Computer Networking & Infrastructure Engineering

Students in the B.S. Computer Networking and Information Technology program have a dedicated high-tech lab with collaborative work spaces and video monitors. All the wiring and cables are hidden in a subfloor space. The lab includes a data center with about $1 million worth of equipment — 7-foot-tall sleek, black racks of industry-standard servers and routers.

With guidance from professionals at the companies, students are trying to help them solve networking and security issues. The collaborations involve weekly updates, a white paper report, a live demo of a solution and a final presentation.

The companies, which are free to implement students’ recommendations, are Heartland Business Systems, Marshfield Clinic, Menards, Target and Dell.

Sam Wosika, of White Bear Lake, Minn., a CNIT senior, is the program teaching assistant this year. He is helping coordinate use of the data center by the capstone class.

“To have the dedicated lab classrooms is a definite improvement,” Wosika said. “I spend a lot of time here. This is truly hands-on learning. We’re actually touching the equipment.”

Wosika likes other aspects of the CNIT program, which is largely lab-based learning, such as the internship opportunities and connections to industry. He has had two internships and will have a third one this summer with Cisco in San Jose, Calif.

The four new labs, with team work stations and other networking equipment beyond the data center, are in rooms 176, 188, 192 and 193 of Micheels Hall. They replace smaller, older labs in Fryklund Hall.

The equipment in each lab matches the lab’s level of instruction: year 1-2 students, year 2-3 students, year 3-4 students and year 4-capstone students.

2019 USICC Collegiate Conference 

At the U.S. Information Technology Collegiate Conference held April 4-6, 2019 in Galveston, Texas, the team of Luke Bednar and Karl Carey won the network design competition, topping 33 other teams. UW-Stout also took third place in network design, with the team of Nikki Ruf and Derek Muck. 

Faculty & Student Achievement

• 2017 AITP Collegiate
• 2016 AITP Collegiate
• 2015 AITP Collegiate
• 2014 AITP Collegiate

The CNIT program follows UW-Stout's unique hands-on, active learning approach.  You will take courses in emerging fields such as virtualization, unified communication, information security, IP telephony, and wireless networking. 

The CNIT program focuses on:

• Cybersecurity and Cyber defense
• Enterprise Network Infrastructure Setup, Maintenance and Troubleshooting
• Server Installation, Configuration and Administration
• Network System Design
• Ethical Hacking and Network Security
• Linux Systems and Network Administration
• IP Telephony (VoIP)
• Wireless System
• Virtualization and Cloud Computing
• Unified Communication and Collaboration

The Computer Networking and Information Technology program will prepare you to:

• Communicate clearly, ethically, and responsibly, both verbally and in writing.
• Apply business and management techniques and processes.
• Evaluate emerging information technologies and their impact.
• Design, implement, administer, and analyze information technology systems.
• Integrate network security into the installation of networks, as well as business practices, policies, and user education.
• Solve business problems and enhance productivity using information technology.

CNIT Students Can Earn Certifications

Certifications are a great way to show IT industry employers that you are up to date and knowledgeable on the current topics. CNIT is a Cisco Certified Networking Academy and a Microsoft Certified IT Academy. We are an authorized Pearson VUE and Thompson Prometric Testing Center. Numerous classes are embedded with industry certification examinations. The courses are taught by CNIT faculty members holding advanced IT industry certifications. As a CNIT student, you have the opportunity to earn the following certifications:  

• AWS Solution Architect Associate (AWS-SAA)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
• Microsoft Certified Solution Associate (MCSA)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate – Voice (CCNA-Voice)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate – Security (CCNA-Security)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate – Wireless (CCNA-Wireless)
• Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)

Advisory Committee Members