Information Science, Systems, and Technology - Management science at Cornell?

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>I am going to Cornell engineering next year (ED), and I was accepted with Electrical and Computer Engineering as my intended major. I've been building my own computers for about 4 years and have a strong interest in that.</p>

<p>I am also, however, am really interested in economics (and the economics of engineering). So after being accepted, I looked into the different majors much more closely, and realized that I also was very interested in Operations Research, which seemed to combine my interest in physics, engineering, and economics. For the last few months I've been kind of debating whether I should go for OR or ECE, never really thinking there might be a "compromise" of sorts...</p>

<p>So now, I've looked more closely at Cornell's Info Science, Systems, and Technology major, which is divided into either Information Science or Management science (I'd do management science), and looks to be MUCH more technical than your standard "Information Science" BA as a liberal arts major. It's offered by their school of OR and IE.</p>

<p>The classes look very similar to the OR major, but also blends some IT/CS type stuff. In fact, there are 7 required courses that are shared by both majors (not counting core physics/math/general core classes).</p>

<p>Anyone have any experience with this major? As far as I know its pretty much brand new (there haven't been any graduates from it yet), but does anyone here (experienced engineers or anyone with an opinion) have any opinion on this program? I'm really not sure I want to be a hardcore technical type of engineer - it seems to be an analyst/consulting position would better suit my interests...does it look like an ISST management science major would be pretty well-suited for a position like that?</p>

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<p>My son's interests somewhat parallel yours except he never had the interest in the nuts and bolts of computers (tho he's built them) to major in engineering.</p>

<p>Can you double major? You might want to research that now so you can plan your courses accordingly. Perhaps you can talk with an advisor, since you're already in there ED (congratulations!). Some of the engineering and IS or mgt science core classes will most likely overlap, esp in math and programming. I'd look into doing both if possible, sounds like a great combination.</p>

<p>Son just graduated with CS degree and picked up IS as a second major (also got masters in IS) for similar reason...loves CS but also developed interest in economics, finance, business classes in general, classes he'd never had in hs.</p>

<p>At the graduation for IS school (this was Carnegie Mellon) most of the grads had the type of job that you say might better suit your interests.....consulting, analysts, many in the financial sector (son's at Goldman Sachs in NY as an analyst for example).</p>

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<p>Thanks for the reply.</p>

<p>I was unclear, but Information Science, Systems, and Technology is actually a major in Cornell's college of engineering (regular IS is in both Arts and Sciences and Agriculture & Life Sciences). It would be quite easy to double-major in OR and Management science, but I'm not particularly interested in a double-major. I'd probably rather get started on graduate work early or graduate early than get two undergraduate degrees. </p>

<p>It sounds to me like ISST is basically what your son did combined into one major. From the website (<a href="http://www.infosci.cornell.edu/ugrad/ISSTMajor.htm):%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.infosci.cornell.edu/ugrad/ISSTMajor.htm):&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>That's also very helpful information about IS grads and work. My ideal job would probably be consulting for an engineering firm or a technology market analyst. Just something where I can combine my interest in technology with math/science/engineering and economics/business. Sounds great for yoru son too :)</p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>

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<p>I was admitted ed with that major on my app</p>

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<p>Firstly, congratulations on being admitted to Cornell. This is a splendid achivement. </p>

<p>I do not know much about the OR/IS field. With the interests you have listed I think a double major in Mathematics and Economics will achieve your goals.</p>