Western Governors University Courses

Information Technology Foundations

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Information technology (IT) can be viewed as a system, a combination of independent parts all working together to accomplish a certain goal. Systems are everywhere. For example, the respiratory, circulatory, nervous, and other subsystems of the body work together towards the common goal of keeping humans alive. IT is similar in that it consists of various subsystems all working towards a common goal. Information Technology Foundations will examine how the system called IT helps an organization advance its business goals and vision, resulting in improved growth, profits, and productivity.The course will explore the different components of IT and how they work together as a system to support the different aspects of an organization. Specifically, the course will explore different categories of software such as operating systems, programming, and databases. The hardware components that will be examined are the structure of computers and their peripherals. The role of people will be an important focus of the course, describing which roles are necessary for the IT system to function efficiently and effectively. This focus includes the various administrative roles, the methodologies used by people tasked with developing new systems, and the ethical issues that must be considered by individuals involved with IT. In IT, as with many other systems, the independent parts must be integrated together to reach the common goal. This integration is accomplished by networking, which encompasses the core components of hardware, software, and users. IT supports and improves many aspects of an organization, including communication (both internal and external), resource sharing, cross-department integration, information management, security of organization and employee information, and organization adherence to ethical practices.

Network and Security Foundations

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As computer systems become smaller, cheaper, and more readily accessible, it seems everyone is connected at the touch of a button. Organizations struggle to remain efficient as they manage growing numbers of single-user computer systems. These systems require interconnectivity to exchange data, share resources, and access more powerful computers for tasks too complicated for local computers to process.All of these activities require computing devices to access multiple networks. This course introduces networks such as the local area network (LAN), the enterprise network, the campus area network (CAN), the metropolitan area network (MAN), metro Ethernet, the personal area network (PAN), the virtual private network (VPN), and the wide area network (WAN).The course discusses the essentials for implementing modern computer networks. Each lesson goes through the various networking technologies. The course introduces the concepts and practices associated with network security vulnerabilities, threats, risk mitigation, and the policies and procedures associated with security management.

Introduction to Information Technology

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It is forecasted that the need for IT professionals will continue to rapidly grow as technology continues to evolve at such incredible rates. IT jobs are in high demand particularly within non-tech sectors such as professional services, manufacturing, and financial services industries among others, and IT roles in these sectors are more accessible making them high potential career path entry-points. Advance your information technology (IT) skill set by completing Western Governors University’s (WGU) MicroBachelors Introduction to Information Technology program certificate. Designed for IT practitioners, educators, and business professionals, this program introduces IT infrastructure concepts and services to support the operation and management of an enterprise environment. Throughout the MicroBachelors program certificate, you will engage in real-world career development opportunities to enhance your understanding of IT as a discipline. You will learn about the many roles and functions of the IT department, fundamentals of networking and security concepts, and programming elements such as variables, data types, flow control, and design concepts. Earning this MicroBachelors program certificate will equip you with knowledge of highly relevant tools and techniques to prepare you for a variety of career options and opportunities in the field of IT. Then, build on this program certificate and continue your professional development by applying to one of many undergraduate degree programs in IT from Western Governor's University.CoachingIf you are enrolled in the verified track (paid track) in any course that is a part of a MicroBachelors program, including this course, you are eligible for coaching at no additional cost. Please note that coaching is only available via SMS to U.S. phone lines.Our coaches (real humans) are ready to help you with career exploration, navigating resources, staying motivated, and solving problems along the way to your goals.Learn more about the value of coaching directly from one of our coaches, Erin.