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Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Computer Science to Graduate Certificate in Vehicle Cyber Engineering (BSCS to Grad Cert VCE)
Description
The College of Engineering & Science offers a combined Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) - Graduate Certificate in Vehicle Cyber Engineering (VCE) program.
In order to complete both the BSCS degree and the VCE certificate in less than five years, the student must a) be very well prepared as an incoming freshman, ready to take our engineering foundation courses, b) satisfy all the admission criteria (see below), and c) maintain a 3.25 GPA in order to take graduate level courses while still an undergraduate student.
Program Learning Outcomes
Admission Into the Program
Qualifications for the Accelerated Engineering program for new freshmen:
- A minimum ACT composite score of 26, with a minimum of 22 in each section, and a minimum of 23 in the Mathematics section. Or minimum SAT scores: 560 Mathematics, 560 ERW, and 1230 combined.
- With ACT/SAT scores above: a high school grade point average of 3.4 overall on a 4.0 point scale, and the same for the combined mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology courses.
- Without ACT/SAT scores: a high school grade point average of 3.6 overall on a 4.0 point scale, and the same for the combined mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology courses.
- Students must place into appropriate-level freshmen courses at Detroit Mercy in order to be able to complete the bachelor's degree in four calendar years.
Qualifications for the Accelerated Engineering program for current Detroit Mercy students and transfer students:
- Students complete an application form reviewed by the department, graduate program director, and Deans’ Office.
- Students must have a GPA of at least 3.25.
- Students should be on track to complete their undergraduate degree in four years. (Students who may take longer should consult with their financial aid counselor and be aware a separate application may be required to extend undergraduate financial aid beyond four years.)
If accepted into the program, junior/senior students may take up to six graduate credits from the required courses of the Graduate Certificate in Vehicle Cyber Engineering that will count towards both undergraduate and graduate requirements. If room permits in a student's schedule and an appropriate course is available, a third graduate course may be taken under the Senior Privilege rule.
After completing the bachelor's degree, students will be registered as graduate students to complete the graduate certificate. These courses will be charged at the graduate tuition rate.
To remain in the program, undergraduate students must maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA at Detroit Mercy and be progressing steadily toward graduation.
Advantages
- Reduction in the total number of courses and less time required to get both the bachelor's degree and graduate certificate (students may count six credits towards both undergraduate and graduate requirements)
- Ability to take up to three graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate
The graduate courses, taken during the undergraduate program that can also be applied toward the undergraduate degree requirements, must be approved by your academic advisor. Students must receive a grade of "C" or better in order to earn credits toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Degree Requirements for BSCS and Grad Cert VCE
The course requirements for the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Computer Science to Graduate Certificate in Vehicle Cyber Engineering include 124 credits of undergraduate course work (recommended 126 credits, see note below on technical electives) and 15 credits of graduate coursework. Six credits taken at the graduate level will be double-counted towards the undergraduate degree. The course requirements are based on the current existing requirements for each program separately. Please review separate catalog pages for BS in Computer Science and Graduate Certificate in Vehicle Cyber Engineering for degree requirements.
Additional information for the BSCS degree as part of this accelerated program:
To complete both credentials in the shortest amount of time, students in this program should select the following Technical Electives (note: this adds two additional credits compared to the typical BSCS requirements):
- Technical Elective I: ELEE 2500 and ELEE 2510 Fundamentals of Electrical & Computer Engineering I and Lab (4 credits)
- Technical Elective II: ELEE 3860 and ELEE 3870 Introduction to Microcontrollers and Lab (4 credits)
- Technical Elective III: Graduate course for the Graduate Certificate in VCE as determined with an advisor
In place of CSSE 4540, students should take the graduate version, CSSE 5545 Advanced Computer Security.
Program Contact Information
Shadi Banitaan, Ph.D.
Director, Computer Science/Software Engineering
Office: Engineering 321
Telephone: 313-993-1163
Email: banitash@udmercy.edu
Paul Spadafora
Director of Professional Engineering Programs & Industry Liaison
Office: Engineering 208
Telephone: 313-993-1603
Email: spadafpa@udmercy.edu