Thread: please help me decide between computer science or information system

  1. #1
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    please help me decide between computer science or information system

    I'd like to work in the it field,I like it , but i dont want to become a code monkey though sitting 24 hours a day in front of a computer writting hundreds of lines of code. On the other hand i dont want to be stuck in a position where there wont be any opportunity for growth , both personal and financial.


    I have to decide between computer information system and computer science as my major. Now i've heard that CIS guys arent very respected in the IT industry as compared to the CS graduates. What are the pros and cons of each field? Will my employment opportunities be limited If i go for CIS instead of CS?


    thanks in advance.

  2. #2
    pronounced 'fib' FillYourBrain's Avatar
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    I'd go with Computer Science. Oh wait. I already did.
    "You are stupid! You are stupid! Oh, and don't forget, you are STUPID!" - Dexter

  3. #3
    Mayor of Awesometown Govtcheez's Avatar
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    There are too many damn degrees for the same job.

  4. #4
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    I hate to say it, but American programming jobs are becoming an endangered species. I was originally set to go with Computer Science, which would have been the best degree in the past decade to take, but I actually chose an engineering field instead.

    My subjective opinion: I still think you should go for what you really want, and I definitely think Computer Science holds more opportunities than CIS in the Computer/IT field, and is an excellent program in general. I highly suggest setting up meetings at schools that have CS and CIS and speaking with professors of each department, and not letting your choice rely solely on input from an online chat forum.

    edit:
    not that our input is invalid or anything, it's just that it is a big life choice and you want as many sources as possible.
    See you in 13

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    thanks for the input guys. Im a third year CS student and it took about that long to realize that i dont really enjoy programming.
    :[ I think im more of a visual and technical guy. ie- animation, web design, graphics, networking and trouble shooting etc. This is my chance now to decide once and for all i have about 4 hours to go until i register for the next semester and that is it so im weighing my options. Im afraid that if i go into the CIS field then my chances of maybe going into graduate school or getting a good job will be lessened. Does anyone here hold a degree in CIS, how did it work out for you?

  6. #6
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    I don't know what to say...it seems that you are cutting things too short to make an informed decision.
    See you in 13

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    my school has a program called human-computer interaction - heres what it is:

    The major in human-computer interaction is offered jointly
    by the Department of Psychology Human-computer interaction (HCI) combines disciplines
    within the fields of computing and information sciences
    (information systems, software engineering, artificial
    intelligence) and the behavioral sciences (cognitive science,
    cognitive psychology, sociology, organizational psychology,
    and social psychology) to study the design, implementation,
    and evaluation of interactive computer-based
    technology. The main purpose of this field is to understand
    the nature of human-computer interaction and the constraints
    on design of such systems from understanding
    perceptual and cognitive aspects of humans. Examples of
    HCI products include intelligent tutoring systems, wearable
    computers, and highly interactive web applications.
    The bachelor of science in human-computer interaction,
    a joint-degree program with NJIT, provides the student
    with the necessary background to conduct design activities,
    including eliciting from the client, formulating, and articulating
    functional specifications; knowing how human
    factors and cognitive models should inform design; knowing
    the principles of, and having experience with, communication
    design; understanding how implementation
    constraints should inform design; and incorporating evaluation
    results into iterated designs.
    Students implement their design knowledge by using
    their analysis and programming skills and demonstrating
    their computational literacy, i.e., knowledge sufficient for
    effective communication and decision making about interface
    construction tools and languages, multimedia authoring
    tools, data structures and algorithms, and systems
    development. They also become proficient in evaluation
    activities, including experimental design, survey methods,
    usability testing, and statistical analysis. The program
    includes the following specialty areas, which consist of
    four courses each: learning systems, human systems, applications
    development, publishing and multimedia communications,
    networks, the web, and other tailored specialty
    areas of computer applications.

    im kind of interested in that.- even thinking of doing a double major even if it takes me an extra year. Im not an artsy guy either so trying to go strictly into media and drawing i know wont work out.

  8. #8
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    Students implement their design knowledge by using
    their analysis and programming skills
    Well, you already said you don't like programming. I really honestly don't know what to tell you dude. If you at least had a couple of days then you could do some research on the matter, but, four hours?
    See you in 13

  9. #9
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    oh i've been giving this some though for about 6 months now but i havent come to a decision, im about to register for the next semester though and being a third year student i really have to make up my mind up.

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