DevOps - Development and Operations Automation

Program Description

The DevOps – Development and Operations Automation Associate Degree program prepares students for a career in Computer Information Systems (CIS) or transfer for continued study. A graduate of this program is able to improve efficiency in Information Systems, CIS operations, and create software products. They are able to monitor and manage many information systems operations and software development processes by creating reusable scripts and software modules.

DevOps is the use of software DEVelopment tools to automate Information Systems OPerations. It requires Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSA) of Information Technology (IT) components, configuration and programming that integrate IT components into Information Systems (IS), and the ability to automate the activities through use of the Application Programming Interfaces (API) published by equipment and service providers. The main characteristic of DevOps is to strongly advocate and implement automation and monitoring at all steps of software and infrastructure construction, from integration, testing, and releasing, to deployment and infrastructure management. DevOps aims at shorter development cycles, increased deployment frequency and more dependable releases in close alignment with business objectives.

Students who are interested in continuing their studies after completion of the two-year associate degree should consult with the departmental chair, read the “Transfer Information” section of the college catalog, and discuss their plans with their program advisor or counselor. Four-year universities may have additional or different course requirements for completion of lower division courses. The website www.assist.org can provide additional information about applicable courses for transfer.

To qualify for the Associate in Science Degree, students must satisfactorily complete the major requirements specified below and the local AA/AS general education requirements. The completion time for this degree program is generally 4 semesters. Completion time will vary based on student preparation and the number of units completed per semester.

This AS degree program requires:

1. Completion of at least 60 degree-applicable semester units including the following:

a. A minimum of 18 semester units from the program (major) requirements

b. A minimum of 21 units of local AA/AS General Education requirements

c. A minimum of 12 of the 60 units must be completed at Merritt College

d. Courses taken outside the Peralta Community College District will be reviewed and evaluated to determine if they are degree-applicable

e. If the General Education and the major units do not total 60, complete degree-applicable elective course(s) to reach the required 60 units

2. A minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major

3. A minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for General Education Area 1A: English Composition and Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

4. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 in General Education coursework and in all coursework for the degree

As this degree alone may not be complete preparation for transfer, students wishing to transfer to a 4-year institution should meet with a counselor to develop a plan that addresses all transfer requirements.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities may include Computer Systems Engineers/Architects, Computer Systems Analysts, Computer Programmers, PMI Agile Certified Practitioner, California Department of Industrial Relations (CA-DIR) IT Project Manager, Information Security Analysts, Computer and Information Systems Managers, Computer Systems Analysts, Advanced Information Operations (IO) Planner (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only), Aviation Logistics Information Management System (ALIMS) Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted), Cyberspace Operations, Cyber Command and Control Mission System (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only), Cyberspace Operations, Cyber Security and Control System (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only).

Learning Outcome(s)

1. Plan control of IT Components using Application Programming Interface (API)
2. Select operations to automate in an IT project.
3. Design Operations information flow for operations automation monitoring
4. Select Key Performance Metrics and that define baselines and norms.