Computer Science vs Information Technology Major

[Moose]

What seems more appealing to you? Right now I think I am sticking with the Computer Science major, but Information Technology is very tempting. Information Technology seems to be more business oriented and have more client interaction than Computer Science. Computer Science is more based upon the theory and application of the science of computers as well as more programming. What do you think? Can someone give me a detailed overview of both?

[infestor1]

Well, i don't know much about this, but computer science sounds good.

[Mithras]

I like the theory behind everything... that's why I want to go into Computer Science. I think my cousin went into Information Technology (or maybe it was Information Science, but it sounds like the same thing), and now she has more of a managerial position. She works more with the marketing and other non-programming departments to get the product ready to launch and sell to the clients.

[The Dark Knight]

I would have picked Computer Science. It's a technical field, and it doesn't involve any management with dumbass people.

[Corrupt]

Mar 30, 2008 19:38:21 GMT -8 infestor1 said:

Well, i don't know much about this, but computer science sounds good.

Agreed, anything where you dont have to deal with customers is a good thing

Plus, your creating new tech with the computer science, where as your just using what someone else created with the IT

[Mithras]

No matter what tech related field you go in to, the real money is in management. After 10 - 15 years you're probably not going to be coding much.

[BFD]

Mar 31, 2008 2:57:08 GMT -8 Mithras said:

maybe it was Information Science, but it sounds like the same thing

From what I understand, Information Science is a completely separate field. It is more of a mathematical/organization system discipline.

On the point of which one to pick, it really depends on you. In my opinion, if you want a sustainable carreer designing and implementing systems, then Computer Science is the way to go. Most of the Information Technology or Management Information Systems programs I have seen go too deep into technical details of the current tools and/or brush shallowly on too many topics. With the IT programs, you will get into the job market faster, but won't have the underlying theory that will help you transition to newly emerging technologies. With the MIS programs, you will most likely earn more money, but you won't really be building anything.

Personally, I went the computer science route, and am perfectly happy with it.

[Former Member]

Computer Science.

[(¯`•DregondRahl•._)]

Information Technology
By learning some business and coding side, combining them is better, you'll be able to design for money and eventually switch to being more business oriented for software firms.

[Charles Stover]

Computer Science: software
Information Technology: hardware

Ain't it? IT probably pays more, but CS is more fun.

[Simie]

I would have thought it was the other way round. Computer Science is all of computing, IT is more the business side of things...

[BFD]

Jun 30, 2009 9:52:04 GMT -8 Charles Stover said:

Computer Science: software
Information Technology: hardware.

Not really, at least at the schools I went to. Information Technology focused on current implementations of both hardware and software, whereas Computer Science focused on the theory. Although most hardware theory as it applied to computers was covered in the electrical engineering programs, computer science did delve into hardware architectures

I also believe you are off course on the pay issue as well. In my experience, IT degrees put you into the job market faster, but primarily at technician type positions, which may pay decent at first, but there is little room for advancement. Computer Science gives you a lot more flexibility in terms of where your career can go.

Jun 30, 2009 13:21:16 GMT -8 Simie said:

I would have thought it was the other way round. Computer Science is all of computing, IT is more the business side of things...

At least in the old days when I was in school, neither IT or Computer Science emphasized the business side...that was reserved for Management Information Science majors.

[jadw2k9]

I'm doing Computer Science and I definately prefer it over the more business-orientated Information Technology. In CS you get to go deeper into actually making stuff that's useful as opposed to worrying about marketing stuff or learning business practices.

I also sus[ect there's huge competition for business-like jobs. You will also need good presentation and groupwork skills. With CS, those don't really matter. Instead, you need to utilise problem solving and design skills.

[jadw2k9]

Jun 30, 2009 9:52:04 GMT -8 Charles Stover said:

Computer Science: software
Information Technology: hardware

Ain't it? IT probably pays more, but CS is more fun.

Not quite. CS gets very involved with hardware too. Some modules include OS manipulation and how switches/logic gates/RAM/etc works.