Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Pre-Computer Information Systems, A.A. (General Transfer)


Academic Program Code:  450

The Computer Information Systems Pre-Major is designed for students who plan to transfer to a college or university as a junior to complete a Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems.  A Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems prepares students to apply practical applications of technology to support organizations that use computers to organize and process information.  This includes database management, networking, software design, and systems analysis.

This degree allows students to select specific courses that are equivalent to those offered in the freshman and sophomore years at four-year institutions. Transfer institutions may have specific admissions requirements or require particular courses be taken as part of the A.A. degree, both within general education and electives. Students who plan to transfer are responsible for completing the admission requirements of the transfer institution.

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).

English Composition and Communications


Humanities


Select two (2) Humanities General Education Electives from two (2) different subject areas.  Only one (1) Foreign Language course can be used for the Humanities requirement.

Social Sciences


Select two (2) Social Sciences General Education Electives from two (2) different subject areas and should be selected based on your transfer requirements (see “Program Elective Courses” section for courses that may also satisfy GRCC General Education Requirements).

Natural Sciences and Mathematics


Natural Sciences


Select two (2) Natural Sciences General Education Electives from two (2) different subject areas; one (1) must be a lab.

Mathematics


Select one (1) Mathematics General Education Elective.

General Education Total Credit Hours


30 (minimum)

Program Elective Courses


Select a minimum of three (3) 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.

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

Transfer Notes


Select the elective courses for this program based on the course requirements of the Computer Information Systems program at the 4-year institution you plan to transfer to.

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.