rule, three hours "on your own" for every hour in the
classroom holds true for the networking curriculum. Cisco is rather
rigorous - which is why those who do well are paid well.
Semester I is somewhat less so, (2 for 1 perhaps). After that, the
routine goes something like this:
Read the online materials / textbook at home.
1-2 Hours lecture by a 2-3 hour lab twice per week. (3-1/2
hours per sessions but many students stay for 4 hours).
Review the material for the unit
Take a chapter exam online to Cisco. - there is a several day
window for these - generally one week.
If you do not pass the exam then you get a second chance :-)
Start the next unit.
The largest issue is that there are many topics to cover and it is easy
to get behind if you are not disciplined. The good news is that the
total time span is finite and you will feel major a sense of
accomplishment.
The Saturday program (when available) combines the two 3-1/2 hour sessions for the week
into a single 8 hour session for CCNA 1 & 2. This still means two
units per week but the lecture and lab take place on a single day.
The evening program mirrors the daytime program
As an instructor, I need to retrain periodically and I spend about
10-12 hours per module when I do. (And I am supposed to already know
something LOL).
Now that you are questioning your choices, please realize that YOU CAN DO IT!
The work is steady but manageable, and the rewards (both in knowledge
and ultimately) are great. At the end of the process you can be one of
an elite pool of specialists in high technology. So many of my younger
students comment after two years about how much they have grown and
discovered about themselves.
Another question I have is regarding the certification. What
would this program qualify me for as far as that goes?
It will help to prepare you for several industry
certifications. These include A plus, Network plus, CISCO CCNA, CCNP and several others.
CCNP is, of course, the most highly respected certification and requires the most dedication.
Easy: A Plus, Network
Plus - might get you the first
interview
Medium: Linux
plus and Security plus (not a full prep - just basics here), Microsoft
MCE
(several versions) - might get you the second interview, might get you
the job.
Difficult: Cisco CCNA,
Microsoft MCSE - will usually get you
interviews, will get you many jobs. Microsoft is more in demand because
of a large number of machines but there are many applicants. Cisco is
more exclusive - fewer trained people = better opportunities.
Very Difficult: Cisco
CCNP - will almost assuredly
get you a very good job. High 5 to low 6 figures to start. Best with
CCNA
and MCSE.
And what would be your suggestions as far as what would be
best
to get certified in if you have to choose?
As many as possible. A plus first to see how the process works,
then CCNA at a minimum.
I'm also concerned about the job market. Is there a demand
for network administrators?
Just look on the web at the headhunter sites. Answer this one
for yourself.
If you are actually asking "Can I work in central Ulster County
for six
figures?"
- most of those positions are already filled by our graduates.
Can you give me an idea about pass rate for Certification Exams among Ulster graduates?
We conducted an informal survey of graduates during the Fall of 2016
Sat for Certification Exams .............. 92%
Passed on first try ............................. 87%
Retook a failed certificaton(s)............58%
Passed failed exam on second try.......86%
Employed in the Industry ..................92%
One additional is seeking advanced degrees
What other options would be available
to you if there isn't a demand for this degree?
Computer
Science, natural science, engineering, scuba diving, nursing, basket
weaving,
etc. Just read the Ulster catalog or check out the web site. You can
also
contact our admissions office. I coordinate the networking program. You
might
ask yourself why I would do that if there was no demand for this
knowledge?
Would I need a bachelor's (degree) to get employed or would
this be sufficient enough?
Not with CCNA and CCNP. One of our graduates was hired right out
of our program
with a CCNP and an associates for $101k. The salary is not typical.
Bachelor's
helps but is just an adjunct with networking. Bachelor's or above is
pretty much mandatory for Computer Science.
Exactly where would one look to get hired?
This answer is a secret. It is only available to graduates of the
program. If we tell you now then ...
However see the above. Read the papers and phone book. Ask
yourself, "Which
of these places would need a network engineer?", "Which of these places
might have an in-house network?", and similar questions.
I am interested in attaining my CCNP certification. I currently hold a valid CCNA,
and have not taken any of the NP tests. Is this a possibility?
If {you are not seeking a degree} then {if you have an operating systems class AND a hardware class}
then you could take only the CCNP classes here at Ulster.
Our classes give you the material that you need to pass the CCNP exams. Passing is up to you.
Unfortunately, we do not currently offer the exams on campus.
Are distance courses offered for this?
The classes are classroom only. No distance learning. Actual hand-on experience with hardware is essential in the field.
Since most students do not have an off-site lab available, we do not offer online classes at this time.
I took all of these classes in BOCES. Why do I need to take them again?
You're not going to like this answer. BOCES classes are a wonderful introduction to networking.
The problem is that they fall far short of the rigor of what is taught at the College level.
Alternate learning environments also tend to make heavy use of simulators rather than hands-on training on actual hardware.
At Ulster, we do the opposite. Nearly all labs are required to be completed on hardware (supplied, of course) with simulators used as adjuncts
and teaching tools.
Invariably, our students who have studied networking previously, have commented that they really learned it here. All have said to maintain
the rigor and hands-on exercises.
Registration Questions
I would like to know when is a good appointment time for the xxxx semester schedule.
The advisement schedule is posted outside of my office door.
Pick a slot: The ones shown there are the only ones available.
Please come prepared with a program planning sheet, your transcript, and a plan.
The section that I want is full. Can you get me in?
(I hear this question
often. Generally from late registrants) No. The section is full. The
harsh reality is that resources are limited and the maximum class size
is there for good reasons. The entire class will suffer if we overload
it. We know this from painful experience.
Luckily, there
is often a simple solution. Register for the other
section.
Why should I register early instead of the last minute?
Registering early helps
you get into the most convenient section for you. Sometimes all
sections fill up and you won't be able to take the class until a later
semester or even for a year. Early registration also helps the
college to plan how many sections to offer.
