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What is the main difference between Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Information Engineering?
I am keen to learn more about the main difference between the above in terms of what we learn and career prospects. If you could let me know what course is in demand now would be good too! Thanks in advance!!!
#computer #career #college #computerscience #engineering
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4 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1591
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
It's no surprise that computers will be an integral part of the workforce in the future. Knowing now which careers to pursue in a computer-related field can set you up for success in the long run. Students in this area can get their bachelor's or master's degrees. Regardless of what field a computers you decides to pursue, you'll need a decent level of technical knowledge concerning computers and technology. No matter what one's interests you the most, a degree in computers can lead to a job with a strong outlook and a decent salary.
NETWORK ARCHITECT • $134,900
A network architect monitors, tests, upgrades, and analyzes both the hardware and software within a computer network system. A bachelor's degree in a field such as information systems or computer science is the minimum education required to work as a network engineer. As network architects gain experience, they typically take on more challenging work, including analyzing systems, creating mathematical models and recommending system upgrades. More advanced positions often require a Master of Business. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for computer network architects is expected to increase by an average rate of 15% between 2020 and 2030, faster than average for all occupations. The median salary for these workers was $134,900 in January 29, 2021.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY • $129,800
Information technology professionals plan, coordinate and implement computer and information systems within an organization. Typically, they work with other managers within the company to determine the computer-related needs of an organization in relation to computer systems, software, servers, computer networking or network security. Degree programs in information technology or information systems range from associate's to doctoral and typically include courses in computer science, computer engineering and programming as well as business courses, such as marketing and management. Job opportunities for computer information systems managers are expected to increase by 11% between 2020 and 2030, according to BLS. The median annual salary for this career was $$129,800 as of January 29, 2021. IT professionals, particularly those with specialized technical skills and business management backgrounds, will have the best opportunities for advancement in the field.
COMPUTER ENGINEERING • $121,900
Computer engineers create and maintain computer systems and may specialize in one aspect of computer engineering, such as hardware or software engineering. Hardware engineers design computer circuitry, disks, chips, printers and other computer devices, while computer software engineers develop computer applications and programs. Good math and analytical skills are necessary for students interested in a career in computer engineering. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for computer hardware engineers were projected to grow 6% from 2020-2030. During the same decade, employment of computer software developers was expected to increase 21%. In January 29, 2021, the average annual salary for computer hardware engineers was $121,900.
COMPUTER SCIENCE • $120,900
Computer science professionals take part in the design, upgrade and improvement of computer systems in a wide array of industries. From artificial intelligence and security to computer games and graphics, a computer science graduate can choose from a variety of career paths. Students who wish to enter a computer science degree program should have strong mathematical, analytical and problem-solving skills. BLS reported that the median income for computer and information research scientists in January 29, 2021 was $120,900. In addition, the job outlook was good, with employment of computer scientists expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations, by 16%, from 2020 to 2030.
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING • $112,500
Software engineers oversee the creation of new software for use in a variety of industries. They are directly involved in the research and development, design, and operational testing steps of the software development process. Some engineers focus on creating software for operating systems while others develop specialized computer programs and applications. In either case, strong knowledge and skills in engineering, computer science, and mathematics are vital. Employment of software developers is expected to increase 21% in the 2020-2030 decade, which is much faster than average according to the BLS. The continuing demand for new technologies and software is helping to fuel the need for engineers in this field. BLS data from January 29, 2021 reveals that software developers in general earned a mean annual wage of $112,500 annually.
Hope this was helpful
NETWORK ARCHITECT • $134,900
A network architect monitors, tests, upgrades, and analyzes both the hardware and software within a computer network system. A bachelor's degree in a field such as information systems or computer science is the minimum education required to work as a network engineer. As network architects gain experience, they typically take on more challenging work, including analyzing systems, creating mathematical models and recommending system upgrades. More advanced positions often require a Master of Business. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for computer network architects is expected to increase by an average rate of 15% between 2020 and 2030, faster than average for all occupations. The median salary for these workers was $134,900 in January 29, 2021.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY • $129,800
Information technology professionals plan, coordinate and implement computer and information systems within an organization. Typically, they work with other managers within the company to determine the computer-related needs of an organization in relation to computer systems, software, servers, computer networking or network security. Degree programs in information technology or information systems range from associate's to doctoral and typically include courses in computer science, computer engineering and programming as well as business courses, such as marketing and management. Job opportunities for computer information systems managers are expected to increase by 11% between 2020 and 2030, according to BLS. The median annual salary for this career was $$129,800 as of January 29, 2021. IT professionals, particularly those with specialized technical skills and business management backgrounds, will have the best opportunities for advancement in the field.
COMPUTER ENGINEERING • $121,900
Computer engineers create and maintain computer systems and may specialize in one aspect of computer engineering, such as hardware or software engineering. Hardware engineers design computer circuitry, disks, chips, printers and other computer devices, while computer software engineers develop computer applications and programs. Good math and analytical skills are necessary for students interested in a career in computer engineering. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for computer hardware engineers were projected to grow 6% from 2020-2030. During the same decade, employment of computer software developers was expected to increase 21%. In January 29, 2021, the average annual salary for computer hardware engineers was $121,900.
COMPUTER SCIENCE • $120,900
Computer science professionals take part in the design, upgrade and improvement of computer systems in a wide array of industries. From artificial intelligence and security to computer games and graphics, a computer science graduate can choose from a variety of career paths. Students who wish to enter a computer science degree program should have strong mathematical, analytical and problem-solving skills. BLS reported that the median income for computer and information research scientists in January 29, 2021 was $120,900. In addition, the job outlook was good, with employment of computer scientists expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations, by 16%, from 2020 to 2030.
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING • $112,500
Software engineers oversee the creation of new software for use in a variety of industries. They are directly involved in the research and development, design, and operational testing steps of the software development process. Some engineers focus on creating software for operating systems while others develop specialized computer programs and applications. In either case, strong knowledge and skills in engineering, computer science, and mathematics are vital. Employment of software developers is expected to increase 21% in the 2020-2030 decade, which is much faster than average according to the BLS. The continuing demand for new technologies and software is helping to fuel the need for engineers in this field. BLS data from January 29, 2021 reveals that software developers in general earned a mean annual wage of $112,500 annually.
Hope this was helpful
Atul Bhankharia
Sales
476
Answers
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Updated
Atul’s Answer
I will list the degrees that are most challenging vs. least challenging.
I have worked in software and hardware development for many years so I am sharing my personal experience. In addition, my son graduated with Computer Engineering along with an Electrical Engineering minor.
1) Computer Engineering - This involves Computer Programming as well as Electrical Engineering. Some people find this very challenging and they drop out to do other majors. The courses are not easy and you have to have a background in EE as well as complex computer programming skills. If you can make it, you will have a red carpet to land a job w/ companies that make software (Facebook, Google, etc.) and/or hardware (Intel, Qualcomm, etc.).
You will get the highest amount salary here.
2) Computer Science - the focus is software development in this undergraduate degree and no much hardware design or programming is involved. You will learn multiple languages and will write complex software to achieve this degree. Those who have this degree will have an easier path to work for any company that is looking for software developers. They are in demand.
3) MIS - this emphasizes the business aspects and requires that you take courses related to software engineering in the context of business. I have seen many who have dropped out of 1 and 2 have decided to this degree. Overall, you will find employment where corp America is looking for business applications.
Finally - what I have seen is that for 1 and 2, you will not get the job in well-known companies (FB, Google, Amazon, etc.) just because you have a good GPA (3.5+). You have to pass their exams which at times is about 3-6 hours where you are given a problem to solve within a defined timeline and if you pass, you get the interview. How do I know this? My son had to take these exams at major companies in Silicon Valley and Seattle. Let me remind you these exams are not easy. You have to do homework before taking these exams. If you do get the job, you will be rewarded with six-figure salaries, stock options, and a signing bonus. These companies want the cream of the crop and they seek candidates from certain univ who are known to pass these exams.
The salaries vary widely based on geolocation and do not let anyone tell you what you will make w/ this degree. There is a major salary difference between landing a job in San Jose, Seattle vs. Kansas City (nothing against KC but it is a reality because the cost of living is lower).
I have worked in software and hardware development for many years so I am sharing my personal experience. In addition, my son graduated with Computer Engineering along with an Electrical Engineering minor.
1) Computer Engineering - This involves Computer Programming as well as Electrical Engineering. Some people find this very challenging and they drop out to do other majors. The courses are not easy and you have to have a background in EE as well as complex computer programming skills. If you can make it, you will have a red carpet to land a job w/ companies that make software (Facebook, Google, etc.) and/or hardware (Intel, Qualcomm, etc.).
You will get the highest amount salary here.
2) Computer Science - the focus is software development in this undergraduate degree and no much hardware design or programming is involved. You will learn multiple languages and will write complex software to achieve this degree. Those who have this degree will have an easier path to work for any company that is looking for software developers. They are in demand.
3) MIS - this emphasizes the business aspects and requires that you take courses related to software engineering in the context of business. I have seen many who have dropped out of 1 and 2 have decided to this degree. Overall, you will find employment where corp America is looking for business applications.
Finally - what I have seen is that for 1 and 2, you will not get the job in well-known companies (FB, Google, Amazon, etc.) just because you have a good GPA (3.5+). You have to pass their exams which at times is about 3-6 hours where you are given a problem to solve within a defined timeline and if you pass, you get the interview. How do I know this? My son had to take these exams at major companies in Silicon Valley and Seattle. Let me remind you these exams are not easy. You have to do homework before taking these exams. If you do get the job, you will be rewarded with six-figure salaries, stock options, and a signing bonus. These companies want the cream of the crop and they seek candidates from certain univ who are known to pass these exams.
The salaries vary widely based on geolocation and do not let anyone tell you what you will make w/ this degree. There is a major salary difference between landing a job in San Jose, Seattle vs. Kansas City (nothing against KC but it is a reality because the cost of living is lower).
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1817
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Hi, these subjects are closely related to one another.
Computer Engineering - focus on hardware and interfaces.
Computer Science - focus on software including programming, database, operating systems, etc.
Information Systems - focus on designing system to collect, process, store, and distribute information.
Information Engineering - focus on generation, distribution, analysis, and use of information, data, and knowledge in systems. It includes more theoretical fields such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, control theory, signal processing, and information theory, and more applied fields such as computer vision, natural language processing, bioinformatics, medical image computing, cheminformatics, autonomous robotics, mobile robotics, and telecommunications.
Hope this helps! You can do more research on these subjects online.
Computer Engineering - focus on hardware and interfaces.
Computer Science - focus on software including programming, database, operating systems, etc.
Information Systems - focus on designing system to collect, process, store, and distribute information.
Information Engineering - focus on generation, distribution, analysis, and use of information, data, and knowledge in systems. It includes more theoretical fields such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, control theory, signal processing, and information theory, and more applied fields such as computer vision, natural language processing, bioinformatics, medical image computing, cheminformatics, autonomous robotics, mobile robotics, and telecommunications.
Hope this helps! You can do more research on these subjects online.
Bob Buckley, MBA, VCP, NCHCA, RHCSA
Enterprise Architect
1
Answer
Manassas, Virginia
Updated
Bob’s Answer
Having spent 40+ years in the industry I'll answer this a bit more broadly. The degree you get is not as important as the skills you develop and continue to curate over your career. If you came to me looking for a job with the skills to build and manage networks, write/maintain code in multiple languages (more importantly CURRENT languages in use), can administer systems in say both Linux and Windows, etc. I wouldn't care what your degree was in or if you even have a degree. Don't take this as a reason NOT to get a degree, it is definitely a strong statement that shows you can commit and carry thru for the longer term, but it is no longer the sole metric.
Another bit of information that I have seen first-hand is the loss of value over time. Technology is constantly changing. Being focused on the current needs is necessary for working on the here and now responsibilities, but while you are focused, multiple new technologies (languages, clouds, etc.) are becoming important and it is very easy to fall behind the current IT needs skillset. The smart approach is to ensure you stay aware of the needs of tomorrow and invest in yourself thru continuing education. Many companies offer tuition assistance for employees and if you can show value to your employer they may even have you train on the clock versus your own time.
Lastly, if asked today what is the hottest area of interest I would answer data science. I find it comes up more often than even cybersecurity.
Another bit of information that I have seen first-hand is the loss of value over time. Technology is constantly changing. Being focused on the current needs is necessary for working on the here and now responsibilities, but while you are focused, multiple new technologies (languages, clouds, etc.) are becoming important and it is very easy to fall behind the current IT needs skillset. The smart approach is to ensure you stay aware of the needs of tomorrow and invest in yourself thru continuing education. Many companies offer tuition assistance for employees and if you can show value to your employer they may even have you train on the clock versus your own time.
Lastly, if asked today what is the hottest area of interest I would answer data science. I find it comes up more often than even cybersecurity.