Computer Science / Computer Information Systems
Computer science will help you find rewarding jobs in the Information Technology (IT) field. Highline offers a mix of short certificates, 2-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees, Associate of Arts (AA) degrees, and Associate of Science (AA) degrees that prepare students to transfer to computer science bachelor’s degree programs at 4-year schools like the University of Washington. Most transfer students plan to earn this degree. The associate degree can be general in its emphasis, providing a broad educational background for students who wish to transfer to a university.
The Network Security Engineer and Web Development are great pathways into the BAS Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics degree.
Bachelors Degree
Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics provides students with the breadth and depth of knowledge in cybersecurity and reinforces the skills with hands-on labs. U.S. Bureau of Labor projects 31% growth in employment in the cybersecurity field between 2019 to 2029.
PDF Program Map
- Secure the commonly used operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Apple at the small office/home office (SOHO) level to the enterprise level.
- Securely install, configure, program and maintain routers, switches and hubs for the SOHO to enterprise level operation.
- Evaluate, plan and implement cloud security for the variation of cloud environments including public, private and hybrid.
- Evaluate, implement and maintain mobile security for SOHO to enterprise level operation.
- Securely install and maintain the popular database products – such as MySQL, MS SQL Server and Oracle – while being able to evaluate the appropriate operating system for the situation, perform security audits, and apply the knowledge to new technology such as big data installations and analytics.
- Design, install and maintain a secure database using one or more of the popular database products on various operating systems to industry standards.
- Evaluate, implement and use big data architectures such as Cloudera, Hortonworks, or Map-R to utilize Hadoop Distributed File Systems.
- Able to effectively perform the tasks related to penetration testing on various platforms, applications and network designs including pre-evaluation, setting of parameters, evaluate/report results, and give recommendations on remediation of findings.
- Plan, conduct and report on the digital analysis of networks, cloud deployments, desktop and mobile devices using proper forensics techniques and determining the appropriate legal parameters that should be adhered to.
- Design and conduct an e-discovery investigation, while applying the appropriate legalities such as litigation holds, HIPAA standards, etc.
- Apply knowledge of professional ethics when dealing with sensitive and confidential information or when making a decision on what path or methodology to use.
Career
A degree in Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity and Forensics enhances opportunities for employment and promotion in a variety of information technology-related positions, such as cybersecurity engineer, cybersecurity analyst, cybersecurity administrator, cybersecurity consultant, network engineer, computer forensic specialist, incident response, penetration tester and software engineer.
Department/Program URL:
https://cis.highline.edu/programs/bas-cybersecurity/
GPA Requirement:
A minimum 2.5 cumulative college-level GPA
Number of Credits:
180
Degree or Certificate Learning Outcomes:
Top Transfer-To institutions
- University of Washington Tacoma
- Central Washington University
- Seattle Pacific University
- Seattle University
Important Dates or Milestones Specific to Degree/Certificate
N/A
Key Advisors
Associate Degrees
Highline graduates have many options for transferring to a four-year college or university: public and private, in-state and out-of-state. There are many bachelor’s degree programs not only in computer science, but also in Information Technology, Informatics, and Computer Engineering.
The degree you pursue at Highline depends on where you want to transfer and the degree you wish to pursue. For most in-state four-year computer science programs, the Associate of Science (AS) degree is the best option. For the UW (Seattle campus) and some private schools, the AS degree may be the preferred degree choice. The first step in the transfer process is to explore your options and decide on the right choice for you. It’s always a good idea to plan on applying to more than one college or university.
In order to plan this degree program, it is essential to know both the major and college or university you plan to attend. In order to prepare for transfer, we want you to work closely with your advisor.
Career
Software Developer, Computer Science, Software Engineer, Programmer
Department/Program URL:
https://cis.highline.edu/programs
GPA Requirement:
Minimum 2.0
Number of Credits:
90
Degree or Certificate Learning Outcomes:
- Communicate effectively, both in speech and writing, within the technical field.
- Manage a project from start to finish, both individually and in teams.
- Analyze and deconstruct a problem to identify potential solutions.
- Use technology (such as search engines, blogs, discussions boards, computer programs or various network/Internet resources) to identify resources to help solve a problem.
- Think critically and utilize qualitative and quantitative reasoning skills to design and implement an effective problem solution.
- Perform complex computations using quantitative and scientific algorithms and methods.
- Apply algorithmic and symbolic thinking to the problem-solving process.
Top Transfer-To institutions
- University of Washington – Seattle
- University of Washington – Tacoma
- University of Washington – Bothell
Important Dates or Milestones Specific to Degree/Certificate
Start in fall.
Key Advisors
Transfer admission is competitive. While completion of an associate degree in arts or science provides students with many advantages in the transfer process. This degree is a specialized transfer degree, individually designed to meet the requirements for Computer Science majors at specific colleges and universities.
PDF Program Map
Career
Courses in this program parallel the first two years of a university program, and credits earned in these courses generally transfer to four-year colleges throughout the United States. Study in this program leads to an Associate of Arts (AA) Emphasis in Computer Science degree.
Department/Program URL:
https://cis.highline.edu/programs
GPA Requirement:
A minimum 2.0 cumulative college-level GPA; Completion of at least 23 of the total required credits at Highline with a minimum 2.0 GPA (known as the residency credit requirement).
Number of Credits:
Completion of a minimum of 90 college-level credits (courses numbered 100 or above)
Degree or Certificate Learning Outcomes:
After successfully completing the Written Communication/Communication Studies requirement, students wil
- Communicate effectively, both in speech and writing, within the technical field.
- Manage a project from start to finish, both individually and in teams.
- Analyze and deconstruct a problem to identify potential solutions.
- Use technology (such as search engines, blogs, discussions boards, computer programs or various network/Internet resources) to identify resources to help solve a problem.
- Effectively communicate orally and in writing to and with diverse audiences in public and human communication contexts.
- Articulate the political, social, legal, global or systemic issues that manifest or contribute to discrimination and marginalization of individuals or groups.
- Explain different cultural perspectives on a topic.
- Critically analyze human diversity through the lens of the academic discipline in a Diversity and Globalism studies class.
- Identify and assess factors that influence personal and community health and wellness while employing lifestyle choices to enhance life-long well-being and quality of life.
- Draw logical conclusions using symbolic or quantitative methods. This includes comprehending, analyzing, representing, calculating, and communicating information presented using numbers, words, graphs, and/or symbols.
- Analyze and interpret evidence using social science framework.
- Explain the relationships between social structures and human behavior.
- Analyze and/or produce forms of creative expression, applying critical thinking and exhibiting cultural competence.
- Use scientific, analytic, or logical methods, modes of inquiry, and terminology to demonstrate knowledge, comprehension, and application of science concepts and insights.
- Collect and analyze data quantitatively using appropriate tools within a discipline specific setting (i.e., lab or field).
Top Transfer-To institutions
- University of Washington – Seattle
- University of Washington – Tacoma
- Central Washington University
Important Dates or Milestones Specific to Degree/Certificate
Start in fall.
Key Advisors
A network security engineer protects systems from cyber threats, including bugs, malware, and hacking attempts. … Testing and configuration of hardware and software systems. If you are compelled, then the AAS in Network Security Engineer (NSE) program might be the job for you. In roles such as network administrator and network specialist, graduates maintain network hardware and software. Network specialists analyze, design, install, test, and support systems such as local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), Internet, intranet, wireless and other data communications systems. They provide day-to-day on-site administrative support for network users in a variety of work environments. Network administrators also may plan, analyze, coordinate, implement and communicate network security measures.
Career
Career as a Network Security Engineer (NSE)
Maintain network hardware and software.
Network specialists analyze, design, install, test, and support systems such as local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), Internet, intranet, wireless and other data communications systems.
Provide day-to-day on-site administrative support for network users in a variety of work environments.
Bachelor’s and Master’s in NSE, Cybersecurity / Forensic and other CIS programs
Department/Program URL:
https://cis.highline.edu/programs/professional-technical/network-security-engineer/
GPA Requirement:
Cumulative GPA 2.0
Number of Credits:
AAS Degree – Network Security Engineer – 92 Credits
Degree or Certificate Learning Outcomes:
- Build and configure a computer using essential components, peripherals and various operating systems.
- Implement a LAN with Microsoft and/or Linux servers and workstations adding management of users, e-mail, Websites and network resources.
- Demonstrate proficient knowledge of computer commands for Windows/Linux operating systems.
- Design and correctly address an enterprise network with built-in redundancy devices.
- Implement a virtual environment for networking within a computer or server.
- Secure access and protect the data in a network server.
- Manage a complex project from start to finish, both individually and in teams.
- Analyze project requirements and gather information necessary to thoroughly understand project scope and specifications.
- Effectively use technology to identify resources to solve networking issues, troubleshoot problems and remain current in the technology field.
- Communicate effectively with both technical and nontechnical stakeholders, both in speech and written documents.
Top Transfer-To institutions
- HC
- UW
- UWT
- UWB
- PLU
- CWU
Important Dates or Milestones Specific to Degree/Certificate
Key Advisors
This program will equip students to be exposed to creating good quality content and utilizing effective online marketing strategies – SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and social media. In order to carry out these tasks students should be knowledgeable in numerous technical aspects of web development, coupled with good content creation skills and business principles.
Department/Program URL:
https://cis.highline.edu/programs
GPA Requirement:
Minimum 2.0
Degree or Certificate Learning Outcomes:
- Understand and be able to build and maintain websites based.
- Able to utilize and optimize content.
- Be able to utilize multiple tools.
- Demonstrate marketing skills.
- Identify data via website analytics/statistical analysis & present.
- Problem-solving and diagnosis of methods needed for SEO
This program will equip students to be exposed to creating good quality content needed by technical staff as well as end users. Numerous job areas include technical documentation, specifications writing, user documentation, marketing and sales literature, learning and training materials, and technical editors. In order to carry out these tasks students should be knowledgeable in numerous aspects of information technology technical tools coupled with communication and writing skills. Jobs with these skill sets will fall under Technical Author and Technical Writer.
Department/Program URL:
https://cis.highline.edu/programs
GPA Requirement:
Minimum 2.0
Students participate in a capstone project for a small business in the community, complete an internship, and attend Emerging Technologies seminars.
Highline offers a two-year AAS degree in web development and data science, as well as a number of short certificates. Most classes are available online and hybrid.
PDF Program Map
Career
Web Developer, Web Designer, BAS, BAS ITAM at CWU
Department/Program URL:
https://cis.highline.edu/programs/professional-technical/web-database-developer/
GPA Requirement:
Minimum 2.0
Number of Credits:
93
Degree or Certificate Learning Outcomes:
- Analyze project requirements and gather information necessary to thoroughly understand project scope and specifications.
- Communicate effectively with both technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
- Determine and apply appropriate technologies and tools to problems.
- Design, build and maintain a scalable and minimally redundant database.
- Design, develop and maintain a aesthetically pleasing and functional websites.
- Create, edit, and maintain code in various technologies & languages.
- Document all work accurately and thoroughly.
Top Transfer-To institutions
- CWU
- Highline College BAS in Cybersecurity
- Green River BAS in Software development
Important Dates or Milestones Specific to Degree/Certificate
N/A