Information Systems vs Computer Science

[lindon20]

Hi all,

I was wondering if you could answer some questions that I have pertaining to the two majors.
1. Which one will have better prospects in the future? To my knowledge, information systems is easier as compared to computer science. Is this true?
2. I also know that information systems deals more with the business side of IT and as I do not really like the business/managerial stuff, is it better to go to computer science even if it is more difficult?
3. I have been looking at between SMU information systems, NUS information systems and NUS computer science, and was wondering if you could advise which uni is better as I believe that SMU has a interview which is quite tedious as compared to the 'easier' admission to NUS with just our results. I wouldn't mind other universities as well.
Thanks all.

 

[blizzaro3]

What's your ideal job?

 

[patryn33]

You don't like the business side but do you enjoy the long hours of coding? Not good with analysis of problem coding maybe a issue.

Application process hard vs easy? Is that a big concern for the life ahead? The process no matter how hard is what 3 day total vs 3 or 4 yrs the degree program? Even worst your entire career of 40 yrs? 3 days of the 40 yrs a big deal?

 

[lindon20]

You don't like the business side but do you enjoy the long hours of coding? Not good with analysis of problem coding maybe a issue.

Application process hard vs easy? Is that a big concern for the life ahead? The process no matter how hard is what 3 day total vs 3 or 4 yrs the degree program? Even worst your entire career of 40 yrs? 3 days of the 40 yrs a big deal?

I dont mind the coding as I am in an infocomm course now in poly and have been coding a lot so it's okay for me. I am just scared I may not pass the application process cause there may be a lot of competition for it and I have read up on what it requires and I am not sure if I am up for it

What's your ideal job?

I prefer the more technical side of stuff like programming, not really the managing side. So I was siding towards CS but it seems that it has a lot of math and I am not sure if I will do well for the math modules

 

[patryn33]

Now u are 20 or so, brain still quick.
No one turn managerial role as soon as they leave their uni arm with Bach degree.

Competitive process should never hinder your aspirations. Go for job interview if they require u to take oral exam, paper exam then interview too much process don't go? Too many ppl applying for the job too competitive don't go? What if started working? Too competitive how?

Whether u up for it or not let the admission officer to decide, your role as applicant is try your best. Give up before trying? Hmm... Well if your gpa is under 3.3 and O levels 20 odd pts makes sense

Computer sci not of math, more stuff on discreet math nothing like EE with laplace or Fourier iirc. Discreet is about though process. Hard engineerinh math just need time and practice

 

[arcanum00]

Now u are 20 or so, brain still quick.
No one turn managerial role as soon as they leave their uni arm with Bach degree.

Competitive process should never hinder your aspirations. Go for job interview if they require u to take oral exam, paper exam then interview too much process don't go? Too many ppl applying for the job too competitive don't go? What if started working? Too competitive how?

Whether u up for it or not let the admission officer to decide, your role as applicant is try your best. Give up before trying? Hmm... Well if your gpa is under 3.3 and O levels 20 odd pts makes sense

Computer sci not of math, more stuff on discreet math nothing like EE with laplace or Fourier iirc. Discreet is about though process. Hard engineerinh math just need time and practice

+1.
Discrete instead of discreet, though; thought process instead of though process, I suppose.

 

[YQHeng93]

Hi all,

I was wondering if you could answer some questions that I have pertaining to the two majors.
1. Which one will have better prospects in the future? To my knowledge, information systems is easier as compared to computer science. Is this true?
2. I also know that information systems deals more with the business side of IT and as I do not really like the business/managerial stuff, is it better to go to computer science even if it is more difficult?
3. I have been looking at between SMU information systems, NUS information systems and NUS computer science, and was wondering if you could advise which uni is better as I believe that SMU has a interview which is quite tedious as compared to the 'easier' admission to NUS with just our results. I wouldn't mind other universities as well.
Thanks all.

Information Systems is tailored towards analytics and also to manage the flow of information or parts of big information from different users to different end-users. It is more business-oriented in the sense that you are challenged to come up with an IT solution to improve an existing product or service, or to fill in a market's real need. So I would say, difficulty-wise, Information Systems is a step harder than Computing Science.

However, these two things cater to different people. IS is catered to people who enjoy being analytical, creative and have a can-do attitude, because it is all about problem solving and using IT as a means to transform business.

SMU has an interview process but do not let that scare you off. Different universities look at different things and have different selection processes. SMU is all about people relations and they evaluate potential by getting to know the person, which is why it has a heavier emphasis on interviewing people as part of its selection process. NUS and NTU are more straightforward - they judge you by your grades to see whether you are a good fit or good investment for them.

 

[SkatyBoy]

Information Systems is tailored towards analytics and also to manage the flow of information or parts of big information from different users to different end-users. It is more business-oriented in the sense that you are challenged to come up with an IT solution to improve an existing product or service, or to fill in a market's real need. So I would say, difficulty-wise, Information Systems is a step harder than Computing Science.

However, these two things cater to different people. IS is catered to people who enjoy being analytical, creative and have a can-do attitude, because it is all about problem solving and using IT as a means to transform business.

SMU has an interview process but do not let that scare you off. Different universities look at different things and have different selection processes. SMU is all about people relations and they evaluate potential by getting to know the person, which is why it has a heavier emphasis on interviewing people as part of its selection process. NUS and NTU are more straightforward - they judge you by your grades to see whether you are a good fit or good investment for them.

I would not say that IS is a step harder than CS, if you interpret 'hard' as 'intellectually challenging'. CS goes further in depth into the technical side of Computing, while IS (especially SMU), skims on the surface of CS itself, without going in depth. Not trying to deter anyone, but there are a few people who feel that a degree in IS is too 'soft' and that CS really prepares you for a career in the field.

I mean, don't get it wrong, there is a niche that IS fills (IT-savvy individuals who can connect with businesses/non-IT savvy individuals), but if you want more opportunities in the field upon graduation, CS would be a right choice, though you would need to have interest in Maths and can think as an engineer. Furthermore, should you aspire to work overseas, then a degree in CS is more recognised than an IS degree (as again, some people/countries think that IS is fluff). But hey, choose what interests you the most, as you would be happy about your decision.

NUS IS provides you with a flexibility to switch to CS should you feel that IS is not your cup of tea, by the end of the first year. Think about that too!

 

[zero_88]

dun come com science

you will regret it

dun say nvr warn u

 

[MoxLotus]

If you are gd at soft skill, go for IS.
If you are gd at logical reasoning, come to CS.

But there is a chance that both doesnt suit you. Then look for prospect somewhere else. We don't really wanna see ppl come to computing and flunk. Not only does it waste your time, it is wasting the resources of the school.

 

[Brooklyn2615]

Life in NUS Information System

Hi,

Recently had accepted NUS Information system during the JAE application. May I know how is the life going to be there?
I heard that is gonna be tough and certainly not hoping that I can score a low GPA in NUS.
I had no prior knowledge to computing beforehand in Poly as I study sciences. cGPA:3.94, L1R4:9 after CCA deduction.
Any seniors are on the same track as me? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Papermoon]

I would not say that IS is a step harder than CS, if you interpret 'hard' as 'intellectually challenging'. CS goes further in depth into the technical side of Computing, while IS (especially SMU), skims on the surface of CS itself, without going in depth. Not trying to deter anyone, but there are a few people who feel that a degree in IS is too 'soft' and that CS really prepares you for a career in the field.

I mean, don't get it wrong, there is a niche that IS fills (IT-savvy individuals who can connect with businesses/non-IT savvy individuals), but if you want more opportunities in the field upon graduation, CS would be a right choice, though you would need to have interest in Maths and can think as an engineer. Furthermore, should you aspire to work overseas, then a degree in CS is more recognised than an IS degree (as again, some people/countries think that IS is fluff). But hey, choose what interests you the most, as you would be happy about your decision.

NUS IS provides you with a flexibility to switch to CS should you feel that IS is not your cup of tea, by the end of the first year. Think about that too!

Wow didt know about the NUS IS -> cs At tne dof year thing. This is really helpful for me! Thank you.

In your opinion would an smu is student or NUS IS student do better salarywise upon graduation?

 

[Fearah]

I dont mind the coding as I am in an infocomm course now in poly and have been coding a lot so it's okay for me. I am just scared I may not pass the application process cause there may be a lot of competition for it and I have read up on what it requires and I am not sure if I am up for it


I prefer the more technical side of stuff like programming, not really the managing side. So I was siding towards CS but it seems that it has a lot of math and I am not sure if I will do well for the math modules

You should know well since youre from info com in poly. CS would surely be more intensive in terms of maths and programming. You should take a look at the course syllabus for CS and IS.

Alternatively, if you are tired of coding, then you should give other courses an exploration

 

[Brooklyn2615]

You should know well since youre from info com in poly. CS would surely be more intensive in terms of maths and programming. You should take a look at the course syllabus for CS and IS.

Alternatively, if you are tired of coding, then you should give other courses an exploration

Any idea if a poly student with no coding background is able to cope with CS/IS?

 

[Fearah]

Any idea if a poly student with no coding background is able to cope with CS/IS?

Yup, you just to be consistent, curious and interested in what youre learning.

 

[davidktw]

Any idea if a poly student with no coding background is able to cope with CS/IS?

Passion + Diligence + Curiosity. Largely being Passion as the main criterion

To my knowledge, most students that enrolled into Comp Sci faculty ain’t equipped with computing knowledge. CS stream is more technically focused, but seriously not out of the world. Main issue as I realised when teaching juniors in my past is they are not adventurous enough, not creative enough, and too little self enrichment outside of course.

Keep in mind that University is a place to get you started, not handhold you all the way to ready for society. Make attempts outside of coursework to bridge up the gap between industrial requirement and educational limit, and you will be fine. Visit jobs portal from time to time and see what the employers expect from employees. They may be over expecting at times, but at least you know what you don’t know, and if you look across numerous jobs asking for it, perhaps it could it the norm. Have the expectation that no institution will teach you everything you need to be successful, especially in an evergreen landscape. Then you will be fine.

 

[ExtremeWays]

Passion + Diligence + Curiosity. Largely being Passion as the main criterion

To my knowledge, most students that enrolled into Comp Sci faculty ain’t equipped with computing knowledge. CS stream is more technically focused, but seriously not out of the world. Main issue as I realised when teaching juniors in my past is they are not adventurous enough, not creative enough, and too little self enrichment outside of course.

Keep in mind that University is a place to get you started, not handhold you all the way to ready for society. Make attempts outside of coursework to bridge up the gap between industrial requirement and educational limit, and you will be fine. Visit jobs portal from time to time and see what the employers expect from employees. They may be over expecting at times, but at least you know what you don’t know, and if you look across numerous jobs asking for it, perhaps it could it the norm. Have the expectation that no institution will teach you everything you need to be successful, especially in an evergreen landscape. Then you will be fine.

They can start by scraping these job portals for job requirement info with jsoup or beautiful soup