Difference between CIS and CS

[patlajan]

OK once again it is time for geek forum. I want to know, from those in the know, the difference between a CIS and CS program/degree. I'm looking into either to add to my business degree.

I think CIS would be easy to complete because I would get credit for a few classes I've already taken and there is less hardcore math. But I don't know how respectable CIS is compared to hardcore CS.

[Siggie]

What is the difference between Computer Information Systems and Computer Science?
A student can obtain just as solid a technical program in Computer Information Systems (CIS) as in Computer Science (CS); but the focus and goals of the two programs tend to differ. Computer Science tends to be more theoretical, more mathematical, and/or more engineering in focus. Computer Science students follow a curriculum that utilizes several semesters of calculus and often researches and measures the assets and liabilities of one kind of computer against another, one language or tool against another, one database "engine" against another. Its graduates are prepared to compete for entry into the top Ph.D. programs across the nation.

Computer Information Systems is not a “soft” program, but focuses on current, practical, applied, real world uses of a computer, of a language or tool, or of a particular development technique. Computer Science students may design the next great computer, language or tool, technique, or network structure. Computer Information Systems students will learn to efficiently and effectively utilize these creations to improve their business or organization’s functional objectives.

CIS is NOT spreadsheets, Internet publishing, and the like; the College offers these kinds of learning areas in the Organizational Information Technology program.

Source

[patlajan]

Sounds about right, Konishiwa
Now I'll wait for Seapahn to weigh in...

[Siggie]

My local IT manager said in the most general of ways that CS people tend to do more programming whereas CIS deal with his kind of stuff (systems, network, and security I guess).

[Sip]

Now I'll wait for Seapahn to weigh in...

Hehehehe ... you calling me fat?

The blurb above does a pretty good job. It will really depend on what the institution itself means by CS or CIS but in general, the main differences are outlined above.

I would just add that CIS is more practical and less "sciencey". Note the S in CIS is for "system" ... that means you learn how certain real systems that already exist (i.e. some CS guy already made them) work in practice. The knowledge is more specific in each domain (e.g. networking, databases, operating systems, security, etc).

With computer science, you learn the science ... the theory behind things, how things function, why things are the way they are, how you can make things better, and as the text above says, how to compare things that exist and how to make new things.

In a sense, the CS guy learns, understands, and builds the stuff that the CIS guy will learn to use to accomplish a specific task. But also note that the CS guy can cater to a wide variety of other users and not just CIS folks.

[patlajan]

Hehehehe ... you calling me fat?

The blurb above does a pretty good job. It will really depend on what the institution itself means by CS or CIS but in general, the main differences are outlined above.

I would just add that CIS is more practical and less "sciencey". Note the S in CIS is for "system" ... that means you learn how certain real systems that already exist (i.e. some CS guy already made them) work in practice. The knowledge is more specific in each domain (e.g. networking, databases, operating systems, security, etc).

With computer science, you learn the science ... the theory behind things, how things function, why things are the way they are, how you can make things better, and as the text above says, how to compare things that exist and how to make new things.

In a sense, the CS guy learns, understands, and builds the stuff that the CIS guy will learn to use to accomplish a specific task. But also note that the CS guy can cater to a wide variety of other users and not just CIS folks.

Hmmm. What about the programming bit? I like programming, and I already know some PHP and javascript. I'm starting a new job in "web design" but it is really more tech support. I eventually want to work on e-commerce software and such. Is CIS or CS better for that goal? Can I have a CIS degree and be a programmer anyway, or will I get pigeon holed down the line years from now because I don't have the "right" background?

Bottom line is if I'm gonna go back to school for another year or year and a half I don't want to get screwed !