Calling the Computer Geeks!!!

[kshsj777]

Okay, can anyone tell me the difference between computer science and computer information systems? I'm trying to understand what they are so I know which area is best for me, b/c I'm thinking of majoring in one of those and minoring in writing. (If I don't major in writing, I'm definitely minoring in it!)

I'm still kind of exploring my options here, ranging from the computer majors mentioned above to a Communications, Writing, or even maybe a French major.

[PepperGardenMan]

Sometimes it depends on the context, but often computer science has to do with the technical aspects of how computers, networks, etc. work, while computer information systems is more about using technologies to accomplish a goal.

In other words, with computer science you may get more into putting a computer together or writing an application to do something, while with computer information systems you would probably be working with databases, report writing programs, data warehousing, and similar things.

Putting it even more simply, computer science is more about creating something that didn't previously exist, computer information systems are uses existing technologies to store and report data.

Both of them are probably quite different than computer engineering, which would be about how to make a microchip or developing other system components.

All of that is way over-simplified, but perhaps helps you a little bit.

Good luck!

[kshsj777]

Thanks! It sounds like Information Systems might be better then.