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Home > Archive > Certifications and IT jobs/Salaries > June 2001 > Computer Science or Information Technology Degree?
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Computer Science or Information Technology Degree?
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| ccieToBe 2001-06-15, 1:41 pm |
| Right now I'm working towards a BS in Computer Science, but am getting sick of all the math so I'm considering switching my major to Information Technology (also a BS). The main difference between the two is that IT involves taking a lot less math and science courses and more technology courses. I'm hesitant to switch though, because I've been told that an IT degree is less valued by employers then a CS degree. Does know to what extent this is true or false?
I appreciate any input. | |
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| Well, I have never really heard of an "IT" degree, but Comp Sci. degs are well known. Am not sure how an employer would look at this though. Is the math/science giving you trouble? You could try taking electives in the IT college to give you a minor or second major in that area, or vice versa if you are worried about whether switching would be a good idea. Usually after the sophomore year, the math lets up a little . . . in many Comp Sci progs, you have to do a senior level class in probability and a statistics elective, but after Multi-D Calc and Linear Algenra you are usually free. | |
| ccieToBe 2001-06-15, 3:05 pm |
| IT's a very new degree (in Florida's universities anyway), so that's probably why you haven't heard of it. The only university I know of that offers it is UCF, which is where I was planning on going next year anyway. It's part of the CS and CE college there. The math is boring me a lot (because it's so abstract), so that's the main problem. I have no problem with the science requirements. I'm actually considering doing a dual CS/Physics major, or at least minoring in Physics if I stick with the CS route (The math requirements for CS and Physics are almost identical). | |
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| That might be a good idea. I double-majored in math and physics in college. The math was a lot more abstract. One good thing about the physics B.S. is that you will probably be more involved in high-performance computing problems than you will with the math, which at its advanced stages is more theorem proving and would be even duller from your viewpoint. The physics/Comp Sci option looks good because you will need to roll your own programs to do your comps anyway, and the math will be the same if not more than is required for the comp sci degree. At any rate, the physics/EE side of things would be closer to networking technologies than the Comp Sci side which focuses on math, algorithms and programming. Unfortunately, unless you can pick it up as you go along, you will need to take the math classes one way or another. | |
| ccieToBe 2001-06-15, 6:19 pm |
| Thanks for the advice Randy. That's an interesting viewpoint of physics being more applicable to networking then cs. I've never really thought of about it that way, but now that you mention it, it makes sense. I've found that a lot of the material that I learned in my high school physics classes, especially on optics and electricity has applied directly to the hardware end of networking. On the other hand, the programming skills picked up in CS/IT would deffinately help out when dealing with Unix, so these two would make a great combo. I'm still not sure what I'll major in, but I have a couple more months to think about it before signing up for the fall term classes. Hehe, I'm starting to lean back towards choosing CS. | |
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| I don't believe a I.T degree.
After all those programming, designing, and electrical communication. CS, IS, CE or EE is the fundamental of the whole I.T field.
Without the basic, doesn't matter how fancy the I.T degree on Technology, like: BIS, TS, MIS, CST, ... etc It just another way to go around or skip to something.. | |
| ccieToBe 2001-06-16, 7:56 pm |
| Thanks for the input Kasor. | |
| Omletteboy 2001-06-16, 11:28 pm |
| Stick with BS computer science, I haven't heard of an IT degree either. Computer science is the real deal... programming, math, logic. | |
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| Well, at LSU there was a regular course offered in the physics department called "Solid State Electronics" at the senior level and I thought it was a real help. It seems as though the networking stuff has more in common with EE or physics than with the programming, but computer science is still basically programming and systems analysis. So, if you want, you can try to customise your curriculum by sort of striking a balance between the two. I always thought physics much more entertaining than programming, but it's all up to the individual. Keep in mind though that if you do a physics major you will get lots of classes that have little to do directly with CS, like Quantum mechanics, condensed matter physics and so on. A minor in EE might be something to consider as well, as it focuses on desinging and buildinc electronic devices and may actually be the best and most practical option, especially when combined with CS. | |
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| Randy,
Did u do good on Quantum Physics? I took a 200 level course at my UG. The materials already blow out everybody! D*** interesting class but the material too hard for a non-physics major student...
"Solid State Electronics" I think first yr classic physics do touch a little on this one.
I always wonder how smart u need to be a M.S or Ph.D student for Physics, EE, ME, .....
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| Bobby Digital 2001-06-17, 2:37 pm |
| Information Technology degrees have popped up at a lot of colleges within the last year or so. From what I have seen they are more general in providing training in various IT disciplines (i.e. networking, database management, programming, etc.).
BD | |
| Eclipse 2001-06-17, 3:34 pm |
| IT Degrees have been available here in New Zealand for a while now. When they were first released they were viewed as nothing but an 'easy' option at university and not al all well recognised - they have since become an industry standard.
So with limited knowledge of the US/CAN situation, I'm gonna be 'the one' (there's always one...) and say that an IT degree will be of great use in the future. | |
| ccieToBe 2001-06-17, 6:27 pm |
| Thanks for the replies everyone. It sounds like the general consensous is to stick with the CS/Physics route. It'll be painfull to go through all those math classes, but I guess it's worth it.
Randy:
It looks like there are a lot of electronics-related courses in Physics' list of required classes, but the ones that look most like "Solid State Electronics" are electives. I could take it as an elective, but I'll already have more then enough CS courses to fill up those requirements.
Hehe, I just took a look at the list of available minors, and I'm a couple classes away from a lot of them. Doesn't look like UCF offers minors in EE or CE, but they do in CS and Physics.
EE and CE don't realy apeal to me because they both involve taking a lot of the general engineering classes. CS may be heavy on programming, but I'm more interested in that then general engineering.
Kasor:
Quantum mechanics confuses the h*** out of me too. It seems to defy logic in some ways. Lots of fun to try to understand though.
Bobby Digital:
Yes, the IT degree is more general, but it's still still very simular to CS with the exception of the math and science courses.
Eclipse:
That's interesting to hear. IT's so new over here that the university I'll go to won't even offer a couple of the senior level courses for another year or two, so if I work towards it, I'd be among the first to graduate. | |
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| quote:
Originally posted by Kasor
Randy,
Did u do good on Quantum Physics? I took a 200 level course at my UG. The materials already blow out everybody! D*** interesting class but the material too hard for a non-physics major student...
"Solid State Electronics" I think first yr classic physics do touch a little on this one.
I always wonder how smart u need to be a M.S or Ph.D student for Physics, EE, ME, .....
Actually I thought QM was a lot of fun, as compared to the regular E&M and classical type stuff that were offered at the lower levels, but then I have always been into outlandish stuff. As for how smart you have to be . . . i think that is the wrng question . . . I think it needs to be "how hard are you willing to work?". Most of this stuff is not all that hard to understand but you need persisitence and determination. | |
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| Computer Science is the way to go, it is probably the most recognized IT degree out there. Good Luck in whatever you do,
Azam | |
| crazyone 2001-06-19, 10:44 pm |
| A CS degree almost always locks you into being programmer. With a CIS or IT deg, you get a good spread of the field, i.e., web developing, programming, and some networking. It gives more choices when you graduate as to what you want to do. | |
| Valpru 2001-06-21, 7:58 pm |
| I am also trying to make the same decision through Florida State University. If I choose the CS degree I still have to take Calculas 1 and 11, University Physics 1 and 11 along with the labs of course. Since these will be difficult courses for me I really need to make them the only course during the semester, which means it would take me forever to finish. I am a bit discouraged over this. I want the CS degree but dont want to put in the time. Catch 22 I guess.
Well good luck to you with what ever you choose.
Valerie | |
| TW2001 2001-06-21, 8:31 pm |
| I say CS all the way! Its difficulty is why its respected.Taking the programming classes enables me to hone logic/troubleshooting/analysis skills which are trademarks of a good SA /Net Admin. Use the vendor certifications for your networking skills..just get some experience while your in school.
There seems to be an awfull lot of these "IT degrees" becoming available. Some are very easy to achieve and you have to wonder the enduring value. Just dont get confused...
A.S/B.S computer science vs A.AS Information Technology Big difference!
I faced the same dilema glad I made the right choice. Think long term...think current market...think oversaturation of certificates....Think of how will you stand apart...think about what an employer knows about the individual who completes a degree in CS! | |
| Netman[MTSC] 2001-06-25, 6:30 am |
| The differences between and IT, CS and EE degrees are that the CS majors usually write the software applications. The EE majors design and build the hardware. While the IT majors are professionals who use the software and hardware to provide real business solutions.
I found that IT degrees give you less theory but more application of different technologies. They are more focused on giving you a broad based foundation of many different technologies with the management skills to help you advance in your career.
They are kind of like having the certifications technical side and the general education rolled into a BS degree. The IT degree that I will be completing this September has given me the training to get the certifications as well as the BS degree.
Don't get me wrong here, I'm not saying that any one of the above degrees are better than the others, but I only want to clarify the differences. If you are an introvert, and want to be a programer, then CS is the way to go. But it you are more of a people person who needs to know general technology like a project manager, then IT is for you.
By the way, I switched from a Physics major to IT, and have no regrets. | |
| exar07 2001-06-25, 9:22 am |
| Most companies I have seen in hiring people recognize both degrees. However the CS has been around longer and is generally the degree mentioned on Job web sites as well.
Some of the other guys put some good input in for you.
Good luck! |
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