What is Information Systems? How is it different from Computer Science?

Question

What is a degree in Information Systems, and how does it differ from one in Computer Science?

Answer 1

Typically Information Systems is business-related, and Computer Science is theory-related. You won't learn COBOL in CS, or Lisp in IS.

Answer 2

I would hazard a guess that Information Systems is the new name for IT. It is probably a high level technical course aimed mainly as business analyst types.

Typically this would have little or no low level programming or computer architecture and no CS maths (predicate calculus and the like), most likely no electronics either but a lot more business knowledge.

Answer 3

Information Systems (or Management of Information Systems, MIS) is soft of a hybrid degree employing some aspects of computer science and some aspects of business. Whereas computer science traditionally will focus on theory, algorithms, and software engineering, MIS will focus more on business, with some programming and CS electives like database theory and computer networking theory.

MIS will more likely get you a job as a network admin, CS as a developer, although it can go both ways.

Or you could go CS + MBA and you will have it all.

Answer 4

Information Systems is the application of computers and computer technology to business problems. This includes software development, network management, database administration, information security, and so on. A reputable IS degree (also known as MIS, CIS, and CIT, depending on the university) will give you the knowledge and skills necessary to work in the information technology organization of a business.

IS degrees, again depending on the university, will include business education in accounting, finance, and management as the degree is intended for managing the technology that helps run these aspects of business.

At the risk of sounding somewhat pedantic, consider: A CS degree covers a lot more of the "whys" of computers and programming, while an IS degree covers the "whats."

Answer 5

The best explaination I read was:

• CS teaches you how to do low (close-to-machine) level development ( Operating Systems, DBMS, Compielers ).
• CIS teaches you how to use those systems. It also has some courses for managing applications/projects/teams.