Differences between CS and CIS?

bandXtrb

Banned
May 27, 2001
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I'm trying to learn about the differences in "Computer science" and "Computer information Systems" as undergraduate programs. I'm going to get more information at school very soon, but I'm interested in any general information anyone has. So far it seems that CS is much more math and programming oriented and CIS is more business oriented, dealing with the use of computers in a business environment. What kind of opportunities are there for CIS graduates vs CS graduates? I'm interested in doing system/network administration.
 

pillage2001

Lifer
Sep 18, 2000
14,038
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CS = programming and more programming. Sleepless nights due to programming.

CIS = Party and more party. Sleepless nights due to watching Star trek.

CIS is more on the business side while CS is the learning how to program software and learn how the software works from the lowest level point of view ( Assembly ).
 

Supermercado

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2002
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I think if you're more interested in doing network administration and things along those lines, CIS would probably be the better bet of the two. But I would imagine that if you had a CS degree and had all the right certifications and qualifications, you could get the same job.
 

Ameesh

Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
23,686
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<< CS = programming and more programming. Sleepless nights due to programming.

CIS = Party and more party. Sleepless nights due to watching Star trek.

CIS is more on the business side while CS is the learning how to program software and learn how the software works from the lowest level point of view ( Assembly ).
>>




i watched star trek while i was programming :D
 

Jfur

Diamond Member
Jul 9, 2001
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it varies by institution, there is no way to generalize based on an acronym
 

N8Magic

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
11,624
1
81


<< CS = Counter Strike
CIS = Continuous Injection System
>>



Damn!

You beat me to it! :)
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
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<< I think if you're more interested in doing network administration and things along those lines, CIS would probably be the better bet of the two. But I would imagine that if you had a CS degree and had all the right certifications and qualifications, you could get the same job. >>

...except you'd be driven mad with boredom from being so overqualified :) Actually, learning to develop software is really not the best training for managing networks and IT resources since only a small fraction of your time (if any) would be spent writing code to integrate or customize resources.
 

LAUST

Diamond Member
Sep 13, 2000
8,957
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<< Looks like CIS for me :) >>


9 year net admin here... The market is now flooded, and will be for a long time if not forever now, with the simplicity of operating systems and hardware, Joe Schmo can do this now, it's not like the old days of "Novell is God of file servers" where you had to know your $hit

Programming dispite the recession is still hiring all over the place... Do a search on Headhunter in any major city, 10 out of 10 times the programming jobs will well outnumber the need for CIS, it's been that way ever since I got into this business.