Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about frequently asked questions for Applied Computer Science, M.S.:
Courses
1. When are classes offered?
Our CIS graduate courses are offered in the evening (6-9 p.m.) one day a week.
2. Where are classes held?
All our graduate courses are offered at the downtown Pew Campus in Grand Rapids, not at the Allendale campus.
3. What is CIS 699 Directed Readings in Computer Science?
CIS 699 is meant as an avenue for students to explore topics outside of what is offered in class. Typically, a student will approach a professor and express interest in pursuing a given topic. The student and professor will then develop a plan of study for the semester. Students contemplating taking CIS 699 should approach a professor several weeks before the semester begins in order to allow time to start the discussion and paperwork process. CIS 699 is not meant for everyone. Only those that have shown outstanding ability in a course will be allowed to undertake CIS 699.
4. What is the minimum grade requirement for courses?
According to the catalog (https://gvsu.edu/catalog)..."Graduate credit will be awarded for grades of C (2.0) or better. This includes all graduate coursework... Grades below C will figure in a student's GPA, but the credits will not count toward the degree."
5. What order do I need to take courses?
Prerequisites for courses can be found in the online catalog.
6. In what semesters are the graduate courses taught?
We typically offer courses according to the following table.
NOTE: This information is based on historical course offering trends, and is NOT a guarantee of future offering.
Fall Courses
CIS 500 Fundamentals of Computer Science
CIS 611 Introduction to Software Engineering
CIS 615 Information Security Principles
CIS 616 Data Security and Privacy
CIS 617 Digital Forensics and Investigations
CIS 618 Secure Software Engineering
CIS 623 Graphical User Interface Design
CIS 641 Systems Analysis and Design
CIS 643 Information Systems Policy
CIS 656 Distributed Systems
CIS 661 Introduction to Medical and Bioinformatics
CIS 665 Clinical Information Systems
CIS 673 Principles of Database Design
CIS 677 High-performance Computing
CIS 679 Advances in Database Management Systems
CIS 690 Master's Thesis Research
CIS 693 Master's Project
CIS 695 Master's Thesis
Winter Courses
CIS 501 Fundamentals of Modern Computer Systems
CIS 612 Requirements Specification
CIS 613 Software Testing
CIS 616 Data Security and Privacy
CIS 617 Digital Forensics and Investigations
CIS 618 Secure Software Engineering
CIS 622 Software Design Methodologies
CIS 635 Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining
CIS 642 Software Project Management
CIS 654 Computer Networking
CIS 658 Web Architectures
CIS 660 Information Management and Science
CIS 661 Introduction to Medical and Bioinformatics
CIS 671 Information Visualization
CIS 676 Database Management Systems
CIS 678 Machine Learning
CIS 690 Master's Thesis Research
CIS 693 Master's Project
CIS 695 Master's Thesis
Summer Courses
Potentially, any course can be offered in the summer, depending on faculty willingness to teach and student demand. However, the follow courses are only offered in Summers:
CIS 657 Mobile Application Development
CIS 672 Computer Systems Architecture (odd years)
CIS 675 Compiler Construction (even years)
Project and Theses
1. Will I be required to complete a capstone project or thesis?
All Master's students are required to complete a capstone project or thesis. Review our Project-Thesis Comparison Guide to determine which is the best fit for you.