BSC Infomatics Vs Comp Sci

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Patty

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Sorry if this has been hashed here before!

I registered for bsc comp sci (unisa) this year and have long work hours. Im making it but working like a robot and struggling with the maths. Not too healthy for oneself!

Would it be smart to swop to bsc infomatics? As I have a very keen interest in both programming and business. So this seems more applicable to me.

End of the day I want to study a degree that is going to provide the goods. Would it be silly to change to infomatics and does infomatics offer the same amount of jobs / pay?

Your comments will go a long way! Thanks
 
I don't have a good understanding of Unisa degrees, but a BSc majoring in both Computer Science and Information Systems Technology (BComs computer subject) is a powerful combination. I also wouldn't try and dodge the maths, it's useful from time to time, it definitely helps your problem solving skills.

From my experience, most of the work out there is business related. However, the business computer side of things is not so good by itself as you learn very little about real programming.
 
I am currently busy with said Informatics. It was called Information Science until last year, though.

The direction it offers is slightly different as the major differences are here: Business (Accounting/Human-Computer/Entrepeneurship) instead of (Maths/AI/Graphics). That's in short, but you will be able to see in the module makeup.

So where you could become a programmer doing c++ graphics, you could become a Business Analyst/ Project Manager which also pays well, btw.

@nickc ... you do actually do a fair amount of programming in BSc IS. Obviously less than in BSc CS, but you still rack up around 8 modules on programming which in all fairness covers it pretty well.
 
@froot... Unisa's IS course sounds pretty good then. The Informations Systems Technology (IST) Subject I did only had 1 semester of programming (VB, yuck!) and 1 semester in SQL. The rest was development life cycle, documentation, etc. I did it as part of a BSC with Comp Sci though, so I got tons of programming that side.

For Unisa courses, what languages will you learn through out the course? Do you know what language you would like to use in the working world?
 
The modules do the following: Delphi (for Forms programming for 2 modules), C++ most of the time, and Java for a short bit.
 
Friend of mine is a Development Manager (moving into a managerial position/ Business analyst) with the IS.
 
Great. The Bsc Informatics sounds as if it's quite good to be able to branch into either the business analyst or programming fields.
 
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Patty said:
Great. The Bsc Informatics sounds as if it's quite good to be able to branch into both the business analyst / programming fields.
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While both are worthwhile options, do note that neither has "less" work than the other, if you are considering changing your curriculum because of workload you wont find a diff between IS and CS.
 
CrazYmonkeY159 said:
While both are worthwhile options, do note that neither has "less" work than the other, if you are considering changing your curriculum because of workload you wont find a diff between IS and CS.
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It's the maths i'm struggling and the fact that the maths is far more time consuming to study. Also the IS has far more practical fields that interest me such as tax and business.
 
When I look at someones CV the first thing I look for is a BSc Degree, and how much programming was studied. Not having the Maths is not a big deal, but I would recommend it.

The next thing I look at is the languages and technologies that the person is experienced in, getting experience straight out of uni is the hardest part, but once you are in, there is a massive shortage of good developers (in Durban at least).

C# and ASP .Net developers are well paid, and there are plenty jobs out there. Java is also excellent, I don't know that market too well though, but it is slightly higher paying than C#, but less jobs around, and the online resources (forums info, etc) are not as vast as Microsoft products.

Once you have experience, you can move into the Project Management, etc. It is possible to go straight into Management out of uni, but someone with a development past will get on better with the developers they look after, and have a better understanding. The Management positions do get paid more.
 
Thanks for the tips. Im going to UNISA tomorrow to discuss changing!
 
@The_Assimilator: Would most definitely consider it, experience is always the overriding factor in the end. Also the person has to interview well.
 
nickc said:
@The_Assimilator: Would most definitely consider it, experience is always the overriding factor in the end. Also the person has to interview well.
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Agreed, but I've interviewed some people with "5 years Java experience" and they couldn't even use an iterator properly! It makes you wonder!
 
Patty said:
Great. The Bsc Informatics sounds as if it's quite good to be able to branch into either the business analyst or programming fields.
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I'm doing BSc Informatics and will recomend it if your not Math is weak like mine :) ... its more business orientated and due to my age (37) its more suitable for my career. I also find prospective employers find my degree very interesting.

End of day good bosses care less what you studied but more that you did study - so study what you enjoy.
 
nickc said:
When I look at someones CV the first thing I look for is a BSc Degree, and how much programming was studied. Not having the Maths is not a big deal, but I would recommend it.
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As mentioned earlier, having the maths demonstrates good problem solving ability. So it might be something worth considering, and why a mathematical background is often so highly valued.

A lot of institutions churn out programmers, so there's no shortage of that. The question you have to ask yourself is whether you want a code monkey, or somebody who is able to improvise and come up with solutions and implement them.

Also, depending on the application, it's often imperative to know things like boolean algebra - something that people without the relevant background struggle to grasp.
 
B.Sc requires that you understand the maths exercises each week you can't half do them without understanding the principles. When exam time comes studying is nicer as you review your work.
B.Com the business subjects you read through every week but have to cram like crazy before the exams.

Do whichever career path you prefer. If you want to move into pure programming only then B.Sc is better. If you want to move in a dual role where business (finance+accounting) will matter such as Business Analyst,ERP, CRM etc then do B.Com.
 
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