Computer Science, Information Technology & Information Systems – what do they mean?

So it’s time to put on my nerd hat back on again! Given that it’s the application period for studies in Sweden, I get a lot of emails asking me about various fields on studies. As I am a student in the field of technology, I am often asked for clarification between the 3 above mentioned programs. It is true that they all sound similar and convey the idea of hardcore computer ‘stuffs’, but in reality that is not the case. There are differences and few important ones, as it’s important to ensure you study what you like.

So what exactly are the differences between these 3 fields of study?

Computer Science (CS) – One should pursue an education in Computer Science if their interest lies in serious problem solving. By that, I mean that they have to be pretty creative and try to think outside the box when it comes to developing programs. Traditionally, and yet today, Computer Science courses are majorly based on algorithms, programming and software development. To enrich the whole package, courses like operating systems & machine learning are also thrown into the mix. Therefore, anyone who wants to constantly learn new coding languages, takes on challenging ambiguous problems and enjoys the intensity of the courses should go for CS. Talking about soft skills, I believe persistence is the key. One must be patient and focused because softwares are not built in a day. Teamwork is also important because you have to work in dynamic teams with various skills. Hence combining them and producing results within strict deadlines is the key.

Information Technology (IT) – If you are not a hardcore programmer but still enjoy technology, IT can be your go to study domain. Usually in IT programs, the level of intensity in terms of technical courses are lesser compared to CS. However, you still get to learn object-oriented programming, bit of algorithms, math and statistics. However, unlike CS, IT programs in general may provide a specialization area in which students can take their major courses. They can vary but may include Management Information System, Business Administration, Software Development, Information Security etc. These allow students to find a niche in which they would want to build a career on and pursue it. Hence students can take business, humanities and social science courses alongside the technical ones to form a unique combination. It is all based on their interest and IT degrees usually provides that opportunities.

Information System (IS) – I had previously written a detailed blog post on this program. IS comes into the picture when one is interested to study systems, information and the orientation & management of technology in general. This is a program that lay a foundation for students who want to proceed to managerial positions later in their career. Strategy, decision-making, information usages are key terms and thus, develop a student’s knowledge keeping the bigger picture in mind. Information is key to any organization that helps them make effective decisions and keep up their existence within the competitive industry landscape. Students get to enjoy a wide variety of courses like e-commerce, information security, knowledge management, system analysis, databases, networks etc. Such modules shape a student’s thinking in terms of business and technology and be present at their intersection to ensure the well being of the organization.

Did it help? If so, then hurry up! Our application deadline is in January.

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Image taken from internet

Redwan

Written by Redwan

12 Dec 2015