As of now, I’m planning on majoring in Information Systems. I’ve done an intense programming course, and it’s one of the few things I’ve found interesting in HS and would like to continue it in HS.
On that note, I wouldn’t want to major in a field like Computer science as it focuses solely on programming.
As I’m still interested in business, Info Systems seems to be the best combination of business and technology.
So is Information Systems counted as an engineering major, or a business major… or both?
Although it varies by individual department/program, most employers and colleagues I’ve had in the computer technology would regard MIS as “CS-lite” at best and treat them little differently than a business or non-technical major unless one brings substantial computer technology skills and work experience to the table.
In many past workplaces, it was surprising how some MIS majors actually had far less proficiency in computer technology and programming skills than some non-technical majors who picked up such skills on the side such as a former supervisor who was an English major at an SWA LAC.
Management Information system = MIS = business school
Information system (IS) = is offered as BA or BS and can be found in other departments.
Right now MIS is strong at CMU, U of Minnesota, U Maryland etc.
MIS , IS, and other similarly named majors can vary significantly from school to school. You should read carefully the description and the classwork required. Some are more management oriented, others more IT oriented etc.
Also it can be done as an in-disciplinary degree in colleges that do not exactly offer the major.
At my youngest d’s college, you’ll find it I. The computer science dept as a different “track” than a regular CS Major, which will focus on programming. At the college where I work, it is housed with the business majors.
I’ve never heard of an engineering CIS/MIS program. However, I wouldn’t think much of a program that did not contain some kind of database (SQL, other relational database) class, some kind of networking class, and a solid foundation in computer programming. You’re not majoring in this to become a software developer but you want to be able to liaise with technical people and help bridge the gap between the business and the technology parts. If your undergraduate degree falls into this category:
IS=Information System=More recently called IT=Information Technology = Software and some system operations.
Its a BS Computer Science. More complex programming, more techical, maybe math based.
MIS=Management Info System= Business programming, Its a BA. Its more simple number crunching for business like Oil& gas used for bookkeeping.
Please do not generalize. Those majors vary GREATLY from college to college. The only way to figure out is to check the program yourself and see the course work required. For example this is from U of MInnesota:
"The Carlson School’s undergraduate program (includes MIS as a major) is an intensive course of study with early exposure to business that leads to the Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) degree "
So in this case MIS Is NOT a BA.
Also form UofM
“The MIS program prepares students to plan for, design, use, and manage digital assets of an organization. Digital assets of a modern business environment involve not only technology but also the IT-enabled processes governing business activities as well as the associated information/knowledge acquisition, processing, synthesis, management, and transfer processes. MIS coursework prepares students to make better decisions by applying information technologies to solve business problems and transform enterprise operations, and to innovate and manage business processes in different functional areas through the best use of the technological infrastructure of an organization. The collective impact of the coursework is to enable students to understand the role of technology in creating business opportunities and to acquire the skills necessary for the functional management of the tasks needed to secure those opportunities”.
If you check Syracuse U they offer those programs through their i school:
B.S. in Information Management & Technology
B.S. in Systems and Information Science
You need to check it out program by program to see if that is what you are looking for.
Bachelor of Science in Business? Really?
What I said before is true for most schools. Is there is an odd ball out there? Absolutely, but just because there is one or 2 or 20 odd balls, it should not stop you from the classifications of these programs .
More importantly, whatever they are called, they end up doing the same thing.
And please dont tell me Exxon does things differently from BP or Goldman …They basically do the same, if you can do the programming for one, you can do the same for others.
Yet you may not be able to work for the science side of a defense firm for example.