Information Technology 230

ITEC 230: Foundations of Cloud Computing

Credit Hours: (3)

Instructional Method: Three hours lecture

Prerequisites: Either ITEC 119 or ITEC 120 with a grade of “C” or better

Introductory study of cloud computing terminology; economic and technical advantages of using the cloud, key considerations and challenges organizations face during cloud migration, and fundamentals to maintain (including optimizing and securing) cloud infrastructure for their organization. Students study a commercial cloud platform, such
as Amazon Web Services (AWS). Prepares students to take a foundational cloud certification exam, such as the AWS Cloud Practitioner, Azure Fundamentals, or Google Cloud Digital Leader.

Content

  Topics include:

1. The importance of cloud computing

2. Choosing a cloud model

3. Case studies of commercial cloud platforms (e. g. AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure)

4. Transitioning to a cloud :

5. Cloud transformation to a commercial cloud platform (e. g. AWS

6. Exploring a commercial cloud platform (e. g. AWS)

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Topics include:

1.  The importance of cloud computing

  1.  Cloud computing terminology
  2.  Advantages of a cloud: economic and technical reasons

2.  Choosing a cloud model

  1. Baseline cloud architectures
  2. Service models
  3. Deployment and delivery models

3.  Case studies of commercial cloud platforms (e. g. AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure)

  1. Features
  2. Economics

4.  Transitioning to a cloud : design, application workloads, migration, dependencies in applications, and, security requirements

5.  Cloud transformation to a commercial cloud platform (e. g. AWS)

  1. Cloud adoption framework provided by the platform to improve business outcomes such as reduced cost and risk, and improved overall efficiency and customer experience
  2. Classification  of  organizational  abilities  that  leverage processes to achieve the desired outcomes
  3. Inculcating the digital fluency and acumen in the workforce
  4. Ensuring that the delivered cloud services meet the business needs

6.  Exploring a commercial cloud platform (e. g. AWS)

  1. Components of the platform
  2. Customizing the platform based on organizational needs
  • 1.  Examples of organization need with case studies (e. g., case study of healthcare vs financial organization)

3.  Securing cloud resources: secure authentication, authorization and accountability

4.  Need for automating cloud services and tools to help with this process.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the course will be able to:

1. Identify cloud terminology

2. Enumerate the different cloud services, deployment and delivery models

3. Explain the economic and technical advantages of migrating to a cloud platform

4. Identify strategies and challenges in migrating to a cloud platform including design, workload, application dependencies, and security challenges

5. Analyze best practices provided by the cloud platform to improve the required business outcomes

6. Identify components available for migrating, maintaining, and securing

cloud solutions

Assessment Measures

 

A significant component of the assessment must measure each individual student’s mastery of the conceptual and applied knowledge and skills described in the course objectives. Evaluations may include, but are not limited to: assignments, projects, papers, presentations, quizzes, and examinations.

 

Reviewed and approved: June, 2023