Computer Studies & Information Technology
29 courses · MiraCosta College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
CSIT 101 Introduction to Computers
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is intended for students wishing to develop or strengthen their basic computer skills. Topics include basic computer techniques and literacy in computer concepts, Windows, working with files and folders, word processing, spreadsheets, browsing and searching the web, safe and ethical computer and Internet practices, email, computer maintenance, security, purchasing a computer, and academic online course management systems, such as Canvas.
CSIT 110 Computer Applications
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 101
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with credit limitation)
This course provides an in-depth, hands-on introduction to computer applications and fundamentals. Topics include computer concepts, the operating system, and word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database, and Web browser applications. The course emphasizes applied computer applications skills and techniques, computer concepts and ethical considerations, and the use of computer applications as integrated tools to perform professional-level analyses. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for CSIT 110 or CSIT 120.
CSIT 120 Fundamentals of Computer Information Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 110
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with credit limitation)
- C-ID
- ITIS-120, BUS-140
This course covers the concepts of information systems in business, including the integration of information systems, organizational strategy, systems analysis, data storage, data processing, security, cloud computing, and communications. The course applies information system concepts by developing solutions to business problems using financial analysis and database management tools, such as Microsoft Excel and Access. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for CSIT 110 or CSIT 120. C-ID ITIS-120 and BUS-140.
CSIT 123 Introduction to Data Analytics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Prerequisite
- Knowledge, skills, and abilities at the intermediate algebra level as determined by the math placement process
- Advisory
- CSIT 110, CSIT 120, or CSIT 128
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces students to data science through the operational lens of AI-driven data analytics tools, AI programming languages, and advanced statistical modeling techniques. It focuses on the nexus of the data science field and advanced AI-driven data analysis. The data-first mindset promotes knowledge and understanding through the use of advanced visualization tools, statistical tools, and statistical programming languages to derive actionable information from various data sources to solve complex business, information systems, and analysis challenges. Students access and evaluate complex data sets using data inference techniques formulated through the use of qualitative analysis and statistical applications. The course emphasizes visual analysis tools, such as the use of graphs, charts, and computerized spreadsheets. Students gain an understanding of the widespread use of data analytics and how this sophisticated technique that combines mathematical principles and technology affects their everyday lives.
CSIT 125 Microsoft Word for Business
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 101
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students learn how to use Microsoft Word, the industry-standard tool for word processing in business environments. This comprehensive course includes fundamentals, such as document design, section breaks, table of contents, graphics, columns, citations, and tables, as well as more advanced features, such as document collaboration, workgroup tools, template customization, mail merge, macros, object linking, forms, security, and Web enabling. This course helps prepare students for the Microsoft Certification Exam.
CSIT 128 Microsoft Excel for Business
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 101
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students learn how to use Microsoft Excel, the industry standard tool for spreadsheet and chart creation in a business environment. This comprehensive course includes fundamentals, such as workbook and worksheet design, formulas, functions, and charts, as well as more advanced features, such as pivot tables, what-if analysis, three-dimensional worksheets, goal seek, and collaboration tools. This course helps prepare students for the Microsoft Certification Exam.
CSIT 131 Microsoft Access for Business
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 101
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students learn how to use Microsoft Access, the industry standard tool for database creation in a business environment. This comprehensive course includes fundamentals, such as relational database design theory, tables, queries, reports, and forms, as well as more advanced features, such as complex validation rules, action queries, report controls, form automation, database customization, and data integration tools. This course helps prepare students for the Microsoft Certification Exam.
CSIT 134 Microsoft PowerPoint for Business
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 101
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students learn how to use Microsoft PowerPoint, the industry standard tool for creating electronic presentations in business environments. This comprehensive course includes fundamentals, such as electronic presentation design and delivery concepts, slide layout, graphics, diagrams, charts, and sound, as well as more advanced features, such as complex animation, transitions, action buttons, video, custom backgrounds, and collaboration tools. This course helps prepare students for the Microsoft Certification Exam.
CSIT 137 Google Apps for Business
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 101
- Transfers to
- CSU
In this course, students learn how to use Google Apps, a collection of free Web-based productivity tools, in a business environment. Topics include Google Search, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Sites, and emerging trends in Google Apps. Students use the Internet to access their files and tools to manipulate and collaborate with the instructor and classmates.
CSIT 146 E-Commerce and Web Presence
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 101
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course teaches the principles and technologies involved in e-commerce and creating a Web presence for a small or medium-sized business (SMB). It addresses the needs of both online and traditional brick and mortar businesses and provides students with a basic working knowledge of how to sell products and services on the Web. It covers aspects of business and marketing planning, a survey of Web technologies, such as HTML, XHTML, HTML5 and CSS, use of digital media, building an online store, e-commerce security, electronic payment systems, international and legal issues, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and current marketing trends. Students create a starter e-business Web site or improve an existing site that can be used for their business or to help them get a job in the field.
CSIT 149 Microsoft Windows
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 101
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces students to the current Microsoft Windows operating system. Students learn how to install the operating system, create and manage user accounts, view system components and properties, install applications, switch between different application windows, manage files and folders, and customize the Windows environment. The course also covers networking, file and folder sharing, computer security, malware, and safe Internet use.
CSIT 150 Artificial Intelligence: Concepts
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 123
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of artificial intelligence (AI), including its history, techniques, and applications. Students explore the fundamental concepts and methodologies in AI, including problem-solving, knowledge representation, reasoning, ethics, and learning. Students gain an understanding of AI algorithms, techniques, and tools currently being used in this area of study.
CSIT 151 Artificial Intelligence: Applications
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 150
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course equips students with the hands-on skills needed to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) tools into real-world work environments. It delves into actionable insights and practical application of a range of AI technologies. The course also fosters an understanding of not just the algorithms that power AI, but also their ethical implications and productivity enhancements.
CSIT 152 Artificial Intelligence: Strategies and Solutions
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 151
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course delves into the cutting-edge research and techniques of artificial intelligence through the exploration of state-of-the-art AI models, methodologies, and ethics. Students gain exposure to current research and practical experience in implementing and evaluating advanced AI algorithms and systems for a wide range of complex tasks and real-world applications.
CSIT 155 Social Media for Business
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 101
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course explores social media use from a business perspective. Students learn how to develop a social media strategy to promote business, build stronger customer relations, target a broad base or niche audience, and develop effective marketing and advertising techniques that enhance Web presence and coordinate a common message across multiple channels. Students explore historical development as well as emerging trends in Web applications and services that facilitate creativity, collaboration, and information sharing among users and business.
CSIT 160 Technology, the Individual, and Society
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with credit limitation)
This course critically examines the interrelationships among technology, the individual, and society. Students investigate the historical, political, and economic factors that influence the growth and development of technology and assess how individuals and society respond to the challenges and consequences of the technology revolution. Appropriate for both technical and non-technical majors, the course explores principles, methodologies, and value systems from a technology and social science interdisciplinary perspective. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for CSIT 160 or CSIT 165.
CSIT 165 Living in an Online World
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with credit limitation)
This course considers human behavior in relation to the challenges and opportunities presented by an increasingly online society. It places special emphasis on critically evaluating and managing one's online presence within this environment in a healthy way throughout various life stages. Appropriate for both technical and non-technical majors, this course explores the psychological, sociological, and physiological consequences for individuals and societies that result from the global use of the Internet in everyday life. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for CSIT 160 or CSIT 165.
CSIT 180 Fundamentals of Computer Hardware and Software
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture 3.50 hours, laboratory 1.50 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 110
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ITIS-110
This course provides students with fundamental knowledge covering PC hardware and peripherals, mobile device hardware, networking and troubleshooting hardware, network connectivity issues, installing and configuring operating systems, including Windows and Linux, Mac OS X, iOS, and Android operating system configurations, security, fundamentals of cloud computing, and operational procedures. This course helps prepare students for CompTIA A+ certification examinations. C-ID ITIS-110.
CSIT 181 Fundamentals of Computer Networking
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 180
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ITIS-150
This course presents an overview and introduction to computer networking components, network design, operations, management, protocols, and network operating systems. Students learn the layered functions of the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/Internet Protocol (IP) stack and how they relate to Internet architecture. Topics include TCP/IP addressing, subnetting, host and domain name resolution, routing considerations, and practical management of TCP/IP protocols and services. These concepts are applied in hands-on labs leveraging network servers, firewalls, clients, the Internet, virtualization, and networked applications. This course helps prepare students for the CompTIA Network+ certification exam. C-ID ITIS-150.
CSIT 182 Fundamentals of Computer Security
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 181
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ITIS-160
This course presents an overview and introduction to essential principles for network security and risk management. Students learn the core foundations of network security: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Topics include threats, operating system hardening, security in context of applications, network, network perimeter, and physical spaces, access control methods, encryption, monitoring and auditing, and redundancy/disaster recovery. These concepts are applied in hands-on labs leveraging network servers, firewalls, clients, the Internet, virtualization, and networked applications. This course helps prepare students for the CompTIA Security+ certification exam. C-ID ITIS-160.
CSIT 183 Windows Server
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 180
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ITIS-155
This course provides students with an understanding of Microsoft Windows Server. It focuses on administrative tasks including routine and troubleshooting scenarios, such as data and system recovery, operating-system selection, installation, and configuration, active directory design and implementation, user management, group policy and organizational units, virtualization, remote access, network services, especially domain name system (DNS), and system security, monitoring, and optimization. Students develop skills and apply their knowledge through hands-on projects and case-study assignments. This course helps prepare students for network server certification exams, such as CompTIA Server+ and Microsoft Windows Installing and Configuring Windows Server and Administering Windows Server. C-ID ITIS-155.
CSIT 184 Linux Server
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 180
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ITIS-155
This course provides students with an understanding of Linux operating systems with an emphasis on Linux Server operating systems. It focuses on the installation, configuration, management, and troubleshooting of Linux operating systems. Topics covered include administration of Linux systems, application servers, such as web, mail, ftp, and file/print servers, basic scripting, interworking services, such as TCP/IP and secure shell, as well as file sharing in hybrid environments using SAMBA with Windows, system performance and tuning, system security, package installation and removal, logging, scheduling, and Linux tools. This course helps prepare students for network server administration certification exams, such as CompTIA Server+ and Linux+ and Linux Professional Institute Certification Level 1 (LPIC-1) exams. C-ID ITIS-155.
CSIT 186 Cybersecurity: Analyst
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 182
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course applies the principles and technologies to prevent, detect, combat, and recover from cybersecurity threats including behavior analytics to improve and harden the overall state and posture of an IT Security environment. Building upon their knowledge of networks and cybersecurity, students are exposed to threat management, vulnerability management, cyber incident response, and security architectures. The tools and techniques used in this course are approached from a vendor-neutral perspective, as these are open source tools commonly found on the Internet used by attackers. This course helps prepare students for the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst+ (CySA+) certification exam.
CSIT 188 Cybersecurity: Ethical Hacker
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 182
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ITIS-164
This course teaches the principles and technologies involved with looking for weaknesses and vulnerabilities in target systems from a network security perspective including the five phases of penetration testing. Students are exposed to the same knowledge and tools as a malicious hacker and learn how to assess the security posture of target systems in a lawful and legitimate manner building upon their knowledge of networks and security. The tools and techniques used in this course are approached from a vendor-neutral perspective many times using open source tools commonly found on the Internet. This course helps prepare students for the CompTIA PenTest+ certification exam and other cybersecurity related exams. C-ID ITIS-164.
CSIT 191 Fundamentals of Cisco Networking
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours
- Advisory
- CSIT 180
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ITIS-150
This course provides an overview and introduction to Cisco networking components (routers and switches), network design, operations, management, protocols, and Cisco's Internetwork Operating System (IOS). Students learn how to cable and connect routers and switches and then use IOS to configure and manage the equipment. Topics include TCP/IP addressing, subnetting, packet routing, troubleshooting, and practical management of TCP/IP protocols and services as it pertains to Cisco networking equipment. These concepts are applied in hands on and virtualized labs and Cisco Packet Tracer simulation software. This course helps prepare students for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and CompTIA Network+ certification exams. C-ID ITIS-150.
CSIT 195 IT Career Exploration and Portfolio Development
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- Lecture 1 hour
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course teaches students how to create a portfolio to professionally display their best work and to increase job opportunities. Topics include defining an audience, organizing and adapting a body of work, and formatting and creating a finished portfolio designed to reflect the student's vision and highlight the quality of his or her accomplishments. The course also explores effective career studies and services. Note: Students should complete most courses within their chosen Computer Studies certificate program before enrolling in CSIT 195.
CSIT 286 Professional Certification Preparation
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- Lecture 1 hour
- Transfers to
- CSU
Attaining a professional certification can help employers further validate a student's MiraCosta degree, certificate, or course work. This course provides an overview of industry-based third-party professional certifications, credentials, and licenses specific to a student's discipline of study. Topics include goal setting, a survey of professional certifications relevant to the discipline, industry trends and certification value assessment, exam preparation and exam strategies, practice exams, resolving any skill deficiencies, and life-long learning. Under the instruction of a faculty-mentor, students reflect on their prior course work and career aspirations to produce and execute a plan that outlines the necessary steps to attain the professional certification of their choice. Although students are encouraged to do so, signing up for and/or passing a certification exam is not required to pass the course.
CSIT 292 Internship Studies
- Units
- 0.5-14
- Corequisite
- Complete 54 hours of work per unit, paid or unpaid
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or work/intern at a new site upon each enrollment.
CSIT 299 Occupational Work Experience Education
- Units
- 0.5-14
- Corequisite
- Complete 54 hours of work per unit, paid or unpaid
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is intended for students who are employed in a job directly related to their major or career area of interest. It allows such students the opportunity to apply the theories and skills of their discipline to their position and to undertake new responsibilities and learn new skills at work. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or work/intern at a new site upon each enrollment.