The_Dude

What are the differences between these two majors?

I see that MIS focuses on the end user part (including web design etc...) and CS doesnt spend too much time on web design etc...

Any core differences?

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TIO

We've got IT systems, IT applications and CS here.
CS is theoretical; you'll likely learn Haskell and Prolog and a couple of other experimental languages, and you'll learn a lot of the theory underlying CS; you'll study algorithms, logic, and advanced topics like adaptive systems and computer vision.
IT majors are applied; you'll learn about network protocols and security, software engineering practice, operating systems programming, and advanced programming in C, C++ and Java.

Typically, CS majors end up in research positions or algorithm design, whereas IT majors end up as codemonkeys, webmasters or sysads.

Really, it depends on whether you enjoy programming or science more.

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Strewth

kel

CS and our hardware counterpart Computer Engineering majors invent the wheel. IT majors spin the wheel.

An IT major will not prepare you to program well if at all. You may learn a high level language or two, but have no clue how to really make it fly.

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perth1

MIS is management of information systems...

under that comes sys admin, network admin etc

CS is more programming and "nuts & bolts" of 'puter systems

Moskie

If you're looking for a career in programming of any kind (and not a researchy-type career), the best solution might be to get a CS degree, learn some languages along the way, then get actual job experience (at whatever level you can find). In terms of programming abilities, I think most companies would rather see experience working with certain languages/systems, as opposed to a degree where you learned them (such as MIS/IT). And on top of that, a CS degree shows you know the inner workings of what you're doing, which is always good.

Then again, maybe I'm just saying this because it's my current career plan.

Also... I've always thought of IS as the major for people who can't (or don't want to) handle CS. I say this with my tongue placed firmly in my cheek.

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Peetster

Keep in mind that many programming jobs are floating overseas where Pakistani programers work for pennies on the dollar. MIS is more a management program, where you would eventually recommend decisions such as outsourcing.

kel

A CS major can do an MIS majors job in a heartbeat ;-)

Oh... now it's on baby!

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TIO

I'd like to agree, kel, but I tried doing an IT job once. They're really hard...just try to get through one day without your brain atrophying completely!

</TIC>

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Strewth

Sleepyjack

@TIO
Do you go to UWA?

Myself, i do software engineering which is bits and pieces from eveywhere. We do some hardware and electrical engineering, programming (in c, c++, java and assembly), algorithm design and theory, software design and management and also software metrics, quality and control.

we also have CS and IT as other computing courses, i think, but to me they sound the same. Mostly they're waht we do without some of the hardware and electrical engineering. We also do more software engineering theory, design and management though. Although the course is a year longer.

f00sion

MIS/IT teaches you how to use windows, CS teaches you how to make windows.

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Peetster

For a few years, yes. However, as I stated, MIS is a management track, where one day you may become a Chief Information Officer (CIO). A CS will likely remain a techie, or advance through academia. I'm not belittling that, many people are very skilled and capable technicians, happy with that career track. Some of them become stinking rich. Others find their niche teaching in a University and working with grant money. They are two different paths with different eventual destinations, and it takes a unique sort to do either well.

kel

Your right, CS is not the path to riches or power.

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TIO

kel's partly right. 99.999% of the time, it's not the route to riches or power. The other 0.001%, you're Bill Gates

Sleepyjack, when you say CS and IT, are you referring to the full courses, or just CS123 and Foundations of IT? Because CS123 is certainly not CS. It's just codemonkeying.

Trust me, CS is not what you do. It's not anything like what you do. We do a lot of the same algorithms stuff, and learn code because it's kind of hard to test stuff if you can't code, but you guys don't do any of the really trippy stuff (Neural nets, logic & AI, Learning to Tolerate Du Huyn 301)

Hmm...born 1983...that would make you final year next year?
What's your project? Doing any CS units? I may be able to lend a hand.

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Strewth

Jaseca

For the schools with just CS and CIS, from what I've seen if you don't want to be challenged you choose the CIS curriculum. They give you a degree to get you into a Data Entry position. 99% of the competent Network Admins/Engineers here graduate CS. You may not learn all of the software, but you get a very good understanding on how things are designed and implemented. CS just seems to take the time to try things outside of class etc. This could just be something local though.

It could also just be the IS classes falling back to the "no child left behind" idea, slowing them down. So other places could be completely different.