<p>The time has come to decide on a major. I was originally leaning towards Computer Science because I love the thought of designing software and possibly having a Robotics/AI track. However, the math is honestly scaring me away. I've never been really strong in math, just enough to get by with A's and B's. So you can see why a CS major makes me nervous. </p>
<p>So I figured to still have a major that has programming classes, I would go with a CIS/MIS major. Looking at the coursework they obviously have less math requirements, but can a CIS major be used for Robotics? How marketable is the major in general? What are the main differences between the two majors, are there any certain pros and cons of a CIS major?</p>
<p>CIS/MIS is usually a business-oriented major that is more about managing computers and their software, rather than designing computers and their software as CS is. But you need to check the curricula to be sure. (Note: CIS usually means “computer information systems”; at a few schools, it can mean “computer information science” and is more like what is usually called a CS major; check the curriculum to be sure.)</p>
<p>A and B grades in math should not be seen as an automatic disqualifier to majoring in CS, although you will need to take math and math like courses in college (e.g. linear algebra, discrete math, algorithms and complexity).</p>
<p>Can you give an example of how a CIS major would manage software that a developer creates?</p>
<p>Even now reading what I’ve said, it’s kind of clear to me that I’m really more interested in designing software. Do you think it’s fairly normal to be nervous or get cold feet when entering in to a challenging major like CS?</p>
<p>Can CIS majors actually be software engineers in the workforce? Especially if they have a Programming concentration?</p>
<p>Why are you letting fear control you? Punch math in the face, don’t cower from it.</p>
<p>It’s not impossible to be a software engineer with a CIS/MIS degree, but it would be easier to get such a job, particularly doing robotics, with a CS degree. For robotics, a mechanical engineering degree with robotics and/or CS electives would also be a good choice.</p>
<p>That does sound good photodad, but I’m more interested in the actual software that is responsible for aritificial intelligence, rather than the robot mechanics itself. Plus, I doubt a MechE degree would be a good idea if I’m already scared of the math a CS degree comes with ;)</p>
<p>Half of the math part for CS is different from the math for other engineering majors. It requires more reasoning than applying formula. Some people who are good in traditional math may not be able to handle CS. Programming is only a small part of CS. CS requires reasoning and abstraction. You have not tried it yet, therefore you should not be afraid of it.</p>
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<p>Just like sawing bones is a small part of orthopedic medicine :D</p>
<p>A lot of today’s modern IT uses software that is so complex to learn, it makes C++ look like kid-script by comparison… Try tackling the nuances of Informatica or Business Objects or Cognos and you can see what I’m talking about. It is very different than coding in C++, but not much easier (especially if you inherit someone else’s barely functioning work and have to actually make it work…)</p>
<p>If we’re talking at the basic code from scratch type development, sure, Informatica or Oracle is much easier to deal with than C++. But to get to the point where you can think ‘naturally’ in Informatica and crank out models as effortlessly as you can code them in C++ it takes years of experience. Otherwise you end up with stuff that is incomprehensible and unmaintainable…</p>
<p>One can readily get unstuck in C++ or Oracle or PHP by consulting Google. But start into the more esoteric stuff like Informatica, SAS, and the like and 3/4 of the Google hits are “how to pass an Informatica interview” type question with zero specifics about your particular issue. </p>
<p>(the things you learn when your significant other is an Informatica / Analytics / Oracle consultant :))</p>
<p>Thanks everyone, I think I will go ahead and pursue the CS major, and not worry about the math until I have to.</p>
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<p>Bad idea, start getting on top of the math now. Self-study calculus. If you aren’t ready for that, self-study trig and/or pre-calc. Study linear algebra as well. Study permutations and combinations, and get good at algebra. Start doing this now.</p>
<p>Are you still reading this? I said math, boy!</p>
<p>I can’t hear you! Sound off like you got a par…-ametric equation!</p>
<p>Question to anyone else on this particular thread that knows anything else about computer science:</p>
<p>Would it really be that hard to get a job in software engineering with a CIS degree? I mean someone here already said it was possible but is it probable? I mean for instance, would it be as easy as getting a job as a financial consultant in a bank with a degree in accounting instead of finance, or would it be as difficult as trying to get a job as a salesman with a degree in communications instead of marketing?</p>
<p>At the local level it should not be a big deal, because local employers would know XYZ University and its grads. If you plan to move to a hot jobs area you will have to overcome not only the provincialism of the hiring process, but the MIS vs CS part. </p>
<p>Truth be told, tho, if you have the right skills, and an internship or capstone type project that shows what you can do it should not matter too much. I would find a way to do CS, tho.</p>
<p>What turbo said about local employers. Also, as we keep having to mention, CIS doesn’t always stand for the same thing at all schools. (I just typed “school” with a k, what’s that all about?) At my school CIS <em>is</em> the CS degree, it has all of the theory, the language stuff, Turing machines, lambda calculus, computer organization, OSes, graph theory, etc. as well as practical software courses.</p>
<p>Well bare in mind I would be getting a job at the local level first.</p>
<p>From what I can tell, CIS*/MIS (and other business) graduates rarely go into the design and development jobs that CS majors tend to go into. Non-CS major college graduates are more likely to be from backgrounds like physics, engineering, humanities, or social studies, with some CS course work or substantial self-education.</p>
<p>*Assuming that CIS means the business-type computer information systems, rather than the more technical computer information science.</p>
<p>Yeah it’s information systems. So I should probably do CS then? Is there any other degree that would give me all the programming classes without all of the math and physics?</p>
<p>EDIT: Actually my school has both information systems and information science. Is Information science good for being a software engineer?</p>
<p>Plenty of schools offer a BA in Comp Science, with math lite and phys lite…</p>