The University of California, Irvine Extension announces the availability of a new eight-week online course titled "Cloud Computing," beginning Monday, April 12. The course was created to arm participants with an advanced level of knowledge and hands-on experience in understanding, designing and implementing a cloud-based software system. According to a new report by Forrester Research, Inc., there will be an expected 6.6 percent increase in U.S. IT spending in 2010. With this greater demand for IT needs, this course, along with others in UC Irvine Extension's engineering, sciences and information technology program, will provide the skills needed to respond to transforming business needs.
"Cloud computing provides a way for companies to cost-effectively maintain and implement their IT platforms," says Dr. Dave Dimas, director of UC Irvine Extension's engineering, sciences and information technology programs. "As this industry grows, we feel it is important for UC Irvine Extension to offer an easily accessible and content-rich online course."
Cloud computing refers to a network that distributes processing power, applications and large systems among many computers. The "Cloud Computing" course will provide students with current industry techniques and practices, outline future challenges and survey applications deployed by Amazon, Google and Microsoft. Through the exploration of these services, participants will build an understanding of cloud computing models, techniques and architectures, and its application by providers in delivering common business functions such as data storage, computing resources and messaging online.
"Having worked in software development and architecture for the past 24 years, it is easy to understand the reluctance of businesses to adapt new technologies," says Mustafa Seifi, course instructor. "The knowledge and experience acquired in the participation of this course will enable students to navigate their business into a cloud computing arrangement with increased understanding and confidence."
To register for "Cloud Computing," please visit http://unex.uci.edu or call 949-824-5414.
About UC Irvine Extension
As the continuing education arm of UCI, UC Irvine Extension is dedicated to providing a university-level learning experience for students, offering thousands of exciting courses and programs to local, regional, and global constituencies via online curriculum as well as through on campus classes. For more information, please visit www.extension.uci.edu.
About the University of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine is a top-ranked university dedicated to research, scholarship and community service. Founded in 1965, UCI is among the fastest-growing University of California campuses, with more than 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students and about 1,400 faculty members. For more UCI news, visit www.today.uci.edu.
