Career Details
15-1211.00 - Computer Systems Analysts
Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions, improve existing computer systems, and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and schedule limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.
Key Facts

Tasks

Core
- Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer-related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems.
- Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems.
- Confer with clients regarding the nature of the information processing or computation needs a computer program is to address.
- Coordinate and link the computer systems within an organization to increase compatibility so that information can be shared.
- Consult with management to ensure agreement on system principles.
- Expand or modify system to serve new purposes or improve work flow.
- Train staff and users to work with computer systems and programs.
- Assess the usefulness of pre-developed application packages and adapt them to a user environment.
- Define the goals of the system and devise flow charts and diagrams describing logical operational steps of programs.
- Develop, document, and revise system design procedures, test procedures, and quality standards.
- Use the computer in the analysis and solution of business problems, such as development of integrated production and inventory control and cost analysis systems.
- Troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning.
Supplemental
- Use object-oriented programming languages, as well as client and server applications development processes and multimedia and Internet technology.
- Interview or survey workers, observe job performance, or perform the job to determine what information is processed and how it is processed.
- Determine computer software or hardware needed to set up or alter system.
- Analyze information processing or computation needs and plan and design computer systems, using techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling, and information engineering.
- Review and analyze computer printouts and performance indicators to locate code problems, and correct errors by correcting codes.
- Recommend new equipment or software packages.
- Read manuals, periodicals, and technical reports to learn how to develop programs that meet staff and user requirements.
- Supervise computer programmers or other systems analysts or serve as project leaders for particular systems projects.
- Prepare cost-benefit and return-on-investment analyses to aid in decisions on system implementation.
- Specify inputs accessed by the system and plan the distribution and use of the results.
Knowledge

- 86%Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- 79%Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- 62%Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- 62%Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- 60%Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- 51%Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- 50%Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
- 50%Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Tools

- Desktop computers
- Mainframe computers
- Notebook computers
- Personal digital assistants PDA
Technology

- 3M Post-it App
- Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe Systems Adobe Fireworks
- Adobe Systems Adobe Flash
- Adobe Systems Adobe IllustratorHOT
- Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
- Diagramming software
- Flow chart software
- Google DocsHOT
- Microsoft ExcelHOT
- Microsoft PowerPointHOT
- Microsoft Publisher
- Microsoft VisioHOT
- Microsoft WordHOT
- Omni Group OmniGraffle
- YouTubeHOT
- Access management software
- Amazon Simple Storage Service S3HOT
- Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormationHOT
- CitrixHOT
- IBM Domino
- AcmeStudio
- Ada
- Adobe ColdFusion
- Adobe Systems Adobe ActionScript
- Adobe Systems Adobe Flex
- Advanced business application programming ABAPHOT
- AJAXHOT
- Apache AntHOT
- Apache GroovyHOT
- Apache KafkaHOT
- Apache Maven
- Apache StrutsHOT
- Apache TomcatHOT
- Application management software
- Architecture description language ADL
- Atlassian BambooHOT
- Automated installation software
- Backbone.jsHOT
- C
- C#HOT
- C++HOT
- Cascading Style Sheets CSSHOT
- Chef
- Common business oriented language COBOLHOT
- Compatibility testing software
- Component object model COM software
- Defect tracking software
- Distributed component object model DCOM software
- DjangoHOT
- DrupalHOT
- Dynamic analysis software
- Dynamic hypertext markup language DHTML
- Eclipse IDEHOT
- Eiffel
- Embarcadero JBuilder
- Enterprise JavaBeans
- Ext JS
- Extensible HyperText Markup Language XHTML
- Extensible markup language XMLHOT
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- Functional testing software
- GoHOT
- Google AngularJSHOT
- Hewlett Packard LoadRunner
- HyperSpace
- Hypertext markup language HTMLHOT
- IBM InfoSphere DataStage
- IBM Rational ClearCase
- IBM Rational ClearQuest
- IBM Rational PurifyPlus
- IBM Rational Rose XDE Developer
- IBM WebSphereHOT
- InstallShield
- Integrated development environment IDE softwareHOT
- Integration testing software
- Interoperability testing software
- J
- JavaScriptHOT
- JavaScript Object Notation JSONHOT
- jQueryHOT
- JUnitHOT
- Jupyter Notebook
- LAMP Stack
- Load testing software
- Microsoft .NET FrameworkHOT
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASPHOT
- Microsoft ActiveX
- Microsoft ASP.NETHOT
- Microsoft ASP.NET Core MVCHOT
- Microsoft AzureHOT
- Microsoft PowerShellHOT
- Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services SSISHOT
- Microsoft Visual BasicHOT
- Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBAHOT
- Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScriptHOT
- Microsoft Visual Basic.NET
- Microsoft Visual C# .NET
- Microsoft Visual StudioHOT
- Migration testing software
- Mutation testing software
- National Instruments LabVIEWHOT
- Node.jsHOT
- Objective CHOT
- Oracle Fusion MiddlewareHOT
- Oracle JavaHOT
- Oracle Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition J2EE
- Oracle JavaServer Pages JSPHOT
- Patch and update management software
- Perforce Helix software
- Personal computer diagnostic software
- PHP: Hypertext PreprocessorHOT
- Popkin System Architect
- Practical extraction and reporting language PerlHOT
- PuppetHOT
- PythonHOT
- RHOT
- Rapide
- ReactHOT
- Recovery testing software
- Regression testing software
- Requirements management software
- RubyHOT
- Ruby on RailsHOT
- Salesforce VisualforceHOT
- SAP NetWeaver
- SAP Netweaver BW
- ScalaHOT
- Security testing software
- SeleniumHOT
- Smalltalk
- Software distribution software
- Spring FrameworkHOT
- Static analysis software
- Stress testing software
- SwiftHOT
- Symantec Visual Cafe
- System testing software
- Systems and application deployment and migration software
- Test design software
- Test implementation software
- Time sharing option TSO software
- Unified modeling language UMLHOT
- Unit testing software
- Usability testing software
- Verilog
- VMWareHOT
- WebFOCUS
- Wise Solutions Wise for Windows Installer
- Active directory software
- CrossTec NetOp Remote Control
- DockerHOT
- GitHubHOT
- Oracle Application Server
- Oracle WebLogic ServerHOT
- Red Hat OpenShiftHOT
- Red Hat WildFlyHOT
- Remote control software
- Skype
- Spring BootHOT
- Stac Software ReachOut
- Symantec pcAnywhere
- Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
- Apache Subversion SVNHOT
- Atlassian JIRAHOT
- GitHOT
- Version control software
- ADP Workforce NowHOT
- Ansible softwareHOT
- ConfluenceHOT
- Help desk software
- Human resource management software HRMS
- Marketo Marketing AutomationHOT
- Microsoft OfficeHOT
- Microsoft ProjectHOT
- Microsoft SharePointHOT
- Microsoft Teams
- Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementHOT
- Oracle TaleoHOT
- Slack
- Amazon DynamoDBHOT
- Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2HOT
- Amazon RedshiftHOT
- Amazon Web Services AWS softwareHOT
- Apache CassandraHOT
- Apache HadoopHOT
- Apache HiveHOT
- Apache HTTP ServerHOT
- Apache PigHOT
- Apache SolrHOT
- Apache SparkHOT
- Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
- Blackboard software
- Business intelligence system software
- CA Erwin Data Modeler
- Customer information control system CICS
- Data entry softwareHOT
- ElasticsearchHOT
- FileMaker Pro
- Google AnalyticsHOT
- Hibernate ORM
- IBM Cognos ImpromptuHOT
- IBM DB2
- Informatica Corporation PowerCenter
- LexisNexis
- Microsoft AccessHOT
- Microsoft Internet Information Service IIS
- Microsoft SQL ServerHOT
- Microsoft SQL Server Reporting ServicesHOT
- Microsoft Visual FoxPro
- MicroStrategyHOT
- MongoDBHOT
- MySQLHOT
- NoSQLHOT
- Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise EditionHOT
- Oracle Business Intelligence Suite
- Oracle DBMS
- Oracle Eloqua
- Oracle JDBCHOT
- Oracle Master Data Management MDM Suite
- Oracle PL/SQLHOT
- Oracle softwareHOT
- PostgreSQLHOT
- Qlik Tech QlikViewHOT
- Relational database management softwareHOT
- Salesforce softwareHOT
- SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise
- SAP BusinessObjects Desktop Intelligence
- SAP Crystal ReportsHOT
- SAP Master Data Management MDM
- Software asset management SAM software
- Structured query language SQLHOT
- Sun Microsystems Sun ONE
- TableauHOT
- Teradata DatabaseHOT
- Transact-SQLHOT
- Web server software
- Apple macOSHOT
- BashHOT
- Hewlett Packard HP-UX
- Job control language JCL
- KornShell
- LinuxHOT
- Microsoft WindowsHOT
- Microsoft Windows ServerHOT
- Oracle SolarisHOT
- Red Hat Enterprise LinuxHOT
- Shell scriptHOT
- Ubuntu
- UNIXHOT
- UNIX ShellHOT
- Blink
- Cisco Systems Webex
- ESRI ArcGIS softwareHOT
- Geographic information system GIS softwareHOT
- IBM NotesHOT
- Microsoft ExchangeHOT
- Microsoft OutlookHOT
- Slido
- Cisco Systems CiscoWorks
- Element management software
- NagiosHOT
- Network intrusion prevention systems NIPS
- Snort
- Voice over internet protocol VoiP system softwareHOT
- WiresharkHOT
- Computer aided design and drafting CADD softwareHOT
- Dassault Systemes CATIAHOT
- Electronic design automation EDA softwareHOT
- Epic SystemsHOT
- Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCSHOT
- Hierarchical simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis HSPICE
- IBM SPSS StatisticsHOT
- Medical condition coding softwareHOT
- Medical procedure coding software
- MEDITECH softwareHOT
- MinitabHOT
- OrCAD CaptureHOT
- SASHOT
- SpectraQuestHOT
- StataCorp Stata
- Structure prediction software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA softwareHOT
- The MathWorks MATLABHOT
- Cost estimation software
- Delphi Technology
- Fund accounting software
- Microsoft DynamicsHOT
- Microsoft Dynamics GPHOT
- NetSuite ERPHOT
- Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
- Oracle Fusion ApplicationsHOT
- Oracle HyperionHOT
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOneHOT
- Oracle PeopleSoftHOT
- Oracle PeopleSoft FinancialsHOT
- SAPHOT
- SAP Business ObjectsHOT
- Tax software
- Data conversion software
- System and data disaster recovery software
- Veritas NetBackup
- IBM Power Systems software
- Splunk EnterpriseHOT
- McAfee
- SymantecHOT
- Virtual private networking VPN softwareHOT
- Virus scanning software
Certifications

Licensing

Related Programs

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
The Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) in Information Technology degree program provides a broad view of various relevlant topics within the field of IT.
The major puts students in the middle of the exploding information revolution where they study technological advances such as object-oriented software, communication networks, multimedia systems, information security and artificial intelligence. Students will learn about computing technologies used by today’s professionals and how to use these technologies to solve real-world problems. Students will learn to analyze problems, design solutions, implement solutions using multiple computing technologies, test and install those solutions, and communicate those solutions to others in written and verbal presentations.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology focuses on highly relevant skills in cybersecurity, computer networking, and end-user design and development. The Information Technology degree goes beyond the science behind computers, teaching students how to design, develop, test and maintain solutions in a wide range of computing and networking application areas.
Information Technology studies are integrated to provide students with the knowledge and skills to meet the computer technology needs of business, government, healthcare, education and other organizations. In addition to core competencies in programming and networking, security and privacy, and other application-focused computing fields, the Information Technology major features a junior-level project to address a community need. Also, students in the Information Technology major are required to complete a two-semester senior capstone project, allowing them to apply the range of their abilities in a real-world context. Students in the Information Technology major are also required to select 9 credit hours of IT senior class electives from various fields such as cyber-security, web/mobile development and computer networking.
The curriculum is designed primarily for students who wish to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree in computer science. The curriculum emphasizes the study of the science of computing and the use of computing in a scientific setting.
This curriculum is designed for those who seek employment in the field of information technology, for those who are presently in that field and who wish to increase their knowledge and update their skills, and for those who must augment their abilities in other fields with knowledge and skills in information technology.
Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
This program prepares the student to design and implement traditional/legacy stand-alone and client-server applications using procedural and object-oriented development techniques. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to study for one of the following industry certifications: MCP-Programming or the Sun Certified Programming for Java 2.
Purpose: This program is designed to provide students with skills that support the newest capabilities and advances in digital data analytics. These new features in digital data analytics technology enable the data analyst to collect, analyze and make data accessible for making business decisions. This program focuses on training data analytics specialists who can provide these advantages to their employers and stay on the leading edge of technology. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to study for data analytics exams such as CompTIA Data+, Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate and Google Data Analytics Certificate. Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
This curriculum is designed for those who seek employment in the field of cloud computing, for those who are presently in that field and who desire to increase their knowledge and update their skills, and for those who must augment their abilities in other fields with knowledge and skills in cloud computing.
Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
Purpose: This curriculum is designed for those who seek employment in the field of cloud computing, for those who are presently in that field and who desire to increase their knowledge and update their skills, and for those who must augment their abilities in other fields with knowledge and skills in cloud computing.
Credit for Prior Learning:Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
Purpose: This program prepares students for entry-level employment in data centers and related industries that require technicians/technologists trained in engineering technology, information technology, fiber optics, electronics, and data processing. Coursework will prepare students to earn the A+ Hardware, A+ Software, Network Troubleshooting, ETA FOI (Fiber Optic), and OSHA 10 industry credentials. Recommended prerequisites: There are no required prerequisites for this certificate. It is recommended that the student possess proficiency in high school English, high school algebra, and geometry and possess the ability to utilize hand tools and instrumentation.
Purpose:This program is designed for individuals seeking employment in either a mobile application software development firm or large organization with a mobile application development team as well as for those persons already employed who wish to update their skills in mobile application development and testing. This curriculum will prepare students for employment as junior mobile application developers as well as quality assurance test engineers for native mobile applications. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to study for the Google Associate Android Developer certification.
This program provides the student with a broad background in networking technologies, administration, and support. The material presented in the certificate provides the basic knowledge covered in the Windows Server, Security+, Linux+ and Network+ Certification. It is recommended that students complete the A+ Certification before the Network+ Certification.
Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
This program is designed to provide the student with the training necessary to obtain several different CISCO certifications as outlined below. These certifications prepare the student to install and/or configure networks, including wide area networks (WANs) and local area networks (LANs). They prepare students to optimize WANs through internet access solutions that reduce bandwidth and lower WAN costs, and provide remote access by integrating remote dial-up access with remote LAN to LAN access, as well as supporting higher levels of performance required for new applications such as internet commerce and multimedia. This career studies certificate also prepares the student to sit for the CISCO Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) certification exam.
Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
This curriculum is designed for persons who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree program in information technology.
The computer science curriculum integrates theory and practice by including foundational topics that underpin the discipline and by emphasizing the value of abstraction and good engineering design in project development. Elective courses provide an opportunity for deeper study in areas of interest. An important part of the curriculum is the inclusion of professional practice activities such as research experience, teamwork, oral communication and technical writing, and project development. While being sensitive to changes in technology, the curriculum also seeks to prepare students for lifelong learning to enable them to meet future challenges.
A student expecting to major or minor in computer science should enroll in CSCI 111-CSCI 112 in the first year. If credit is given for one or both of these courses, then a student should enroll in CSCI 211 or CSCI 210. A student interested in future graduate studies should complete the two calculus sequences, MATH 131-MATH 132. A student interested in computer hardware is encouraged to select PHYS 210 to meet one of the collegiate science requirements.
The computer science curriculum integrates theory and practice by including foundational topics that underpin the discipline and by emphasizing the value of abstraction and good engineering design in project development. Elective courses provide an opportunity for deeper study in areas of interest. An important part of the curriculum is the inclusion of professional practice activities such as research experience, teamwork, oral communication and technical writing, and project development. While being sensitive to changes in technology, the curriculum also seeks to prepare students for lifelong learning to enable them to meet future challenges.
A student expecting to major or minor in computer science should enroll in CSCI 111-CSCI 112 in the first year. If credit is given for one or both of these courses, then a student should enroll in CSCI 211 or CSCI 210. A student interested in future graduate studies should complete the two calculus sequences, MATH 131-MATH 132. A student interested in computer hardware is encouraged to select PHYS 210 to meet one of the collegiate science requirements.
Computer Science courses required for the Computer Science degree are available at the Chesapeake and Virginia Beach campuses.
TCC is an Oracle Academic Initiative (OAI) Partner and an authorized Oracle training site. The courses in this program prepare students for the examinations leading to Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) and Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) industry certifications.
TCC is an Oracle Academic Initiative (OAI) Partner and an authorized Oracle training site. The courses in this program prepare students for the examinations leading to Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) and Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) industry certifications.