computer info systems vs computer science image
Mark
I looked up at some schools that had the program I was interested in. What really impressed me are the computer science departments at San Jose State and Sacramento State. Sac State has a co-op program that allows undergrads gain work experience. They also have a variety of concentrations and specialized courses not offered elsewhere. The impression that I got was that their curriculum was more hands-on and less theory/research related which is what I need. When I visited other UC sites and explored their course syllabi I didn't get that same impression.
Since employers seem to value skillsets and problem-solving abilities, would it be better if I went to a school like San Jose State or Sacramento State over a school like UC Davis?
Answer
Computer Engineering has the worst job prospects of any computer-related major. Check out the data on the Bureau of Labor statistics for the total number of jobs and the job growth rate. There are about 20 times as many jobs in software vs. hardware, and the growth rate for software jobs is 3 times higher than for hardware jobs. The main reason why universities have added Computer Engineering majors in the last 15 years is that it was easy for them to make it without having any new classes or hiring any new faculty. They can simply take half of the B.S. Electrical/Electronics Engineering classes and half of the B.S. CompSci classes, and bingo, you've got a CE major. Students are fooled into thinking that anything with the words computer and engineering must be good, but unfortunately it isn't. CompSci departments have been churning out CE graduates much faster than there's demand for them in the industry. In many cases there's as many or more CE majors as CompSci majors, which makes no sense whatsoever when there's 20 times more jobs and a 3 times higher growth rate for CompSci and Software Engineering.
Fortunately, there are a few colleges that have introduced Software Engineering majors, which is the most relevant software discipline for students who intend to get an entry-level job in software development as a junior programmer. The following schools are the only ones in California with an SE-related major:
Computer Science and Info. Technology, Concentration in Software Engineering (CSUMB)
Computer Science B.S. - Software Engineering Option (CSUEB)
Computer Science B.S. Concentration in Software Engineering (CSUS)
Computer Science B.S. Concentration in System Software (CSUS)
Software Engineering B.S. (CPSLO, SJSU, UCI)
Computer Systems B.A. (CSUSB)
The Cal Poly SLO program is the only one of these that is ABET accredited. The CSU San Bernardino degree was the first SE program offered in California. The most recent SE program is at UC Irvine, and they have the only Ph.D. program in SE in California. CSU Fullerton has the only online SE masters degree program in California, but no undergrad SE degree program.
Software Engineering is substantially different than any other computing discipline in college or university. To learn about the various computing disciplines and the differences between them, read the ACM/IEEE curricula recommendations on the following link.
All of the other CSU's and UC's not mentioned above are at least 10 years behind in modernizing their curriculum. They just have traditional B.S. CompSci programs that focus on algorithms, theory, and individual technologies, with at most a class or two on software engineering. They actually waste more time on unnecessary math and physics/chem than they teach good SE classes where students. These prereqs are not needed for programmers in general, and only become useful for about 5% of software jobs in the industry, scientific computing. This is described in the ACM recommendations, which states that that software engineering doesn't have linear math as a core requirements, with different subjects like statistics, logic, and discrete math being far more relevant.
http://www.acm.org/education/curricula-recommendations
Computer Engineering has the worst job prospects of any computer-related major. Check out the data on the Bureau of Labor statistics for the total number of jobs and the job growth rate. There are about 20 times as many jobs in software vs. hardware, and the growth rate for software jobs is 3 times higher than for hardware jobs. The main reason why universities have added Computer Engineering majors in the last 15 years is that it was easy for them to make it without having any new classes or hiring any new faculty. They can simply take half of the B.S. Electrical/Electronics Engineering classes and half of the B.S. CompSci classes, and bingo, you've got a CE major. Students are fooled into thinking that anything with the words computer and engineering must be good, but unfortunately it isn't. CompSci departments have been churning out CE graduates much faster than there's demand for them in the industry. In many cases there's as many or more CE majors as CompSci majors, which makes no sense whatsoever when there's 20 times more jobs and a 3 times higher growth rate for CompSci and Software Engineering.
Fortunately, there are a few colleges that have introduced Software Engineering majors, which is the most relevant software discipline for students who intend to get an entry-level job in software development as a junior programmer. The following schools are the only ones in California with an SE-related major:
Computer Science and Info. Technology, Concentration in Software Engineering (CSUMB)
Computer Science B.S. - Software Engineering Option (CSUEB)
Computer Science B.S. Concentration in Software Engineering (CSUS)
Computer Science B.S. Concentration in System Software (CSUS)
Software Engineering B.S. (CPSLO, SJSU, UCI)
Computer Systems B.A. (CSUSB)
The Cal Poly SLO program is the only one of these that is ABET accredited. The CSU San Bernardino degree was the first SE program offered in California. The most recent SE program is at UC Irvine, and they have the only Ph.D. program in SE in California. CSU Fullerton has the only online SE masters degree program in California, but no undergrad SE degree program.
Software Engineering is substantially different than any other computing discipline in college or university. To learn about the various computing disciplines and the differences between them, read the ACM/IEEE curricula recommendations on the following link.
All of the other CSU's and UC's not mentioned above are at least 10 years behind in modernizing their curriculum. They just have traditional B.S. CompSci programs that focus on algorithms, theory, and individual technologies, with at most a class or two on software engineering. They actually waste more time on unnecessary math and physics/chem than they teach good SE classes where students. These prereqs are not needed for programmers in general, and only become useful for about 5% of software jobs in the industry, scientific computing. This is described in the ACM recommendations, which states that that software engineering doesn't have linear math as a core requirements, with different subjects like statistics, logic, and discrete math being far more relevant.
http://www.acm.org/education/curricula-recommendations
Computer science vs information technology vs computer engineering?
Selma
I am going to go to a college soon. I am interested in computer science but I am considering the other options too.Can you tell me
1-) the salary a month
2-) what they teach
3-) what classes I have to take
sorry for my bad english
Answer
I am sorry but I can't answer questions on Computer Engineering.
However I can answer questions on Computer Science and Computer Information Systems (may be called other names like Infomation Technology). These answers apply in the US but may be accurate in other countries.
Most entry level positions are going to require you to have a 4 year degree, some certifications or demonstratable skills and some job experience. Salary for entry level IT positions in the US are about $35,000USD/year and up.
When you enroll in college they will tell you the required classes that are necessary for whatever degree that you chose - either Computer Science or Computer Information Systems. The Computer Science degree will be more geared towards Programming and software development topics.
I always tell people interested in Computer Science is that they need to discover not if computer science is a good major for them but if they are the right person for computer science. Programmers are born and not made. All the computer programming courses in the world will not make you any good at it if it is not your gifting and calling. Many eager CS majors take their first few programming courses and realize that this is not what they expected while others just take to it like a duck to water. If you find yourself struggling you can always switch majors into Info Sys or another IT area that does not require programming. Remember that at most 4 year schools you can change majors out to the end of your second year with very few credits or time lost. Being able to do well at CS has nothing to do with intelligence. Many of the people I know that were not successful in Programming are very successful in other fields.
Here are some non-programming jobs:
Computer Technician - Works on computer hardware at user location or in service center. (entry level IT Job)
Service Center Coordinator - Schedules the repair of user community computers, orders spare parts, schedules staff, establishes priorities, maintains loaner laptops and non-US laptops for travel outside of US.
Help Desk Staff - answer questions and resolve problems for the user community. (entry level IT Job - Tier 1 support)
Storage Administrator - in charge of mass storage servers and devices.
Network Administrator - Works on routers, switches, hubs, cables, load balancers and all the other hardware that handles LAN and WAN network traffic. Also, may be responsible for IP phone service.
Systems Administrator or Systems Engineer- Works with servers, laptops and desktop computers to keep them free of problems and secure the data they contain. Responsible for Security group creation and memberships, server patching, anti-virus protection updates, password changes and any automated mechanisms that make these changes. These positions may be divided into server and desktop teams. Tier 2 support.
Enterprise Administrator - Handles Enterprise support and design issues. Tier 3 support.
Active Directory Administrator - Designs and administers Active Directory infrastructure, AD policies, access permissions, roles, group policies, separation of duties.
Exchange and Messaging Administrator - maintains mail systems servers, other mail related devices and the company messaging infrastructure.
Backup Administrator - Maintains backup devices and determines backup strategies so data that was deleted accidentally or intentionally can be recovered. Design and control how and when data is backed up, where the backups are stored and how long the backups are retained. They will test to be sure backups are valid and usable.
Disaster Recovery Specialist - Plans for disaster events so the company data and infrastructure can be brought back online as quickly as possible after a fire, flood, earthquake, terrorism or other disaster event. Plans for failover of services to alternate locations, if the primary location is not available.
Database Administrator - Maintains the company databases which may include customer and sales records, billing information, inventory and other data.
Computing Security Specialist - A company's biggest asset is its data and the Computing Security Specialist will work to try to keep that data protected from loss. They may be dealing with and defending against viruses, hoaxes, malware, keyloggers, phishing attacks, internal attacks and domestic and foreign intrusion. Develops monitoring and interception systems, filters and strategies and works with appropriate government agencies.
Corporate IT Acquisition Specialist - Works with acquired outside companies to establish migration into the corporate computing infrastructure.
Data Center Administrator - Maintains the data center facilities where the company's servers and other devices reside.
Best Wishes!
I am sorry but I can't answer questions on Computer Engineering.
However I can answer questions on Computer Science and Computer Information Systems (may be called other names like Infomation Technology). These answers apply in the US but may be accurate in other countries.
Most entry level positions are going to require you to have a 4 year degree, some certifications or demonstratable skills and some job experience. Salary for entry level IT positions in the US are about $35,000USD/year and up.
When you enroll in college they will tell you the required classes that are necessary for whatever degree that you chose - either Computer Science or Computer Information Systems. The Computer Science degree will be more geared towards Programming and software development topics.
I always tell people interested in Computer Science is that they need to discover not if computer science is a good major for them but if they are the right person for computer science. Programmers are born and not made. All the computer programming courses in the world will not make you any good at it if it is not your gifting and calling. Many eager CS majors take their first few programming courses and realize that this is not what they expected while others just take to it like a duck to water. If you find yourself struggling you can always switch majors into Info Sys or another IT area that does not require programming. Remember that at most 4 year schools you can change majors out to the end of your second year with very few credits or time lost. Being able to do well at CS has nothing to do with intelligence. Many of the people I know that were not successful in Programming are very successful in other fields.
Here are some non-programming jobs:
Computer Technician - Works on computer hardware at user location or in service center. (entry level IT Job)
Service Center Coordinator - Schedules the repair of user community computers, orders spare parts, schedules staff, establishes priorities, maintains loaner laptops and non-US laptops for travel outside of US.
Help Desk Staff - answer questions and resolve problems for the user community. (entry level IT Job - Tier 1 support)
Storage Administrator - in charge of mass storage servers and devices.
Network Administrator - Works on routers, switches, hubs, cables, load balancers and all the other hardware that handles LAN and WAN network traffic. Also, may be responsible for IP phone service.
Systems Administrator or Systems Engineer- Works with servers, laptops and desktop computers to keep them free of problems and secure the data they contain. Responsible for Security group creation and memberships, server patching, anti-virus protection updates, password changes and any automated mechanisms that make these changes. These positions may be divided into server and desktop teams. Tier 2 support.
Enterprise Administrator - Handles Enterprise support and design issues. Tier 3 support.
Active Directory Administrator - Designs and administers Active Directory infrastructure, AD policies, access permissions, roles, group policies, separation of duties.
Exchange and Messaging Administrator - maintains mail systems servers, other mail related devices and the company messaging infrastructure.
Backup Administrator - Maintains backup devices and determines backup strategies so data that was deleted accidentally or intentionally can be recovered. Design and control how and when data is backed up, where the backups are stored and how long the backups are retained. They will test to be sure backups are valid and usable.
Disaster Recovery Specialist - Plans for disaster events so the company data and infrastructure can be brought back online as quickly as possible after a fire, flood, earthquake, terrorism or other disaster event. Plans for failover of services to alternate locations, if the primary location is not available.
Database Administrator - Maintains the company databases which may include customer and sales records, billing information, inventory and other data.
Computing Security Specialist - A company's biggest asset is its data and the Computing Security Specialist will work to try to keep that data protected from loss. They may be dealing with and defending against viruses, hoaxes, malware, keyloggers, phishing attacks, internal attacks and domestic and foreign intrusion. Develops monitoring and interception systems, filters and strategies and works with appropriate government agencies.
Corporate IT Acquisition Specialist - Works with acquired outside companies to establish migration into the corporate computing infrastructure.
Data Center Administrator - Maintains the data center facilities where the company's servers and other devices reside.
Best Wishes!
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
Comments :
Post a Comment