[David English]  The strength of the Casino Gaming Certificate program is that it is a one year program, 22 credit hours.  It is part of the computer repair program.  In fact all the courses directly apply to that program if they want to transfer.

[James Lydon] Continue education out of the first year, if they choose to do it, would lead to an associates of applied science, an AAS degree from us in computer repair technology.  
   
[David English]  The ECC degree, the two year degree in computer repair technology, is applied to Buffalo State as an articulation agreement in that all the courses directly transfer, as well as many other SUNY schools.  Any SUNY schools that are involved with technology will accept our degree program as full first year.  

[David English]  A student will take a course in basic math, a course in basic electronics, soldiering skills, electric safety, a course in computer logic, a course in the actual machine themselves, on the official poker machines, as well as the slot machines, a course in touch-screen technology.  All these course directly apply to the end result which is understand the machines, how they work.  

[James Lydon]  The environment that we encourage is to keep the classes relatively small, especially when we are doing labs we like to keep them small.  We like to have one-on-one with the equipment, at most two on one.  The environment that we provide, we try diligently to take and get the students involved and talking, laughing and having a good time because that is how we feel that is when they learn the best.      

[David English]  Primarily the students that do well in the program, both our programs, are those that like to solve problems, like to use mathematics and science to solve a problem based on troubleshooting skills.  

[James Lydon]  Relatively strong algebra level, math background is an advantage and a must really.  As far as mechanical knowledge, you don't need any. 

[David English]  Students in the Casino Gaming certificate program have been placed all over the state and other states as well.  Students have been placed in Virginia, we have had one job offer in Russia, for example.  They work in raceinos, they work in casinos and they also work in other venues; atm machine repair, etc.  All machines related to the same technology
  
[James Lydon]  Once you are done with this one year course, people have successfully gone out into the industry both with the Seneca Indian Nation, directly with Bally's and with IGT.

[David English]  Optics are?  ... lighter.

[David English]  On leaving the certificate program students have a very good knowledge of basic electronic technology skills, preparing them for almost anything in electronics.