College and Major

[Ryld]

Hey everyone. Yeah, I'm another linux newbie.

I plan on using linux to run a small traffic web and ftp server...but now to the reason for the post.

I'm 18, a senior in high school, so I'll be going to college pretty soon. The whole growing up thing is kind of scary! But my problem is this: I want to major in networking / network admin / server admin...whatever...with linux. I've been trying to find out the name of the major, but I can't. So do any of you know the name of the major? And do you know of any good colleges to go to?

As for my server endeavors, I'm buying two 160gb harddrives in a few days...and I'm thinking about striping them (Yeah...I plan on having a lot of files) and using SuSE 9.3. And networking with Windows is really important. Any tips there? Thanks in advance!

[AlexK]

I guess most CS degrees would have some sort of networking component/option in it. But so far I haven't seen any collage/universities offering a major in Networking or sysadmin per-se. Most people that I know who are working in that area are CS graduates who just picked up some CCNA or RH certification for Network/sysadmin.

Networking with windows is a breeze in SUSE, be sure to read up about SAMBA, yast (SUSE"s control center) can set it up for you quite easily. Now about the raid stuff, I wouldn't have any idea about setting it up in linux, but be warned that you cannot have multiple OS's on a raided hard drive (as far as i know from my own research).

[Cabhan]

I know that many CS majors offer a number of focuses in the higher levels, among which is Networking.

Though I haven't explored Information Technology too much, this is the major of acting as the intermediary between Developer and user, so there may also be a Networking focus to these.


My recommendation is to e-mail the Computer department people at prospective colleges to ask if/how they offer Networking. Also, once you are into a college, you should meet with an advisor to plan out how to go through it.


And hey, I'm in the middle of the college search (well, actually, already applied everywhere), but I'm going for CS. In regards to good colleges, well, Carnegie Mellon and MIT are the obvious ones (if you've the grades/scores). You might also check out the University of Maryland, UC Berkley, and other such schools.

[bryansmith]

CS degree: If you are willing to come up to Canada, check out the University of Waterloo CS program. From what I have heard, it is truly the best of the best. Apparently graduating from there with a CS degree is like graduating from Harvard with a law degree. This is obviously open to debate and such but this is what I have heard (my university is better for everything else though :P ).

Some links:
- http://www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/liaison/s.../csrocks.shtml
- http://www.newsrelease.uwaterloo.ca/news.php?id=4608

Bryan

[Ryld]

Well, I did some research on a college local to me (Central Georgia Technical College), and I haven't made a phone call (yet), but here's the course outline for the Microcomputer Specialist - Network Specialist Associate's Degree.

Core classes, of course.
Occupational Courses
48
SCT 100 Introduction to Microcomputers
3
CIS 103 Operating System Concepts
6
CIS 105 Program Design and Development
5
CIS 106 Computer Concepts
5
CIS 1140 Networking Fundamentals
6
OR
CIS 2321 Introduction To LAN and WAN
6
CIS 122 Microcomputer Installation and Maintenance
7
CIS xxxx Program Language Elective
7
CIS xxxx Networking Elective
9

Completion of one of the following groups of specialty courses is required:
Microsoft Windows Networking Specialty Courses
24
CIS 2149 Implementing Microsoft Windows Professional
6
CIS 2150 Implementing Microsoft Windows Server
6
CIS 2153 Implementing Microsoft Windows Networking Infrastructure
6
CIS 2154 Implementing Microsoft Windows Network Directory Services
6

Total Hours

102
OR
Cisco Networking Specialty Courses
24
CIS 2321 Introduction to LAN and WAN
6
CIS 2322 Introduction to WANs and Routing
6
CIS 276 Advanced Routers and Switches
6
CIS 277 WAN Design
6

Total Hours

102
OR
Linux/Unix Networking Specialty Courses
24
CIS 2554 Introduction to Unix/Linux
6
CIS 2555 UNIX/Linux Administration
6
CIS 2556 UNIX/Linux Advanced Administration
6
CIS 2557 UNIX/Linux Shell Programming and Scripting
6

Total Hours

102



Worth it? Or somewhere else where I can actually get some kind of certification? Thanks again!

[chopin1810]

And hey, I'm in the middle of the college search (well, actually, already applied everywhere), but I'm going for CS. In regards to good colleges, well, Carnegie Mellon and MIT are the obvious ones (if you've the grades/scores).

MIT?? I read that's surpassed Harvard as the most difficult college to get in to... even if he get's in to it he'll be paying about 30 thousand dollars a year or probably more, ultimatly leaving him in about 90 thousand dollars in debt, unless he's lucky enough to get a scholarship, and even then he'll end up paying for at least one year... really, you must have extremely high levels of intelligence to get admitted...

[jdrusmtik9]

At BYU; which is a very prominent and the cheapest Private shcool you can go to, no you don't have to be a member. Its caled IS, information systems. And thats exactly what its for. Its all about computer adminsitration, rather than computer science.

If BYU is out of your reach try BYUi

My old comunity college called is CIS, computer information systems.

If you still in highshcool pick up the a+ and the Network+ exam cram books at amazon.com. Passing those is something that you can add to your credentials when looking for a job later; and it will give you a head start in college.

Also its a good idea to attend a Community college before you attend a university. For one thing its a hell of a lot cheaper. Second of all it lets you know if your even capable of college. and you can get all you General Ed crap out of the way at a easy community college so you don't have to take really hard Classes at a University. Seeing as the Major classes are ussually easier than the general ed classes.

And whatever you do check out http://www.ratemyprofesors.com and mostl likely I spelled that wrong and the spell checker never works for me. But have fun. Im going up to BYUi as a buisness managment major with an emphisis in Finance and a Minor in IS, so maybe I can make these Linux company some money![/url]

[Cabhan]

@Ryld:

Well, that certainly has the UNIX/Linux Networking specialization that you wanted. However, because not all colleges have the same program, you really should check all prospective colleges and see which has the best program for you. If you visit a school, I highly recommend setting up a visit with a CS advisor or someone high up so that you can get a good description right from them.

@chopin:

Yeah, it is a VERY difficult college to get into, but that said, it is also one of the best technology schools in the country. Similarly, Carnegie Mellon is usually tied with MIT on most surveys/rankings (or +/- 1).

[AlexK]

... it is also one of the best technology schools in the country. ....

Make that world and you'd get a more accurate picture. Only way I can get into some place like MIT or Harvard or Carnegie Mellon is to either go on exchange or try to get into some postgrad degree there.

@ Ryld,
Once again as Cabhan said, it would be a good idea to talk to the advisors at prospective schools and also talk to students who go there, they sometimes give you a better picture of what the course is about and what you can expect. However looking over the one you have posted, it looks good, but I would still recommend that you pick up some extra certifications e.g. CCNA, RHCE just to differentiate yourself from the rest of your peers.

[Ryld]

Thanks for the help, guys. Looks like I'll be in a financial bind for a while...at least until I graduate and get a decent-paying job and can pay back all my loans...

I'll keep looking. Thanks for the help again.