Academy of Information Technology

AOIT Courses

Principles of Information Technology (POIT)

• AOIT PRINCIPLES OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
  1 Unit 40 weeks (5816) Grades 9-12
  Principles of Information Technology provides students with an overview of information technology and introduces students to the basics of hardware and software. Using a hands-on orientation, students explore the most common types of operating systems, software applications, and programming languages. Students learn about the different types of networks and network topology, and set up an email client/server connection. During the course, students consider contemporary IT issues such as security and privacy, the effects of IT on society, and on the individual, and technological inequality. Finally, students get a chance to discover the types of careers that exist in IT today.  Upon completion of the course, students will be well versed in the basics of all aspects of IT, and will understand how computers are designed and assembled to help users achieve their desired goals.
  
  This course is a requirement of the AOIT Program, however, students do not need to be enrolled in the full AOIT program to take this course. 

Introduction to Computer Programming

• INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
• 1 Unit 40 weeks (5818) 
  This hands-on, project-based course introduces students to basic programming concepts and takes a look at the inner workings of a computer. The course begins to answer the question: “How does my computer do that?”  The focus is on the elements of programming that are common to all programming languages, so that other languages can be learned quickly. There is also an emphasis on gaming and app development.  This course has recently addressed Python, Java, and HTML/CSS with the course content changing annually to remain current with programming trends.  Students hone the important skills of problem solving, thinking logically, looking at the big picture, and paying attention to detail. This course also lays a strong foundation for Advanced Placement Computer Science.  
   
  Students do not need to be enrolled in AOIT to take this course, although the course satisfies one credit of the AOIT program.  This course is available for three college credits, to students in grades 10 - 12, through SUNY Farmingdale (BCS 101) at a tuition cost of approximately $140. 
  

Introduction to Cybersecurity

• AOIT INTRODUCTION TO CYBERSECURITY
  1 Unit 40 weeks (5819)         
  The dramatic development of technology, particularly the Internet, has made people and businesses extensively use electronic format for communication and information storage. A large percent of all corporate and individual communication is now created electronically leaving only a small amount on paper. Students will be introduced to the mechanisms and the history of software, hardware, and OS security.  Students will dissect important and emerging issues including privilege sniffing, password security, disaster recovery, and digital forensics. Several hands-on investigations per unit will afford students the opportunity to assess network vulnerability, identify threats, prevent and respond to attacks, and more.  Digital Forensics is the technique of computer investigation and analysis in the interest of determining potential legal evidence. In other words, it is finding the electronic fingerprints. 
  
  This course is available for three college credits, to students in grades 10 - 12, through SUNY Farmingdale.  Tuition is approximately $140. 
   
  This course may be used to fulfill one credit towards an AOIT certificate.  Students do not need to be enrolled in the full AOIT program to take this course.

DIGITAL NETWORKS – CISCO Discovery I & II

• DIGITAL NETWORKS – CISCO Discovery I & II
  1 Unit 40 weeks (5821)  Grades 10-12   
  This course presents basic networking education to equip students with knowledge and skills that can be applied toward entry-level ICT careers and also CCENT and CCNA certifications. CCNA Discovery is a blended curriculum with both online and classroom learning.
  
  CCNA Discovery has the following features:
  
  Designed for students with basic PC usage skills
  Offers a hands-on, career-oriented approach to  learning networking that emphasizes practical  experience
  Maps directly to everyday experiences with networks and covers key networking concepts according to the types of practical network environments students may encounter; ranging from small office or home office (SOHO) networking to more complex enterprise environments and theoretical networking models later in the curriculum
  Includes activities that emphasize networking implementation
  Encourages students to consider additional education in IT or related fields, and help students prepare for entry-level IT careers
  
  This course is available for three college credits through SUNY Farmingdale. Tuition is approximately $140. 
  
  This course may be used to fulfill one credit towards an AOIT certificate.  Students do not need to be enrolled in the full AOIT program to take this course.

AP Computer Science

• AP COMPUTER SCIENCE A
  1 Unit 40 weeks (3710)                              NCAA Approved
  The Advanced Placement (AP) course in Computer Science will cover topics which would normally be found in a college-level program for computer science majors or for students who will major in other disciplines that require involvement with computers.  The current programming language is JAVA, an object-orientated programming language. The skills learned in Introduction to Computer Programming are reviewed and refined in this course. Topics taught include programming methodology, features of programming languages, data types and structures, algorithms, applications, iteration, recursion and the social implications of computer science. A practical context for the course is given through the use of College Board prescribed lab assignments.  All students are required to take the AP Exam in May at a cost of approximately $95 plus College Board Administrative Fees. 
   
  This course satisfies one credit for the AOIT program. 
   
  Prerequisite:  AOIT Introduction to Computer Programming.
  

Web Architecture & Development:

• PROJECT ADVANCE WEB ARCHITECTURE & DEVELOPMENT:  A Coding Experience 
  1 Unit 40 weeks (7406) Grades 11-12
  Offered in conjunction with Syracuse University's Project Advance (SUPA IST 263), this course combines entrepreneurial methods with real world projects covering the construction and publication of multimedia for the web.  The course will incorporate a user-based approach to planning, design, implementation, and management in distributed network environments. Students will become proficient in HTML, CSS, PHP, and Javascript as front-end web developers to code a website and web app designs.  Creating a basic webpage using HTML, styling all pages for consistency using CSS, and building interactivity into webpages using PHP and Javascript are the focal points for this course.  Webpage creation practices, proper documentation, and user feasibility will be addressed.  Following the course, students should have the ability and confidence to design and program a website for a small-to-medium sized business or organization.
  
  Prerequisite: Introduction to Computer Programming, Web Page Design, or instructor approval. 
  
  This course satisfies one credit for the AOIT program.  Three college credits are available for a nominal tuition to Syracuse University (approximately $115.00 per credit). 

• WEB PAGE DESIGN 
  1 Unit 40 weeks (5825)
  This full year course is open to all students and presents basic and advanced topics in Web page design. Students will learn the basics of good web design by working with industry standard Web design software such as Macromedia Flash and Dreamweaver. A large portion of the school year will be dedicated to creating fully interactive websites using Flash. Students will work alone and in teams to design and maintain web sites. 
  
  Prerequisite for non-AOIT students: Fulfillment of the art/music graduation requirement in Studio in Art, Studio in Crafts, or Studio in Media is recommended, but not required.
  
  This course fulfills one junior year credit for the AOIT program. 

• VIDEO / DIGITAL FILM I
  1 Unit 40 weeks (6306)
  This introductory course is designed for students to acquire a basic understanding of the video medium. The course will focus on three major components. The first component will concentrate on the three phases of video pre-production, production and post-production. Topics that will be covered include film/television genres, how to develop an idea on paper and how to translate that idea to video. The second component involves the technical aspects of video production. Students will examine basic shot set-up techniques as well as be provided with the necessary knowledge to operate equipment so that they may produce (pre-production), create (production) and edit (post-production) their own videos. Students will be expected to work inside and outside of the classroom. Some components of this course will require individual effort while others require work as part of a production team. The third component introduces the history of film and television. Students examine and critique the technical advancements in the film and video mediums over time.
  
  This course fulfills one senior year credit for the AOIT program. 

AOIT Internship:

•  AOIT Internship
  ½ Unit (7911) Summer Junior-Senior Year  
  The AOIT students bridge the gap between the classroom and the work force through a first-hand internship experience in the IT world.  Students will prepare resumes and be interviewed for positions by local internship providers.  These internships connect students to the real world and establish important relationships between students and professionals in the IT industry.  Each student is required to maintain a portfolio throughout their 120-hour commitment and must complete a PowerPoint presentation highlighting their experiences.  This presentation will be shared at the AOIT Employer Recognition Trade Show held in the fall of their senior year. 
  
  This course is only open to students enrolled in the AOIT Program.