Difference Between a Computer Science & Information Technology Degree

8/9/2019 Difference Between a Computer Science & Information Technology Degree

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Difference Between a Computer Science &

Information Technology Degree

What’s the difference between a degree in computer science and a degree in information

technology? Find out which degree can help you find the career you want.

To the layperson, computer science and information technology may seem like the same thing. Inactuality, three fields are typically associated with the study of computers at the college level.Computer engineering, information technology and computer science are all disciplines withinthe same realm of study. However, each specialty focuses on specific aspects of the field, andcareers within the three areas vary greatly.

Computer science

Computer scientists are, in fact, scientists. They are focused with the theory of computationalapplications. That means they understand the “why” behind computer programs. singalgorithms and advanced mathematics, computer scientists invent new ways to manipulate and

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transfer information. Computer scientists are generally concerned with software, operatingsystems and implementation.

!ike "eo in The #atri$, computer scientists can see and make sense of code. Computer sciencestudents will learn the fundamentals of different programming languages, linear and discrete

mathematics, and software design and development. Computer scientists study the machine itself and understand how and why various computer processes operate the way they do.

%imply put, computer scientists can talk to computers. The field is based in mathematics&thelanguage of computers. Computer scientists understand why computers work and can create a program or operating system that does what you want it to do.

Careers in computer science

Computer science is a rapidly growing field and is e$pected to see large increases in employmentopportunities. High salaries are generally associated with computer science careers. If you're

pursuing a computer science degree, the following career paths are open to you(

• )pplications software developer. )s the creative minds behind applications and

programs, software developers design and build programs and applications for computersand technological devices. )ngry *irds+ ) software developer made that. #icrosoftffice+ That would be software developers again. The median salary for a softwaredeveloper is -/,01/.

• %ystems engineer. perating systems provide the foundation for computers and devices

to function. #icrosoft 2indows, !inu$ and i% are e$amples of types of operatingsystems. %ystems engineers design and create those types of systems for use in personal

computers, phones and even cars. The median pay for systems engineers is -3,45/.

• 2eb developer. 2eb developers are not graphic designers. 6raphic designers create the

images you see on websites7 web developers program the code that makes a websitefunction. 2eb developers integrate the graphics, audio and video into the site and monitor the site's traffic, performance and capacity. The median salary for a 2eb developer is-80,99/.


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Computer engineering

To put it bluntly, computer engineers make computer parts work together. Computer engineersare responsible for the research, design and development of computer e:uipment like circuit boards, microchips, routers, video cards, etc. %ome universities may treat this discipline as anoff;shoot of electrical engineering.

It is beneficial for computer engineers to have a grasp of computer science. Computer engineersoften deal with hardware;to;software integration, meaning they have to design and build processors and hardware that can support a given program. )s technology advances and ourdevices become smaller and smaller, a main goal of computer engineers is to create microchips

and microprocessors that work economically and efficiently.

Computer engineering students will study concepts in computer science, engineering andmathematics. *y combining these three fields, computer engineers are able to solve hardware problems and create state;of;the;art machines that can handle the many tasks computers perform.

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Careers in computer engineering

There's not a lot of diversity in


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Information technology

Information technology AITB may adopt the monikers information systems or systemsadministration. ssentially, IT professionals are the users of technology. IT utiliDes e$istingoperating systems, software and applications in tandem to create a larger system that solves aspecific business problem. IT constructs a network from established building blocks to carry outa task, such as an automated supplies ordering service.

=ue to the nature of the work, IT professionals are more likely to interact with clients and co;workers outside of their department. They may help e$plain to a client how to solve technology problems or work with e$ecutives and business owners to construct a technology plan that willmeet their business needs.

IT students will study network and database design in depth, and receive an introduction to basictheory and applied mathematics. %uccessful IT candidates will possess strong critical thinkingskills7 IT professionals are tasked with resourcefully and cost;effectively applying the tools attheir disposal.

Careers in information technology

)t every level, from mom;and;pop shops to multinational corporations, businesses need IT. ver the ne$t decade, career opportunities in IT are e$pected to grow faster than average. =ependingon your level of education, a degree in IT can provide a comfortable paycheck.

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• Information security analysts. IT security analysts work to prevent cyberattacks by

monitoring their business's network for breaches and weak spots and to create emergency plans in the event of an attack. )ccording to a @/4@ survey by Eobert Half Technology,the average salary for this position ranges between -5,/// and -4@4,0//.

•

"etwork architect. %ometimes called network engineers, these IT professionals designand build communication networks, such as local area networks A!)"sB, wide areanetworks A2)"sB and intranets. Eobert Half Technology reports that the average salaryfor network architects is between -0,0// and -418,///.

• Computer support specialists. %upport specialists provide advice and troubleshooting help

to individuals and businesses that have :uestions about their software. The median salaryfor computer support specialists is -39,@9/.

• =atabase administrators. =*)s use software and programs to organiDe and store data for

businesses that range from financial firms to shipping companies. =epending on the

industry in which a =*) works, the median salary for this position ranges between-9@,05/ and -5@,5@/.

• %ystems administrators. %ystem administrators conduct the day;to;day maintenance and

operation of a business's networks, including !)"s, 2)"s, intranets and othercommunication systems. %alaries for this position vary by industry. The median annual pay for system administrators ranges between -0,@1/ and -83,@1/.

Summary

To sum it up Aand maybe oversimplify a bitB, computer engineers design and build computers.Computer scientists design and develop computer programs, software and applications. IT professionals then use and troubleshoot those programs, software and applications. These three professions all work together to make sure hardware, software and user interface AIB cometogether smoothly so that computers can carry out the tasks businesses and individuals need fromthem.

It might help to imagine it like this( Computer engineers are architects and construction workers.They design and build a house. Computer scientists are the electricians, plumbers and installationspecialists who put lights, running water and appliances in the house. IT professionals live in the

house and use appliances effectively and efficiently for a desired effect.

There is some overlap within these three fields. ssentially, they e$ist in subsections of the samediscipline, performing complementary different tasks that fit together like a gear. Hopefully thedistinctions between the three professional areas are now clear. If IT is where you want to be,Fing niversity nline can get you there. arning your bachelor's degree in informationtechnology online is the first step toward a high;paying, in;demand career.

http://online.king.edu/online-degree-programs/bachelor-of-information-technology/http://online.king.edu/online-degree-programs/bachelor-of-information-technology/http://online.king.edu/online-degree-programs/bachelor-of-information-technology/http://online.king.edu/online-degree-programs/bachelor-of-information-technology/http://online.king.edu/online-degree-programs/bachelor-of-information-technology/http://online.king.edu/online-degree-programs/bachelor-of-information-technology/


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All career and salary information is courtesy of the U.S. Bureau of abor Statistics !BS" unless

otherwise stated.

#ing Uni$ersity has a reputation for academic e%cellence that goes beyond the classroom. &uronline degree programs position graduates for an e%ceptional career or continued educational

opportunities. 'ore than () percent of #ing graduate sur$ey respondents indicated they

recei$ed admission to their first choice of graduate programs. 'a*e an in$estment in your futurewith an online degree from #ing Uni$ersitu.
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Difference Between a Computer Science & Information Technology Degree

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