Computer science vs information systems

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Riazbapoo

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Hi guys

I am student at the university of the Witwatersrand . I have a choice of computer science and information systems and I need ur help to make an informed decision.

I am 18 years old , I spent the last year doing a bsc biochemistry . It was the biggest mistake of my life .
Now I am looking to go into a computer related field but the question is which one . I am not the greatest at maths and science scoring a c and a d respectively at matric level .

Ever since I was 14 I have always had an affinity for technology. Cellphones and computers in particular, but to be fair I am also a surface learner . I am not familiar with the underlying aspects of computers and Cellphones and I feel that this has to change

I might want to go in to the field of programming and developing applications.

Any advice that you can give will be highly appreciated.

Please try and give a list of pros and cons for Computer science and information systems

Thank u
 
Depends on what you want to focus on - the information systems course prepares you more for software development with a focus on business (financial systems etc) where computer science is more engineering oriented.
 
Yes you will but they will be more focussed on business needs. With the engineering option the integration will be more focussed on integration and possibly even hardware design (depending on course structure etc) There are many options out there. You can't simply look at the course title. You need to look at the subject matter (subject names, both required and elective) and then make a choice. Don't get bamboozled by guidance people at tertiary education. I have seen them make some shocking recommendations over the years. Rather read up on the course matter at hand and then ask questions relating to that. Also ask particular questions relating to the subject matter that you like the most (in this case development) there are some institutions that still teach COBOL as the primary language. Steer clear of these places as they haven't updated their courses to the latest requirements. It is fine if it's a single semester introduction but if it has three 1 year modules steer clear (I am speaking specifically of COBOL)
 
I completed my BSc Hons in Computer Science at Wits at the end of 2009.

I don't know much about info systems except for what I've heard, but my view is that Computer Science is much more Maths and Science oriented. You do far more theoretical stuff, and need to do Maths 1 and 2. You learn programming mainly on your own by them assigning you labs and projects to do. Or at least it was like that when I did it. It's changed a bit in the past two years. They may teach you the basics, but expect you to learn a lot on your own. You do a lot of algorithm design and analysis as well, which gets pretty complicated at the Honours level.

I think that you should look at the courses you'll be taking in CS and IS and compare them.. I believe the IS is more business and finance oriented, and the CS is more mathematical sciences oriented. You'll come out of both with programming knowledge, and from what I've seen the people doing Comptuer Science are generally better coders (at least in the few years I was there). I think though that they place more emphasis on programming in IS. But compare the courses and see which one suits you best. If you don't enjoy maths particularly then I don't think CS is a good choice. Much of algorithm analysis is just maths.
 
a simplified view of the difference as follows:

Information systems = business analysts / functional resources
Computer Science = developers / technical resources

Its not as clear cut as that - but one way to look at it.
 
from what i have heard so far i think i am leaning towards the IS. what is the hardest part of IS that most people suffer with ?
 
Riazbapoo said:
from what i have heard so far i think i am leaning towards the IS. what is the hardest part of IS that most people suffer with ?
Click to expand...

Boredom with all the business modules.

I'm at UNISA and my semester modules are:FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING REPORTING ; INTRODUCTION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP ; GENERAL MANAGEMENT and PROGRAMMING: CONTEMPORARY CONCEPTS

And this is just 2nd level stuff, still got 3rd level to go
 
Riazbapoo said:
Will I be able to develop apps with information systems
Click to expand...

You can write apps after a 3 day VBA course.

Depends what you want to do.
If setting up spreadsheet models, simple databases etc is your interest, then do Information systems.

If you just want to do programming and nothing else then do Computer science.
You learn to write proper applications like your own OS if you want.
 
Pegasus said:
You can write apps after a 3 day VBA course.

Depends what you want to do.
If setting up spreadsheet models, simple databases etc is your interest, then do Information systems.

If you just want to do programming and nothing else then do Computer science.
You learn to write proper applications like your own OS if you want.
Click to expand...

What's a VBA course ... ? Bcos I wanna learn how to develop got iOS ...
 
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