At the first glance, both computer science and information technology bachelor’s degree programs may seem to be one and the same, which is true to some extent as both degrees deal with computers. A closer dissection will reveal several differences between the two degree programs.
A computer science degree will be more scientifically, theoretically and mathematically oriented whereas the information technology degree is oriented towards infrastructure and data management. Information technology also involves management skills for managing both the infrastructure and the people using the information system.
An Overview of Computer Science
What is Computer Science?
Computer science is the study of computers and it concentrates not only on the theory behind computers but also the practical approach and applications that are behind computers. It is a field of study in itself. This discipline will force you to use your thinking in the abstract and concrete terms.
What does a Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree offer?
A bachelor’s degree in computer science will offer a core curriculum with courses such as programming principles, data structures, logic and computation, intensive mathematics involving algorithms, calculus and analysis. It will also have courses such as application programming, computer architecture and organization, and different programming languages.
In addition to the core curriculum, students have to choose other elective courses such as data communication, internet computing, compilers, operating systems, software engineering, and artificial intelligence.
What are the skills required to be successful in a Computer Science Degree program?
Since the computer science degree program delves deep into the mysteries of mathematics, you should be in love with the intricacies of mathematical formulae and everything that goes with it. In other words, you have to be a whiz at logarithms and statistical computer analysis. You also need oodles of patience to figure out what went wrong with the program you wrote or someone else wrote which can be really frustrating.
Careers in Computer Science
A bachelor’s degree in computer science will prepare you to work as a computer systems designer, programmer analyst, systems analyst, web developer, software developer or a computer programmer.
Pay Scale and Employment Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Computer-and-Information-Technology/Software-developers.htm) , a computer science professional will earn $43.52 per hour which is $90,530 per year.
An Overview of Information Technology
What is Information Technology?
Information technology is the management of technology by using computers and computer networks to store, retrieve, manipulate and transmit data. Information technology managers test and then implement the right information technology infrastructure for the organization they work for.
What does an Information Technology Bachelor’s Degree offer?
An information technology bachelor’s degree is very similar to the computer science degree except that this course is more design oriented with a different set of technical skills than what is expected from a computer science bachelor’s degree graduate. Curriculum courses include information technology fundamentals, systems administration and management, web development, technical writing, programming fundamentals, databases, IT plan development, IT security, project management, object oriented design and other foundation courses.
What are the skills required to be successful in an Information Technology Degree program?
To be successful in an Information Technology degree program you should have good management and people skills which translate to being good at organization and communication. You should also have the patience and the knowhow to fathom the solutions to a good working information system.
Careers in Information Technology
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in information technology you can expect to find work as a network architect, network engineer, database administrator, network administrator, telecommunication specialist or a systems administrator.
Pay Scale and Employment Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Management/Computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm), an information systems manager will earn $55.67 per hour and $115,780 annually.
In a nutshell, if you have technical and analytical skills and love to program and prefer computers to people, then you should go for a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. On the other hand, if you are a people person and love to manage difficult situations and have the ability to be calm even when all systems crash, then you should go for a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology.
