BSc Computing and BSc Informatics - Main differences?

Bar0n said:
CompSci is much more mathematicial and theoretical: AI, neural networks, algorithmics, compilers, etc.

Informatics will focus on practical programming, software engineering and patterns, human-computer interaction, database management, etc.
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cguy said:
Computing is more "science" and Informatics is more "business". It really depends on your headspace as to what's best for you. Plenty of businesses need computer science types not informatics types and vice versa.
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Sorry i must seem like a complete noob with all these questions.
I See unisa curriculum is a lot more focused on the programming front than other establishments that mix in a lot more accounting and business management into the course.

This will no doubt sound naive but i'm just interested in programming but also need a degree so i can't just go get certified quickly, so judging by what Bar0n said informatics is the go to degree i'm just worried about the accounting and business part of it all. i only have one shot at this so i want to do it right.
 
Zuner said:
Sorry i must seem like a complete noob with all these questions.
I See unisa curriculum is a lot more focused on the programming front than other establishments that mix in a lot more accounting and business management into the course.

This will no doubt sound naive but i'm just interested in programming but also need a degree so i can't just go get certified quickly, so judging by what Bar0n said informatics is the go to degree i'm just worried about the accounting and business part of it all. i only have one shot at this so i want to do it right.
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If you do a degree instead of a diploma, you will have a lot of electives. Electives are sort of like side-courses. The salad to your steak. It completes the degree by offering you a broader view of things. You may find that when you progress to a managerial level, the business management and accounting courses come in handy.

If you're adamant that you want to do nothing but programming and other computing-related stuff, a diploma is the way to go, but I've always advised people to rather do a degree.

EDIT: Rather ask lots of questions now than spend 20-30k per year on something that backfires. ;)
 
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Bar0n said:
If you do a degree instead of a diploma, you will have a lot of electives. Electives are sort of like side-courses. The salad to your steak. It completes the degree by offering you a broader view of things. You may find that when you progress to a managerial level, the business management and accounting courses come in handy.

If you're adamant that you want to do nothing but programming and other computing-related stuff, a diploma is the way to go, but I've always advised people to rather do a degree.

EDIT: Rather ask lots of questions now than spend 20-30k per year on something that backfires. ;)
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understood, so doing the informatics will definitely get me into programming a main, with a little business management on the side, have you guys done or know of someone who has done the informatics course? is the accounting brutal??

EDIT: For me its a lot more than 20k-30k i'll be resigning and going full time living off of savings for the full duration.
 
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Zuner said:
I'm leaning towards the Informatics course, for next year.. I guess I'll see..
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As far as usefulness is concerned, I doubt you'll find too many people who will care which appears on your CV. Beyond the BSc, experience counts. So make the decision for yourself IMO.
 
Bumping this thread, I just want to know if Bsc informatics is still relevant. Heard of too many people studying only to get a qualification that's obsolete. Any input?
 
Zuner said:
Bumping this thread, I just want to know if Bsc informatics is still relevant. Heard of too many people studying only to get a qualification that's obsolete. Any input?
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No degree is ever obsolete. Anybody who tells you otherwise fails to understand the purpose of tertiary education. In the context of this thread, a degree is all about setting foundations and that's it.

I'm 40 and doing my final semester of my BSC Informatics. All I can say is that each and every module I'm doing this year (all business ones) is 100% relevant to my job as a senior software developer for the largest SA eccomerce site.

But just remember that degrees don't guarantee you a job, they just give you a licence to go for interviews and the confidence to take on new challenges.
 
cbrunsdonza said:
No degree is ever obsolete. Anybody who tells you otherwise fails to understand the purpose of tertiary education. In the context of this thread, a degree is all about setting foundations and that's it.

I'm 40 and doing my final semester of my BSC Informatics. All I can say is that each and every module I'm doing this year (all business ones) is 100% relevant to my job as a senior software developer for the largest SA eccomerce site.

But just remember that degrees don't guarantee you a job, they just give you a licence to go for interviews and the confidence to take on new challenges.
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Nicely said, are you also doing it through Unisa? How long did it take you if I may ask?
 
Zuner said:
Nicely said, are you also doing it through Unisa? How long did it take you if I may ask?
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Yes and too long ;) Been a student for 13years when I started with an aborted attempt at a BCOM Management. Did a National Diploma in Data metrics and then started the BSC Inf in 2011.

I've had 7 jobs, 1 marriage and two kids since I started. No regrets but I am gatvol now.
 
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