Computer information systems & computer science

[zeidhaddadin]

Hi all, I'm a second year student in the Computer information system field, I realy still don't know what is the differance between My field and Computer Science.

I mean what can I work when I'm graduated also is computer science better than cis in any way or each one is specialized in something.

I hope to get answers about that, Because I'm a bit confused!, And started to think of changing my field to "CS".

Thanks,
zeid

[thegreatone]

This would be better in the General Developer Forum i think, here in Chit Chat you can only expect answers like "fried sporks are good with roasted spleen"... You have been warned.

As for your question, i'm afraid i cannot help.

[si_the_geek]

Moved

[gigemboy]

Well I have a degree in Information Systems Technology, and there is quite a big difference between that and Computer Science. With a Comp Sci degree you have a heavy courseload of programming and languages. All the basic core subjects that deals specifically with programming, programming theories, programming core concepts that are language inspecific, assembly language, as well as a variety of courses using various languages in order to get you more familiar with them.

Information Systems Technology is more hands-on stuff. You do have some programming classes, but it is not going in the depth that you would if you were comp sci. You learn to use and implement the various technologies instead of going in and programming and creating them. In all of my Information Systems Technology courses, the only hardcore programming we did was using VB6, then switched to .NET when that first came out for a couple classes on the web app and windows app side. There were also lots of database classes, but then again, you were really learning how to use and implement them, not creating the database system from scratch or the backend programming or anything like that for them, which is more for the Comp Sci people.

[sevenhalo]

Without seeing the cirriculum, it's hard to tell you the differences. Typically, colleges have a software path and a hardware path. From the titles, it sounds like CIS is the hardware and CS is the software. If that's the case, it really depends on what you want to do. If you want to program, check out the cirriculum for computer sciences. If you want to maintain and layout systems, stick to CIS.

Programming will (typically) make you more money because you can fit into alot more roles. With that comes more burden on you though. You will be expected to learn things for companies you may have never heard of or thought about dealing with (I would guess roughly 80% of all dba's are 'conned' into this).

Like I said though, without seeing the cirriculums, I can't really tell you which is what path. Either way though, it's up to you on what you want to do. If you just want a job, stick with networking and systems. You can work that 8 to 5 and be relatively successful.

If you want a new way of life, go into programming. This isn't something you can do 8 to 5 and be successful. Everytime you figure something out, 3 more questions will emerge. You'll beat yourself up alot and some nights; you'll go home physically and emotionally drained. But like Nikola Tesla said:
I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success... Such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything.

[Harsh Gupta]

Besides, what Gigemboy and 7Halo quoted, it also depends upon your location. Different countries have different versions and views on the 2 subjects.

[Memnoch1207]

Computer Science is more technical. It focuses more on math, scientific theory, etc...

Information Systems is more business related.

[Al42]

This would be better in the General Developer Forum i think, here in Chit Chat you can only expect answers like "fried sporks are good with roasted spleen"... Sporks (in the US, at least, at Popeyes restaurants) are made of very flimsy plastic, so I don't think they'd fry well. (To be moved to the "useless trivium" forum?)

[zeidhaddadin]

This is my courses program:

01- Digital Logic
02- Discrete Mathematics
03- Theory of Computation
04- Computer skills 1
05- C++ 1
06- C++ 2 (Advanced)
07- Data Structures
08- Visual programming (VB)
09- Java 1
10- Java 2 (Advanced)
11- Multimedia
12- Virtual Reality
13- Computer Assisted Learning
14- Calculus 1
15- Calculus 2
16- Fundamentals Of Information Technology
17- Interpersonal Communication
18- Computer Ethics
19- MIS
20- Descision Support Systems
21- Web Application Development 1
22- Web Application Development 2
23- Web Piublishing
24- Patterns Recognition
25- Machine Learning
26- Artificial Intelligence
27- Modeling And Simulation
28- Expert Systems And Neural Networks
29- Computer Networks 1
30- Natural Language Proccessing
31- Computer Graphics
32- Geographical Information Systems
33- Image Proccessing
34- Human Computer Interaction
35- Algorthims Theory
36- Operation Systems
37- Database Systems
38- Information Systems Security
39- Database Languages And Tools
40- Software Engineering
41- Object Oriented Design
42- Distributed Database
43- System Analysis
44- Principles Of Statistics
45- Quality Management

Hehe it took me too long,, ok the courses in Bold are the courses that I should take them in anyway, But the other I think I should take most of them (But not all of them)

So as Memnoch1207 said that is it more business related, I don' think that it is because I don't study things for business its more to programming and computer stuff (networking,database,security,web, etc) also programming in many languages.

But I realy still don't know what will I work in the future by studing CIS.