Janet Sykes • (901) 333-4138

The Industrial Computer Fundamentals Certificate Program emphasizes the basic skills needed to begin a career in the computer engineering technology field. Designed for high school graduates or those entering industry for the first time, the program covers several essential areas. These areas include: introduction to engineering technology; computer systems installation, maintenance, and applications such as word processing and spreadsheets; introduction to electric circuits; digital circuits; introduction to C++ programming.

Certificate candidates cannot already hold a degree in Computer Engineering Technology. Candidates must also meet the requirements of a first-time college student or transfer student (see the Admissions  section of the current Southwest Catalog). Candidates must take at least 15 of the 18 hours at Southwest. Each student should assure that he or she has met the prerequisites before attempting to register for a course. The program is designed as a two-semester sequence.

Students who complete this certificate program will be qualified to enter the Cooperative Education (Co-op) program and/or entry-level positions in industry. The purpose of the Co-op program is to train students in the industrial world, combining classroom with industrial experience. Many employers participating in Co-op provide tuition for students who wish to continue their education.

Certificate holders may find employment as entry-level technicians with companies that design, manufacture, test, utilize, or maintain computer systems or computer peripherals. Graduates may work in areas such as software trouble-shooting, computer network equipment testing and maintenance, and computer hardware installation and maintenance. Four of the courses in the certificate program (CPET 1114 , ELET 1110 , CPET 1124 , and CPET 1144 ) transfer to the Computer Engineering Technology associate degree program.