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2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Combined Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Master of Science in Applied Computer Science

Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to a combined bachelor's/master's program and obtain both a B.S. in computer science and an M.S. in applied computer science within an accelerated time frame. Students admitted to this program will count up to 12 credits of graduate work in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the undergraduate degree. After completing 120 credits and all requirements for the bachelor's degree, students are awarded a bachelor's degree. A minimum of 21 graduate credits must be completed after the 120 credits of the bachelor's degree. All other master's degree requirements must be met, including a graduate Capstone.

Admission

We encourage students to apply for the combined B.S./M.S. program in their second year. It is also possible to apply in the third year, but students in their fourth year typically do not receive the benefits of the combined program.

Application requirements include:

  • Overall GPA of 3.25 or greater
  • Student must have been admitted to the computer science program
  • 60 hours of academic credit have been completed or are in progress
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Academic transcripts (unofficial transcripts are allowable)

Admission decisions will be made by the school admissions committee based on the student's previous academic success in the School of Computing, as indicated by GPA and grades in the foundation CS courses, as well as potential success in the graduate program, as indicated by the letters of recommendation, and the student's letter of intent. Decisions will typically be communicated to students within four weeks of submitting a complete application to the combined degree program.

Requirements

During Undergraduate Studies

All university requirements, including general education courses, must be completed before the final (graduate) year of the combined B.S./M.S. program. In the final undergraduate year, students will normally take nine credits of graduate-level courses. If any courses are dual-listed, students in the combined B.S./M.S. program must complete all assignments expected of graduate students and they will be evaluated in the same way as graduate students.

  • Students will be considered undergraduates for tuition, academic requirements, and financial aid purposes until all requirements for the undergraduate degree are completed. Following this they will be considered graduate students, will pay graduate tuition, and will be eligible for graduate financial aid.
  • The school has identified courses that students may use to satisfy both undergraduate and graduate program requirements. Up to 12 credits can be dual counted. Students are strongly encouraged to work with their undergraduate advisor and the graduate program director for ACS to ensure all undergraduate and graduate requirements are met.
  • The list of courses can be found at http://gvsu.edu/s/2fw

During Graduate Studies

A student shall be considered a graduate student for all purposes upon fulfillment of one of the following events: the award of a baccalaureate degree, the completion of 12 graduate credit hours, or at the request of the graduate program director with the approval of the academic dean.

Graduation Without Completion of the Program

If a student decides at some point to pursue only the undergraduate portion of the combined degree, the school will still recognize the graduate courses taken in lieu of undergraduate courses. Credit from the undergraduate degree cannot be used toward a graduate degree at a later date.

Please note that awarding of the B.S. in computer science requires a Capstone course, either CIS 467 or CIS 693, or both CIS 690 and CIS 695. Awarding of the M.S. in applied computer science requires a graduate Capstone course: CIS 693, or both CIS 690 and CIS 695.

Suggested Order of Coursework

This sample order of coursework assumes that students will complete the ACS foundation and general education courses with the help of their advisor and apply for undergraduate admission at the end of the winter semester of their second year. The following course sequence also assumes a strong mathematics background for the entering student. If mathematics deficiencies exist, completing the mathematics prerequisites should be the student's top priority.

Note: This is only one of many possible sequences of courses. Students are strongly encouraged to work with the graduate program director in CIS to ensure all undergraduate and graduate requirements are met, and to customize the combined program to their areas of interest.

The sequence as follows makes no attempt to minimize credit load. For example, the sequence assumes that all general education courses are distinct, and no "double dipping" is done.

Year One

No change from CS sample curriculum (33 credits).

Year Two

No change from CS sample curriculum (30 credits).

Year Three

Includes 21 undergraduate credits and six graduate credits (27 credits).

Year Four

Includes 18 to 21 undergraduate credits and nine graduate credits (27 to 30 credits).

Year Five

Includes 18 graduate credits.

Credits

Undergraduate credits that count toward B.S.

102 to 105 credits

Graduate credits that count toward B.S. and M.S.

12 credits

Graduate credits that count toward M.S.

21 credits

Total Credits

135 to 138 credits

If you are in need of assistance please submit any questions or comments.