Computer Information Systems (CIS-BS), B.S.

Location(s): Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Petoskey, Sidney, Traverse City, Ferris Main Campus

Bachelor of Science

The Computer Information Systems (CIS) degree at Ferris State University prepares students to become professionals who can connect core business functions with the problem-solving capabilities of computers and information systems. Using the latest technology, students learn to design, develop, implement, and maintain information systems that help solve real-world business problems and power organizations. In addition to their CIS major, students take business courses that give them a good understanding of the business world that they will work. Students will also develop people skills, which sets them apart from their competitors and positions them to be future business leaders. This program has close relationships with the IT industry through a program advisory board and requires internships as a practical hands-on experience.

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP). (https://acbsp.org/)

Program Outcomes

Students will design and implement a system in accordance with designated system specifications within a project management framework.
Students will analyze user requirements and design, create, and manage a database.
Students will design, develop, and test algorithms to meet user requirements.
Students will effectively use the appropriate communication tools in the allocation, monitoring, and measurement of resources to achieve project objectives within a team environment.

Admission Requirements

New Student Admission Requirements

2.50 High School GPA (on a 4.00 scale)

SAT Scores Two of the Three Criteria:
1. ERW SAT score of 450 or higher.
2. Math SAT score of 500 or higher. Placement in MATH 109 or MATH 110 will be considered (Math SAT score of 480 or higher).
3. Composite SAT of 900 or higher.
ACT ScoresTwo of the Three Criteria:
1. English ACT score of 16 or higher.
2. Math ACT score of 19 or higher.
3. Reading ACT score of 19 or higher.

Transfer Student Admission Requirements

Combined college or university GPA of 2.35 (on a 4.00 scale) from all institutions attended. GPA based on completion of 12 credit hours or more.
The degree completion program at a statewide and online location requires 48 transferable semester credits to be admitted.
Transfer equivalency for Ferris State University’s ENGL 150 or placement during the first semester at Ferris State University which would require an English ACT score of 16 or higher; or ERW SAT score of 450 or higher; or English Accuplacer score of 6 or higher.
Transfer equivalency for Ferris State University’s MATH 114 or MATH 115 or placement during the first semester at Ferris State University which would require a Math ACT score of 19 or higher; Math SAT of 500 or higher; or Math Accuplacer scores: Elementary Algebra score 75 or higher and College Level Math 0 to 49.

University Requirements - 39 to 41 Credits Required

First Year Seminar Requirement (FSUS 100 or Equivalent) - 0 to 1 Credit Required

All First-Time-In-Any-College Freshmen (FTIACs) must complete a one-credit FSUS 100 course, or its equivalent. Additional information and the definition of FTIAC for FSUS purposes can be found in the: Ferris State University Academic Affairs FSUS Policy

University General Education Requirements - 39 to 40 Credits Required

Courses in this section are required to satisfy the University General Education Requirements for a bachelor’s degree. The University General Education requirements can be found on the: Ferris State University General Education Requirements Webpage

Communication Competency - 12 Credits Required (or Their Equivalent)

COMM 121 - Fundamentals-Public Speaking Credit Hours: 3
ENGL 150 - English 1 Credit Hours: 3
ENGL 250 - English 2 Credit Hours: 3
Choose 1 of 2
ENGL 311 - Advanced Technical Writing Credit Hours: 3
ENGL 325 - Advanced Business Writing Credit Hours: 3

Quantitative Literacy Competency - 3 to 4 Credits Required (or Their Equivalent)

Choose 1 of 5
MATH 114 - Quantitative Reason for Pro 2 Credit Hours: 4
MATH 115 - Intermediate Algebra Credit Hours: 3
Official Pre-2016 Math SAT Score of 560 or Higher
Official Post-2016 Math SAT Score of 580 or Higher
Official Math ACT Score of 24 or Higher

Natural Sciences Competency - 6 Credits Required

Two courses are required with a minimum of 6 credits: must have at least one lab course.

Culture Competency - 9 Credits Required

Three courses are required with a minimum of 9 credits: must be from two different disciplines, have at least one 200 level or higher course, and have no more than 5 credits from Cultural Competency Activities.

Self and Society Competency - 9 Credits Required

Three courses are required with a minimum of 9 credits: must be from two different disciplines and have at least one 200 level or higher course.

ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit Hours: 3
ECON 202 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit Hours: 3

United States (U.S.) Diversity Competency - 1 Course Required

If not met by courses taken for Culture Competency, Self and Society Competency, or Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), a student must have one course with the United States (U.S.) Diversity attribute. Some courses include both Global and United States (U.S.) Diversity attributes.

Global Diversity Competency - 1 Course Required

If not met by courses taken for Culture Competency, Self and Society Competency, or Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), a student must have one course with the Global Diversity attribute. Some courses include both Global and United States (U.S.) Diversity attributes.

Collaboration Competency - Courses Required Met in College Requirements

If not met by courses taken in the College Requirements section, a student must have two courses with the Collaboration attribute. Some courses include both Collaboration and Problem Solving attributes.

ISYS 431 - Systems Analysis and Design 2 Credit Hours: 3 (Offered Fall Only) (Met in College Requirements)
ISYS 489 - Senior Capstone Credit Hours: 3 (Offered Spring Only) (Met in College Requirements)

Problem Solving Competency - Courses Required Met in College Requirements

If not met by courses taken in the College Requirements section, a student must have two courses with the Problem Solving attribute. Some courses include both Collaboration and Problem Solving attributes.

ISYS 431 - Systems Analysis and Design 2 Credit Hours: 3 (Offered Fall Only) (Met in College Requirements)
ISYS 489 - Senior Capstone Credit Hours: 3 (Offered Spring Only) (Met in College Requirements)

College Requirements - 84 Credits Required

Business Core Requirements - 30 Credits Required

These courses are used to calculate the core 2.00 GPA requirement.

ACCT 201 - Princ. of Financial Accounting Credit Hours: 3
ACCT 202 - Princ of Managerial Accounting Credit Hours: 3
STQM 260 - Introduction to Statistics Credit Hours: 3
MGMT 301 - Applied Management Credit Hours: 3
BLAW 321 - Contracts and Sales Credit Hours: 3
MKTG 321 - Principles of Marketing Credit Hours: 3
MGMT 370 - Quality-Operations Mgmt Credit Hours: 3
FINC 322 - Financial Management 1 Credit Hours: 3
ISYS 321 - Business Information Systems Credit Hours: 3
BUSN 499 - Integrating Experience Credit Hours: 3

Major Courses - 54 Credits Required

These courses are used to calculate the major 2.00 GPA requirement.

ISYS 110 - Fund of Prog Design and Logic Credit Hours: 3
ISYS 188 - Web Design and Development Credit Hours: 3
ISYS 216 - Intro to Programming Credit Hours: 3
ISYS 221 - Mobile Application Development Credit Hours: 3 (Offered Fall Only)
ISYS 272 - Fundamentals of Database Systems Credit Hours: 3
ISYS 288 - Web Application Development Credit Hours: 3 (Offered Spring Only)
ISYS 316 - Advanced Programming Credit Hours: 3 (Offered Spring Only)
PROJ 320 - Proj Management Fundamentals Credit Hours: 3
ISYS 327 - Operating Sys & Network Essent Credit Hours: 3 (Offered Fall Only)
ISYS 330 - Systems Analysis and Design 1 Credit Hours: 3 (Offered Spring Only)
ISYS 372 - Adv Database Systems Admin Credit Hours: 3 (Offered Fall Only)
ISYS 431 - Systems Analysis and Design 2 Credit Hours: 3 (Offered Fall Only)
ISYS 482 - Enterprise Integration & BPD Credit Hours: 3
ISYS 489 - Senior Capstone Credit Hours: 3 (Offered Spring Only)
ISYS 491 - CIS Internship Credit Hours: 1 TO 6 (Must Have Completion of 60 Credits)
Directed Elective Credit Hours: 3 (Advisor Approval)
Directed Elective Credit Hours: 3 (Advisor Approval)
Directed Elective Credit Hours: 3 (Advisor Approval)

Notes

Students who return to the university after an interrupted enrollment, not including summer semester, must normally meet the requirements of the curriculum which are in effect at the time of their return, not the requirements which were in effect when they were originally admitted.
It is strongly recommended that each student obtains advisor approval before selecting directed elective courses in the Major Courses section to avoid possible conflicts.
Example elective courses can include a mix of programming courses, network courses, transferred courses from another program or institution, another program’s minor, or other related Ferris State University academic program courses that provide skills necessary for managing or supporting IT resources.
Computer Information Systems students must be able to demonstrate competency in ISYS 105 topics or take ISYS 105 .
Credit Variance - Credits required may vary based on course placement, prerequisites, etc. If you have questions, contact your advisor.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from Ferris State University, students must meet both University and Programmatic Graduation Requirements.

University Graduation Requirements

These are the minimum graduation requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Ferris State University:

All requirements as specified in the University Requirements section must be met.
A minimum of 120 credits must be earned.
A 2.00 or higher cumulative Ferris State University GPA is required.
A minimum of 30 credits must be earned from Ferris State University to meet the Residency requirement.
A minimum of 40 credits of 300 level or higher courses must be earned.

Programmatic Graduation Requirements

These are the additional graduation requirements mandated by the program:

All requirements as specified in the College Requirements section must be met.
A 2.00 or higher cumulative GPA is required in the Business Core Requirements section.
A 2.00 or higher cumulative GPA is required in the Major Courses section.
Credits that are not a part of a completed degree, either from Ferris State University or transfer, that are older than 10 years will not be counted toward the courses in the College Requirements section. Exceptions to this rule may be considered by petitioning the program coordinator.