Directed Research & Writing (1)To complete the DRW for the Cyber & AI Track, students may choose to nominate and complete a research task under the over-sight of a faculty member. Alternatively, students may complete a Cyber or AI certification of industry knowledge and skills, with the approval and oversight of a faculty member.
Transhumanism in Theology
Changing Hearts and Minds: This research by L. Crow (Senior 2019) concluded that for the church to address transhumanism first requires a basic literacy surrounding the word “transhumanism” - to understand both what it is and what it isn’t. Second, it requires a people who see the world as God wants us to see the world.
Fake Nukes
Strategic Deterrence and Escalation in the Age of Deep Fakes and WMD Development: This research by C. Marr (Senior 2020) concluded it will be imperative for the United States to excel over its competitors on the international stage at deep fake technologies in order to maintain the ability to accurately measure the current nuclear activity of other nations. This will be critical for the protection of the home-land as well as for effective operations abroad.
Technical Foul
Exploring the Challenges of China’s Digital Silk Road: This research by M. Watterson (Senior 2020) concluded that the Digital Silk Road is just a small part of the new front of soft power competition that China has developed over the last decade. China’s Digital Silk Road puts much more at stake than who gets faster internet first. The U.S. must recognize that every bit of influence ceded to China makes more room for an ideology that is diametrically opposed to all the United States symbolizes.
Directed Research & Writing (2)To complete the DRW for the Cyber & AI Track, students may choose to nominate and complete a research task under the over-sight of a faculty member. Alternatively, students may complete a Cyber or AI certification of industry knowledge and skills from non-PHC providers (requiring separate fees), with the approval and oversight of a faculty member.*
CompTIA A+
Provides a general introduction to the IT world. From there, many IT professionals can go on to specialize in a specific field of IT, like networks, security, or cloud computing, either by building experience or gaining relevant certifications. Potential jobs: Service desk analyst, technical support specialist, associate net-work engineer, desktop support administrator, system support specialist.
CompTIA Network+
Provides a foundational certification in networking principles. Unlike the CCNA, the Network+ is a vendor-neutral certification—meaning it doesn’t test you on any specific device or technology. The Network+ is considered to be more basic than the CCNA, making it a good option for those who are just starting out in networking. Potential jobs: Network administrator, network engineer, system administrator.
CompTIA Security+
Introduces students to a wide range of technologies, best practices, and business considerations necessary for cybersecurity functions. Some areas of concentration include attacks and vulnerabilities, identity and access controls, business risk management, cryptography, and incident response. Security+ is considered the industry baseline for cybersecurity competency.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud Practitioner
Cloud computing is one of the most in-demand fields in IT, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) is currently the most-used cloud platform in the world. The AWS Cloud Practitioner certification is the most entry-level of the AWS certifications and is designed to help you gain foundational AWS knowledge. Potential jobs: Cloud engineering intern, cloud developer, cloud engineer, cloud architect.
Microsoft Fundamentals
Entry-level qualifications for those who are expected to work with Microsoft products and likely to be in-demand skills in IT. Potential Jobs: IT specialist, Microsoft systems administrator, Microsoft server support technician, Microsoft Technician specialist.
*Note: These industry certifications require advance approval by the overseeing faculty member and additional, non-PHC fees.
