CURRICULUM PROPOSAL FORM #1
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-WHITEWATER
NEW DEGREE, MAJOR, OR SUBMAJOR
| Degree/Program Title: |
Certificate in Web Site Development and Administration |
| |
|
| Sponsor(s): |
Bennette Harris |
| Department(s): |
Mathematical and Computer Sciences |
| College(s): |
Letters and Sciences |
| |
|
| Effective Term: |
Fall, 2001 |
Check if:
| |
New Degree: Intent to
Plan |
| |
New Degree: Final Proposal |
| |
New Major: Intent to
Plan |
| |
New Major: Final Proposal |
|
X
|
New Submajor: (check
one of the following) |
| |
Minor |
| |
Emphasis/Track |
|
X
|
Certificate Program |
| |
Module: Intent to Plan |
| |
Module: Final Proposal |
| |
Other |
-
Exact description of request
The request is to create a new certificate program within the Department
of Mathematical and Computer Sciences in Web Site Development and Administration.
This request is accompanied by a companion request to create a Minor in
Web Site Development and Administration, and by proposals for the new courses
that are part of both the minor and certificate programs.
-
Bulletin Description of Program
(Placed following the descriptions of the Computer Science minors)
WEB SITE DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
Web site development and administration is perhaps one of the fastest
growing areas in the modern information and technology-driven world. Typical
programs of study tend to focus on either document design or web server
technologies and systems. The minor and certificate programs offered by
the Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences is designed to bridge
the gap smoothly between these two extremes. By combining skills in the
latest document design systems and paradigms with a deep understanding
of the background technologies that drive document delivery and processing,
students of these programs will be well equipped to enter into this exciting
field.
-
Course List
The certificate program consists of the following courses:
110-222 (being developed by the Art Department for
this course)
765-281 HTML and Web Page Development
Introduces the key concepts of web document development, and covers
the major design technologies (such as FrontPage and Dreamweaver).
765-282 Media on the Web
Introduces the use and creation of a variety of media used within web
sites, such as static and animated images, video, and sound.
765-381 Javascript and DHTML
Covers technologies associated with client-side creation of dynamic
web documents.
765-382 Perl and CGI Scripting
Covers technologies associated with server-side creation of dynamic
web documents.
765-481 Web Servers and Unix Administration
Provides hands-on experience in administering and maintaining a Unix-based
web server, such as Apache on Linux. Includes a study of site and document
security.
765-482 Web Database Development
Covers key concepts of database design and administration, and the
use of databases as part of a web site design. Includes both dynamic document
generation and e-commerce.
-
APR Program Requirements
CERTIFICATE
WEB SITE DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
CERTIFICATE - 15 CREDITS
-
ART 110-222
-
CPSC 765-281 or BE/CNA 220-357
-
CPSC 765-381 and CPSC 765-382
-
CPSC 765-481 or CPSC 765-482
Elective: CPSC 765-282
-
4-Year Plan of Course Offerings
The courses will be offered initially on the one-year schedule
listed below. This schedule allows for the completion of the certificate
within a rapid time frame, while at the same time allowing students enrolled
in the companion minor program to complete their studies at a steady pace.
Fall Spring
765-171 765-171
765-372 765-372
765-281 765-282
765-381 765-481
765-382 765-482
A typical certificate plan might be as follows: semester 1 - 281; semester
2 - 282, 381; semester 3 – 382, 481 or 482. A student with prior web document
design experience could complete the program within two semesters by replacing
281 (waived) with the remainder of 481 or 482.
-
Assessment Plan: Assessment for this program will be integrated into
the Department’s existing assessment procedures.
-
Relationship to mission and strategic plan of institution, and/or College/Department
goals and objectives
There is virtually no job that remains untouched by the Internet. While
modern web page development tools such as FrontPage and Dreamweaver make
web page creation easier, web site development is a much more complex
and technically challenging matter, one for which few businesses are prepared.
Modern students of computer science are expected to be able to address
these technical challenges. This new certificate program will offer a path
for achieving the critical skills required in a rapid fashion. Separated
from the minor, the certificate provides a mechanism for industry professionals
to demonstrate the necessary competence apart from a traditional degree,
or as part of their post-graduate studies. This role is a vital function
of the Mathematical and Computer Sciences Department and the College of
Letters and Sciences.
As part of the UW-Whitewater Strategic Plan, Priority 2 calls for the
University to "deliver state of the art programs and services"; Goal 2.1
calls for "academic programs that are intellectually challenging, current,
and dynamic." The certificate program supports this priority and goal by
offering in-depth study in a technology that is changing the nature of
information delivery systems the world over. It also provides a framework
within which future technology changes can be addressed as this field continues
to evolve.
UW-Whitewater Strategic Plan, Priority 5 calls for the University to
"serve as a vital resource, particularly to the region"; Goal 5.2 calls
for "a substantive contribution to the economic development of the region
and the quality of life of its citizens." The certificate program supports
this priority and goal by providing graduates with the skills to allow
their employers to compete in the modern marketplace. The Internet and
web are driving a new global perspective to business strategies of all
kinds, and the rapid flow of information over the Internet changes the
very nature of the way in which business is conducted. Graduates with this
certificate will provide vital skills in allowing Wisconsin and area businesses
and industry to lead in these changes.
Some overlap exists between this program and the existing MCS, Computer
End-User Technologies and Art-Graphic Design programs.
-
MCS graduates are trained in the areas of programming, systems analysis/design
and network management/administration with a strong background in business.
Typical entry level positions include programmer, programmer/analyst, network
engineer, network management/administration and PC support specialist.
While the certificate program does include computer programming (and utilizes
courses which are also required of MCS majors), the focus is on the delivery,
processing, and administration of web content, not on business systems.
-
The Computer End-User Technologies major/minor focus primarily on the use
of existing applications. Web page document design falls within this realm.
The proposed certificate program, because of its programming content, connects
document design with the background document delivery and processing technologies.
The program also provides skills in application development, allowing its
graduates, for example, to create new Java or Javascript components for
web sites. It is precisely these skills that most web designers lack.
-
Graduates of the Graphic Design program are trained in the capture and
creation of images and other media appropriate for incorporation within
a web site. The proposed certificate program recognizes the need for graphic
design as part of the training required for a student in web site development
and administration. The proposed program, however, covers aspects of document
structure, content delivery, computer programming and document processing
that are not part of the Graphic Design program.
A business with a need for a significant Internet presence might require
graduates from all four of these areas in order to meet their needs: MCS
graduates to develop and maintain their internal data systems, End-User
graduates to train and support the business personnel in application use,
Graphic Design graduates to develop a variety of media products, and graduates
with a certificate in Web Site Development and Administration to create,
maintain, and administer all the aspects of the company’s web site and
its connections to the company’s other existing systems.
-
Need/Demand for the Program
There is a growing trend among institutions worldwide to offer course work
and certification programs in web site development. Because of a lack of
standards in this area, the program offerings are quite diverse. Virtually
all, however, focus on document design issues such as page layout
and graphical content. Missing from such programs is the technical expertise
to address issues of site administration, database connectivity, e-commerce,
and server and site security. With many sites now being hosted on virtual
servers, issues of server organization also need to be addressed. Many
of these issues are tied to skills in computer programming and operating
systems that fit naturally within the framework of a computer science certificate
program.
Southeast Wisconsin is experiencing a dramatic increase in Internet
use among businesses; this has created an increase in demand for employees
knowledgeable about web site design and skilled in managing web projects
from both the client and server perspectives. The Department has received
over 100 inquiries in the last few months about the availability of a degree
program or certificate in this area of study.
Learning Objectives
After completing this program, students will be able to:
-
Demonstrate competency in programming languages commonly used in developing
and servicing Internet web sites, both client-side and server-side
-
Develop applications capable of functioning over a distributed network
-
Demonstrate the significance of the client-server model to web page development
-
Demonstrate proficiency in developing complex web sites incorporating database
driven technologies
-
Demonstrate proficiency in locating, creating, designing, editing and implementing
effective graphics and other media content in web pages
-
Demonstrate and understanding of the limitations of bandwidth and the need
for compression technologies
-
Select and use appropriate tools and resources for maintaining and administering
an Internet web server
-
Demonstrate an awareness of the security implications for both the client
and server in web communications, and employ appropriate security strategies
-
Identify and evaluate current industry trends
-
Cost implications
The Mathematical and Computer Sciences Department currently has faculty
able to teach the proposed courses for the new certificate program. The
Department also has been allocated an additional position by the College
of Letters and Sciences and is conducting a search for a person to augment
the skills already present within the Department. With the additional staff,
and with the computer facilities already available, no additional resources
should be required initially.