Starting college soon... Should I go with a BS in CS or IS 1

[Allan317]

I stumbled across this forum while doing an internet search, and most of the users seem to be knowledgable and friendly. I'm starting college soon, (North Georgia College and State University (senior military college) ) and want to major in either Computer Science or Computer Information Systems with a minor in Business administration. Could someone tell me the difference between the computer information systems degree and an MIS degree.(management information systems) My father worked for a major department store designing their credit system which is why I am so interested in computers. I don't necessarily want to design apps or hardware, but am more interested in maintaining computer systems and solving everyday problems. I'd appreciate everyones opinions on these degrees and the pros and cons of each. Thanks

 

[wvajenm]

My suggestion would be to look at the required classes for completing that degree and decide how that fits with what you are interested in. I have a masters in management of information systems, and it seems to me that in that program we dealt with a lot of concept level stuff, rather than actual hands-on, here's how you troubleshoot a pc, here's how you troubleshoot a network issue. And bear in mind that this was a master's program, where they assume you've already done some of the other work, so a BS program could be completely different. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[dkediger]

Generally, the CS oriented programs will be technical in nature and delve into the guts of computer systems; programming in particular and hardware and networking to a lesser extent.

IS oriented tends to be more business-case oriented; how do you apply technology to a business process, how do you measure progress, etc.

You'll likely find them housed in different colleges of the university as well. CS tends to be under the mathematics or engineering colleges while IS tends towards the business colleges.

As the previous advice stated, look at the course requirements for each degree to get a general feel of the land.

 

[kHz]

You need to study the curriculum of both to get an idea of the classes offered. But they should generally be along the same track. Computer Information Systems just happens to be in the Computer Science department while Management Information Systems lives in the Business department. The most major difference would be computer science against both CIS and MIS. I would surmise that CIS has a few more CS-type classes while MIS has more business-type classes.

Algorithms (CIS) vs. Accounting (MIS). Your advisor can direct you better than anyone here if you discuss it with her/him. That's what they are there for (or should be).

 

[chiph]

but am more interested in maintaining computer systems and solving everyday problems.

Take a look at the curriculum and see if anything interests you. But it sounds like what you're wanting is a Computer Technology degree (typically an Associates level, not a Bachelors). These are the folks who maintain the systems that other people (with CS or IS degrees) design & build. The jobs are usually lower-paying, and lower prestige.

My advice: don't sell yourself short -- take a serious look at the CS or IS programs to see if it's something you'd be interested in. If not, then go for the technology degree.

If you do decide to go for a Bachelors, make sure the school is accredited via the CSAB (

http://www.csab.org).

It'll make getting your first post-school job easier.

Chip H.


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[Allan317]

Thanks for all the responses. Yes, I definitely do want a bachelors degree, and will need one, as I probably am going to commission into the army as an officer after college, and join the signal corps or something like that. I'm limited on my choice of computer oriented majors at my college, (North Georgia) as it is a senior military college and tends to focus more on nursing and criminal justice. I've decided to take the core classes that I would need for both majors and make my decision at the end of sophomore year of which degree to pursue. After the army I'd think I would be somewhat attractive to potential employers, as army officers tend to make exceptional employees. It might even be interesting to work as a computer officer on a cruise ship or something. Just a thought........ Thanks again

 

[ITGUY53]

Allan-

why don't you major in Informatics? i think it would be awesome where you are basically the go to guy in a hospital in regards to IT. i'm going through a BS in IT, but i plan to go back to school and get a masters in Public Health.

i just like hanging out in hospitals with the women!

 

[kencat742]

I came accross this post while just searching the site and was excited to see that somebody else knows what informatics is. My fiance just graduated with an informatics degree and I think only about one or two people have actually known what it is when he tells people what his major was. Informatics is such a small field and I think there are only a handful of schools which offer the degree currently. Allan, from reading your first post it sounds as though it would be a great major for you if only your school offered it.

You've heard about the computer programmer that died while washing his hair in the shower. The instructions said, 'Lather, rinse, repeat.'

 

[IT4EVR]

You probably want to set up an appointment with the advising department in IT department at the college to give you a better feel for what they offer and what major you should pursue.

CIS tends to gear itself more towards computer scientists and software engineers, but you'd have to see what other courses they offer.

First, are you tied to this particular college or could you also try out what some other colleges/universities offer?

You may also want to look at some community colleges that often offer a slew of networking classes. Then you'd have to make sure those classes would transfer.

This school may not offer exactly what you need.

I will say that minoring in Bus Admin is a terrific idea.

 

[RhythmAddict112]

Agreed on the business admin. This isn't a hard and fast rule, but I would generally say that if you want to go into programming and or networking(router config, etc) do CS as it's considerably more technical. IS is def. less technical....(I have an associates in CS, Bachelors in IS)

http://geekswithblogs.net/sanjayu/

 

[Allan317]

Thanks for all of the responses. If I don't end up commissioning into the Army after college, could someone give me a general spectrum of the kinds of CS or CIS oriented jobs that would be available to a college grad and what the average base pay for these jobs would most likely be? Thanks.