During the last five years, XML has become the method of choice for storing and transmitting a wide variety of data types, rapidly outdistancing all the plethora of data exchange alternatives proposed and tried during the 1990s. In their report, "Mid Tier XML Market Opportunities, Strategies, and Forecasts, 2004 to 2009", Wintergreen Research predicts that, "At some point after the end of the forecast period, all databases will be XML enabled."
A Feasibility Assessment Survey of potential employers was conducted by WCC's Institutional Research Office in November, 2005, to determine potential audiences for XML instruction. The results of this survey, together with analysis of technical job postings in southeast Michigan, indicate that there is a growing need for employees with XML skills. In order to fill this need, and to position Washtenaw County and southeast Michigan to benefit from the growing importance of XML, the Computer Instruction Department will offer certificates in XML-based technologies.
Survey and job posting analysis indicates there are four potential audiences for such training:
Based on these four audiences, we propose the following two certificates and an Associate degree program option:
Based on the analysis and survey, 14 technical outcome areas and 13 general skill areas have been identified. Details of the technical areas are listed in the document "XML Learning Area Outcomes", and an overview is given here:
Community of interest refers to groups that want to share information, and devise an XML schema or document type to encode data for exchange. This has been done in almost all fields; in southeast Michigan the most prominent "communities of interest" are auto manufacturing, health care, law, and document retrieval. Each has one or more XML-based schemas for encoding and exchanging information.
General skill areas are taught in all classes. Technical outcomes will be learned in individual courses.
Description: As XML usage becomes widespread, many people find themselves working with data that needs to be marked up using XML. This requires not only knowledge the principles of XML, but also an understanding of Web coding, relational database concepts, and the philosophy underlying XML coding standards in specific fields.
Admission Requirements:
Students need one semester of high school word processing and spreadsheets or CIS 100 or permission of program advisor.
| Number | Course | Credits | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| INP 150 | Web Coding I | 03 |
9 |
| CIS 282 | Relational Database Concepts and Application | 03 |
12 |
| CIS 179 | XML Applications | 03 |
1, 2, 3, 4a, 5, 6, 7, 10a, 10b |
| Total credits: | 09 |
Description: The use of XML is becoming very widespread, leading to a need for programmers to process XML-based storage and transaction records. This certificate will equip students to analyze and use Java, XSLT, and other widely-used programming languages to create software for interfacing XML data with databases and network transmission systems.
Admission Requirements: Certificate in XML Data Analysis or equivalent coursework or experience.
| Number | Course | Credits | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Either: CPS 161 |
An Introduction to Programming with Java | 04 |
11 |
| Or CIS 269 |
Java Certification Preparation (see note 2 below) | ||
| CIS 279 | XML Programming | 04 |
4, 10, 12, 13, 14 |
| Total credits: | 08 |
Major/Area Requirements: Instead of options, require INP 150.
| Number | Course | Credits | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Either: CPS 161 |
An Introduction to Programming with Java | 04 |
11 |
| Or CIS 269 |
Java Certification Preparation (see note 2 below) | ||
| CIS 179 | XML Applications | 03 |
1, 2, 3, 4a, 5, 6, 7, 10a, 10b |
| CIS 279 | XML Programming | 04 |
4, 10, 12, 13, 14 |
| Total credits: | 11 |
This certificate requires development of one new 3-credit class, "XML Applications" in order to make the following learning outcomes available:
Description: The student will learn the purpose, strengths, weaknesses and structure of XML, and will survey XML-based markup systems for diverse communities of interest. In addition, the student will become familiar with the operating philosophy and activities of groups responsible for XML-based standards in at least one technical, business, or academic field. The focus will be on learning to apply XML-based coding to information in a specific field, preferably one in which the student is or expects to be employed.
Prerequisites: one semester of high school word processing and spreadsheets or CIS 100 or permission of instructor.
| XML purpose |
1 |
| XML strengths and weaknesses in comparison with other tools
for data and text markup, storage, and exchange |
2 |
| Survey of XML-based markup systems for diverse communities of interest | 3 |
| XML structure (overview) |
4a, 4b |
| Understanding of the philosophy behind one or more XML-based markup systems for specific communities of interest | 5 |
| Following the latest details in a community of interest | 6 |
| Tools and techniques for applying XML markup in a specific community of interest | 7 |
| Following the latest XML developments | 8 |
| XSLT and XPath (overview) | 10a, 10b |