Pre-Computer Science, A.A. (General Transfer)

General Education Courses

Select a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work from the General Education course list.  Course work must be selected as directed in the areas below and should be selected based on your transfer requirements (see “Program Elective Courses” section for courses that may also satisfy GRCC General Education Requirements).

General Education Total Credit Hours

30 (minimum)

Program Elective Courses

Select a minimum of four (4) courses from the following. Courses should be selected based on your identified program or major at the 4-year transfer institution that you plan to attend—therefore, you may be able to select more than the minimum of courses required for this section. For assistance, please see a GRCC advisor or faculty member, in addition to viewing the “Transfer Notes” section below. Some courses listed below may also satisfy GRCC General Education Requirements.

• CIS 116 - Introduction to Computer Programming Credit Hours: 3
• CIS 117 - Java Programming I Credit Hours: 3
• CIS 123 - Computer Science I Credit Hours: 4
• CIS 171 - Database Design and Development Credit Hours: 3
• CIS 223 - Computer Science II Credit Hours: 4
• CIS 224 - Introduction to Systems Analysis Credit Hours: 3
• CIS 229 - C# Programming II Credit Hours: 3
• CIS 233 - Network+ Credit Hours: 3
• BA 201 - Business Communication Credit Hours: 3
• BA 209 - Issues in Business Ethics Credit Hours: 3
• BI 101 - General Biology Credit Hours: 4
• BI 117 - General Human Anatomy and Physiology Credit Hours: 4
• BI 151 - Introduction to Cells, Molecules, and Genes Credit Hours: 4
• BI 152 - Biological Diversity Credit Hours: 4
• CHM 130 - General Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
• CHM 131 - General Chemistry I Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
• CHM 140 - General Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4
• CHM 141 - General Chemistry II Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
• COM 131 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking Credit Hours: 3
• EN 249 - Technical Writing Credit Hours: 3
• GL 101 - Introduction to Geology Credit Hours: 4
• GL 104 - Historical Geology Credit Hours: 4
• MA 134 - Calculus with Analytic Geometry II Credit Hours: 5
• MA 245 - Discrete Mathematical Structures Credit Hours: 4
• MA 250 - Linear Algebra Credit Hours: 4
• MA 257 - Differential Equations and Linear Algebra Credit Hours: 4
• MA 215 - Statistics Credit Hours: 4

• OR

• PY 281 - Introduction to Statistics Credit Hours: 4
• PH 125 - College Physics I Credit Hours: 5
• PH 126 - College Physics II Credit Hours: 5
• PH 245 - Calculus Physics I Credit Hours: 5
• PH 246 - Calculus Physics II Credit Hours: 5
• SO 254 - Social Problems Credit Hours: 3
• SO 260 - Race and Ethnicity Credit Hours: 3

•  

• If Transferring to Central Michigan University, you should select CIS 123 , CIS 171 , CIS 223 , COM 131 , MA 245 , MA 250 , and two [2] courses from the following: BI 101 , BI 152 , [CHM 130  and CHM 131 ], [CHM 140  and CHM 141 ], PH 125 , PH 126 , PH 245 , PH 246 .

   

  If Transferring to Western Michigan University, you should select CIS 223 , CIS 229 , COM 131 , MA 250 .

   

  If Transferring to Calvin University, you should select CIS 116 , BI 101 , COM 131 , MA 134 , and at least six [6] credits from the following: [CHM 130  and CHM 131 ], GL 101 , GL 104 , PH 245 , PH 246 .     

                              

  If Transferring to Davenport University, you should select from CIS 117 , CIS 171 , CIS 224 , CIS 229 , CIS 233 , BA 209 , COM 131 , EN 249 , MA 245 , MA 257 , PH 125 , [SO 254  or SO 260 ].

   

  If Transferring to Grand Valley State University, you should select from [CIS 123  and CIS 223 ], BA 201 , COM 131 , MA 245 , MA 134  or MA 250 , MA 215  or PY 281 , and two [2] courses from the following: BI 117 , BI 151 , BI 152 , [CHM 130  and CHM 131 ], [CHM 140  and CHM 141 ], GL 101 , PH 125 , PH 126 , PH 245 , PH 246 .

Open Elective Courses

In addition to the above coursework, you may need to take other GRCC courses to complete your degree. Courses not taken in the “Program Elective Courses” section may be selected here. For maximum transferability, all courses should be selected based on your identified program or major at the 4-year transfer institution that you plan to attend. The number of elective credit hours that you will need to complete this Pre-Major will depend on the number of credit hours that remain in order for you to reach the 60 credits needed to graduate. For assistance in developing an academic plan, please see a GRCC advisor or faculty member.

Total Credit Hours

60

Essential Abilities/Technical Standards

The Grand Rapids Community College Computer Information Systems department has specified essential abilities and technical standards critical to the success of students in any academic program within the Computer Information Systems department. Students must demonstrate these essential abilities to succeed in their program of study. Qualified applicants are expected to meet all admission criteria, and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria. Both are expected to meet the essential abilities and technical standards described below, with or without reasonable accommodations.

1. Essential judgment skills to include: ability to identify, assess, and situations for the purpose of problem solving in the field of Computer Information Systems, and coming to appropriate conclusions and/or course of actions. Essential judgment skills include:
   1. Ability to utilize a set of software applications appropriate for the task
   2. Develop practical solutions to technological problems
   3. Deploy those solutions and provide for their maintenance and administration
      
      
2. Essential physical/neurological functions to include: Behaviors that demonstrate essential neurological and physical functions include, but are not limited to: observation, listening, understanding relationships, writing, and psychomotor abilities consistent with course and program expectations. This includes:
   1. Ability to effectively integrate research methods, appropriate theory, mathematics, and computational technology to analyze and solve problems encountered in the development of technological solutions
      
      
3. Essential communication skills to include: ability to communicate effectively with fellow students and faculty. Skills include verbal, written, and nonverbal abilities as well as information technology skills consistent with effective communication. Specific examples include:
   1. Ability to effectively elicit requirements for a problem requiring the use of computer technology to solve, and the written and oral communication of results to technical and non-technical colleagues and clients.
      
      
4. Essential emotional coping skills: ability to manage potential stressors that accompany tasks necessary to safely engage in the practice of Computer Information Systems work determined by professional standards of practice. Essential emotional coping skills include the ability to work independently and in collaboration with colleagues.
   
   
5. Essential intellectual/conceptual skills to include: ability to measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information in order to be productive and competent in the Computer Information Systems field. This includes:
   
   a. Ability to effectively integrate research methods, appropriate theory, mathematics, and computational technology to analyze and solve problems encountered in the development of technological solutions.
   
   b. Ability to assimilate new methodologies and advances in computer technology in an ever-evolving discipline.
   
   
6. Other essential behavioral attributes: ability to engage in activities relevant to the Computer Information Systems field without demonstrated behaviors of addiction to, abuse of, or dependence on, alcohol or other drugs that may impair behavior or judgment. The student must demonstrate responsibility and accountability for actions as a student in the Computer Information Systems department and as a developing professional in the field of Computer Information Systems consistent with accepted standards of practice. Finally, the student must be able to integrate the ethical standards of the profession and their professional knowledge and skills to contribute to society.

Grand Rapids Community College strives to be more than ADA compliant. We strive to be accessible and welcoming to all students of all abilities. After reviewing the Essential Abilities/Technical Standards for this program; your responsibilities as a student entail determining if you can complete all associated coursework either:

1. With Accommodation. I am otherwise qualified to meet the same academic standards as any other student entering the program. However, based on a medically documented condition or diagnosis, I would qualify for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). I will meet with Disability Support Services on campus to arrange those accommodations in an interactive process with the department of Computer Information Systems.
   
   
2. Without Accommodation. I am able to complete the program without need for reasonable accommodation or modification. In the event my medical documentation reveals otherwise or a condition manifests that would necessitate an accommodation; it is my responsibility to inform a responsible authority figure within the department of Computer Information Systems and work with Disability Support Services to see if a reasonable accommodation or modification can be made.

If you have a medically documented condition or diagnosis, please contact the Computer Information Systems office, or contact Disability Support Services (DSS) at disability@grcc.edu or by phone at 616.234.4140 to arrange accommodations through our interactive process.