different kinds of computer majors?

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1

<p>I am not formally schooled in computers; I'm strictly an end-user in the humanities realm and the personal realm; nothing too complicated. I have a high schooler who is interested in computers (not involved in games; he's trying to teach himself about Ubuntu, Java, and deeper levels of using Word, Excel, etc.) Our HS offers instruction in computer applications, but no computer science courses. S has taken these courses and done well.</p>

<p>Can somebody explain how the various computer sub-fields differ, in undergrad and beyond? In college course catalogs I see computer science, computer information systems, management information systems, bioinformatics, etc. In the work world, we know database administrators, system administrators, "the IT guy", etc. The shades of meaning are lost on me.</p>

<p>S is not a math whiz. He is not looking like a candidate for an engineering program. His interpersonal skills are great, and it seems that if he enters the computer field, it would probably be more as someone who helps the buyer or user understand how to get what they need, or helps to keep a system working, rather than somebody who breaks new ground in computer programming. I would see him more as the bridge between the heavy-duty tech types and the non-tech users, whether that would be within an organization, or in sales. (Indeed, he has reached this tentative conclusion himself, while studying Java informally with HS friends who are realistic academic candidates for engineering school, and finding that they are grasping it more rapidly.) What kind of HS curriculum and UG program would be suitable for someone who is more of a humanities person by nature, but loves people and likes computers?</p>

<p>Many of the people I know who are now in their 40s or 50s, making a nice livelihood in the computer realm, do not have so much as bachelors' degrees in the field. But they entered in the 1980s, when computers were rapidly becoming more common in all types of businesses. It seemed back then that it was almost the Wild West -- if you had a knack for figuring it out, you got the job, and you matured along with it. I am guessing that formal education is more essential and specialized for new entrants today, as the field has matured -- but people who actually work in the field, please comment.</p>

2

<p>I teach at a university in the MIS field…</p>

<p>MIS…analysis/design/sometimes building (programming) applications for business…Sales Order entry, purchasing, manufacturing, custom reporting, etc etc. Pretty much all MIS majors take the business core and an MIS core that typically includes courses in…network admin and theory, database theory and design, 2 programming courses (generally pretty basic), systems analysis and design, and 1 or 2 electives. Only requires a basic calc type course. Majors get jobs as DBAs, Systems Analysts, Sales Reps, System Implementation Consultants, Network Admins, business application programmers, and IT Auditors.</p>

<p>Informatics (includes bio)…attempts to integrate MIS type materials with a cognate area. Basically, apply the computational power of computing to solve problems. Informatics with a cognate in linguistics might be of interest???</p>

<p><a href=“https://www.cs.uiowa.edu/undergraduate-programs/informatics-ba-bs/requirements[/url]”>https://www.cs.uiowa.edu/undergraduate-programs/informatics-ba-bs/requirements&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>This is interesting. Thank you. I see all these “certification” programs, some of which are taught at our community college (which is fortunately very strong academically). Can you explain what the role of the certifications is?</p>

<p>Assuming for the sake of discussion that a person’s math abilities were not enough to get them through even basic calculus are there still bachelor’s level computer majors that would be worthwhile? Or would it be better for that person to major in something else, such as a less quantitative business major, and take computer certifications? Would that produce a useful skills set, or would it just be two separate things that would tend to remain unrelated in practice?</p>

4

<p>I did follow your link, Haystack. The Human-Computer Interaction BA looks interesting, in this situation. What kind of work are those graduates doing?</p>

5

<p>Computer science focuses on the theory of computation, software design, development, and engineering, and hardware topics like computer architecture (however, many departments focus mainly on theory and software with less emphasis on hardware). The departments may be either in an engineering division, or aligned with math.</p>

<p>Computer engineering overlaps with computer science and electrical engineering, usually focusing mainly on hardware topics like computer architecture, digital systems, related software topics like operating systems, networks, and compilers, and related electrical engineering topics like device electronics and integrated circuits.</p>

<p>Software engineering is usually like computer science, but with more focus on software development methodology.</p>

<p>All of the above typically require at least sophomore level college math, such as linear algebra and discrete math. Additional more advanced math may be useful for some students (e.g. abstract algebra and number theory for cryptography).</p>

<p>Information technology, management and information systems, and similar majors are usually offered in business divisions. They are more for those interested in managing computers and their software in business contexts, as opposed to designing computers and writing their software. Math requirements are likely similar to that for business majors – usually freshman calculus (often an easier one for business majors) and introductory statistics.</p>

<p>Be aware that it is fairly common for colleges to offer majors in computer science which are limited in terms of course availability, so careful evaluation of the major should be done when making up the application list. ABET accreditation is a good thing, but lack of ABET accreditation is not necessarily bad, since some non-ABET-accredited good computer science major degree programs are good (but others are poor).</p>

6

<p>All decent business programs require some sort of basic calc, no matter the major within the business school…typically brief calculus or a survey of calculus type course.</p>

<p>They will also require at least one stats course (most will have 2).</p>

<p>You can’t escape some quant courses even if you want to major in management.</p>

7

<p>Jobs?</p>

<p>Website and user interface design, usability testing and design.</p>

8

<p>I found this website to be very helpful with understanding the differences between the different areas [Computing</a> Degrees & Careers](<a href=“http://computingcareers.acm.org/]Computing”>http://computingcareers.acm.org/)
I especially liked this poster as it had different business types and showed what each type of computer person might do in each one. <a href=“http://www.acm.org/education/CareerSiteBrochure_Nov2010Update.pdf[/url]”>http://www.acm.org/education/CareerSiteBrochure_Nov2010Update.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

9

<p>In addition to the good links provided above, here is a <em>brief</em> graphical overview of the various disciplines that I find really useful:
<a href=“http://teaching.cs.uml.edu/~heines/curriculum/ugrad/ShackelfordOnCSvsCEetc.pdf[/url]”>http://teaching.cs.uml.edu/~heines/curriculum/ugrad/ShackelfordOnCSvsCEetc.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

10

<h1>6, Good point about the math. If a person lacks those quantitative abilities (it’s not yet clear one way or the other) and takes certification programs at a community college, perhaps with an associate’s degree in at a community college, where would that lead?</h1>

<p>One CC that I just checked on offers several computer-related AAS degrees (associate’s in applied science). The AAS in Computer Science calls for precalculus and calculus. The AAS programs in MIS, Tech Support, and Administrative Support require only statistics. Kids do transfer on to 4-year programs, but it seems that they would need to finish at least Calc 1 to get the bachelors in a computer/business major (confirming that by checking the specifics of the particular upper level program).</p>

<p>I agree, any major in business or economics that does not include at least some calculus and statistics is questionable; would seem to be the same for computers.</p>

11

<p>I can tell you that none of the tech courses in these AAS programs (MIS, Tech Support, and Administrative Support) would transfer over to my school, except perhaps an intro programming course. All major and most business core courses are upper division and have to be completed at a 4 year school.</p>

<p>I know a few people with AA degress and computer certifications that are very successful. Problem is, that in today’s economy, these new AA graduates are competing for the same jobs against people with 4 year degrees.</p>

12

<p>The Venn diagram is great. So is the poster, but I’m going to have to ask my kid to print it.</p>

13

<p>re #11 – that’s an important heads-up. It sounds like you might spend 4 semesters at CC, take this stuff, become certain that you like it, maybe even work in the field a bit – but then expect to spend another 6 semesters, not 4, at a four-year school to get the bachelors.</p>

<p>Some of those courses might include some review of concepts that had been introduced below, but were not eligible for transfer. That might be OK in the long run, particularly if the mathematical skills are not all that strong immediately after 12th grade. Any thoughts on that?</p>

14

<p>“Not a math whiz” - does that mean he can’t survive freshman calculus with extra help such as tutoring? I wouldn’t write-off computer science or software engineering without being sure. At UMass Lowell for example, their engineering program has accelerated calculus, regular calculus and calculus taught at a slower pace for the kids who are not math oriented. I can’t remember the name of the program or the details. They instituted this because they found many kids who transfer out of the engineering programs do so because they struggled with the calculus and concluded they couldn’t hack engineering…</p>

15

<p>Re #14, Bean Town Girl, it’s too soon to tell how far the math will go.</p>

<p>Do you have any comments about the certification programs, and what they would prepare a person to do?</p>

16

<p>I think anything less than a 4-year program will be career limiting in the future. There are no doubt people who are currently doing well with less education but opportunities for gaining entry and “working your way up” as people did 20 years ago are not there anymore. There are of course those rare exceptions like Mark Zuckerberg or Steve Jobs who left college and did pretty well :wink: but…</p>

<p>Certificate programs are fine for working professionals to pick up knowledge in some new area of technology, but it is not what I would advise for a high school student who <em>could</em> get a B.S. in Computer Science or M.I.S… </p>

<p>He can experiment with some free online learning options such as the OpenCourseware Consortium [OCW</a> Consortium](<a href=“http://www.ocwconsortium.org/]OCW”>http://www.ocwconsortium.org/) of the Khan academy [Khan</a> Academy](<a href=“http://www.khanacademy.org/]Khan”>http://www.khanacademy.org/)</p>

<p>Speaking of the Khan academy, students in high school who struggle with math should try using the Khan online tutorials to help them. It is extremely effective!</p>

17

<p>I don’t want to seem like I’m trying to hijack this thread, but I’ve got a few questions. First, what sort of college is required for a career in Information technology, management and information systems and the like? Should I still pursue a computer science degree if I have no interest in programming?</p>

<p>Second, post #5 mentions that “Be aware that it is fairly common for colleges to offer majors in computer science which are limited in terms of course availability, so careful evaluation of the major should be done when making up the application list.” What would happen if I attended a college that’s a bit lacking? I’ve always intended to attend a college close to home, but it appears that the public schools CS program isn’t up to snuff. </p>

<p>Third, my Community College doesn’t offer any computer-related courses (they pretty much replaced them with nursing) and nobody around here seems to know anything about computer-related careers. So, I can’t take certification things here (unlike the OP). Do I need them? And which ones? Where do I go to take them?</p>

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<p>rayden – I took the “limited in terms of course availablity” a different way – at a number of schools, many of the computer science courses are ONLY available to students in specific declared majors, and if you don’t declare that major at the time you apply, it may be very hard to transfer into it.</p>

19

<p>Post #5 gives a nice summary in the paragraph that starts with “Information Technology” regarding some majors that are not programming majors, but would help prepare you to work in the IT world. You may need to start as something like a business analyst and work your way into a management role (usually companies don’t hire managers straight out of undergrad). </p>

<p>In my mind, certifications are important if you settle on one area you want to focus on. For example, information security or project management are just a couple of examples where you could gain certification later if you decide those are areas of career focus for you. I would concentrate on getting the four year degree if I were you. You might try temping part time during school and summers, and trying to get assignments that are computer related.</p>

<p>Can’t tell you what to do about your local college. Information Technology is very much a “what have you done for me lately” type of field. If you have skills and can gain some work experience, a lot of employers are not too picky about your degree. They want you to have one if you are going to be promoted in the long term, but I hear very little discussion in the IT world about where people went to college.</p>