<p>I am attending the University of Arizona and they have a well regarded program in Management Information Systems. I am very interested in this program but wonder how does it differ from computer science? How are the job prospect after graduation and what companies hire these grads? Lastly, is this field suffering outsourcing? Is there room for growth in a company with this major?</p>
<p>Management Information Systems is more about using technology ("Information Systems") for business solutions whereas Computer Science is about the skills and knowledge required to be able to write the software behind that technology. Both use/require computer skills, but that's like saying both running and biking require legs; they're separate entities.</p>
<p>I've not been through an MIS program and it wasn't even offered where I attended school, so keep that in mind for the rest of my post. MIS is more suited to running databases, large scale networks including e-mail and Web, integrating different computer systems, maybe even PABX or VoIP telephone systems (e.g. Nortel) -- and all the security issues that go with each one.</p>
<p>CS is all about designing software. From basic functional programming to object-oriented design patterns. Low level system stuff (concurrency, I/O, etc.) to high level systems architecture. There may be courses on networking and/or security, but it will be more theory in CS where MIS will be about practical application. CS will also have options that MIS doesn't -- AI is a good example.</p>
<p>In short, MIS is for the information technology industry and CS is for the software development industry. MIS is easier to outsource, though both are experiencing it right now.</p>