6/27/2014 Difference Between Computer Science & Information Technology

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Difference Between a Computer Science &

Information Technology Degreeposted March 28th, 2013 by Jessica Blanchard

What’s the difference between a degree in computer science and a degree in informationtechnology? Find out which degree can help you find the career you want.

To the layperson, computer science and information technology may seem like the samething. In actuality, three fields are typically associated with the study of computers atthe college level. Computer engineering, information technology and computer science areall disciplines within the same realm of study. However, each specialty focuses on specificaspects of the field, and careers within the three areas vary greatly.

Computer science

Computer scientists are, infact, scientists. They arefocused with the theory ofcomputational applications.That means they understandthe “why” behind computerprograms. Using algorithmsand advanced mathematics,computer scientists inventnew ways to manipulate andtransfer information.Computer scientists aregenerally concerned withsoftware, operating systemsand implementation.

Like Neo in The Matrix,computer scientists can seeand make sense of code.Computer science studentswill learn the fundamentals ofdifferent programminglanguages, linear anddiscrete mathematics, andsoftware design anddevelopment. Computerscientists study the machineitself and understand how and why various computer processes operate the way they do.

Simply put, computer scientists can talk to computers. The field is based in mathematics—the language of computers. Computer scientists understand why computers work andcan create a program or operating system that does what you want it to do. Careers incomputer scienceComputer science is a rapidly growing field and is expected to see largeincreases in employment opportunities. High salaries are generally associated withcomputer science careers. If you’re pursuing a computer science degree, the followingcareer paths are open to you:

Applications software developer. As the creative minds behind applications and programs,

software developers design and build programs and applications for computers and

technological devices. Angry Birds? A software developer made that. Microsoft Office? That

would be software developers again. The median salary for a software developer is

$90,530.

Systems engineer. Operating systems provide the foundation for computers and devices

to function. Microsoft Windows, Linux and iOS are examples of types of operating

systems. Systems engineers design and create those types of systems for use in

personal computers, phones and even cars. The median pay for systems engineers is

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$94,180.

Web developer. Web developers are not graphic designers. Graphic designers create the

images you see on websites; web developers program the code that makes a website

function. Web developers integrate the graphics, audio and video into the site and

monitor the site’s traffic, performance and capacity. The median salary for a Web

developer is $75,660.

Computer engineering

To put it bluntly, computerengineers make computer partswork together. Computer engineersare responsible for the research,design and development ofcomputer equipment like circuitboards, microchips, routers, videocards, etc. Some universities maytreat this discipline as an off-shootof electrical engineering.

It is beneficial for computerengineers to have a grasp ofcomputer science. Computerengineers often deal withhardware-to-software integration,meaning they have to design andbuild processors and hardware thatcan support a given program. Astechnology advances and ourdevices become smaller andsmaller, a main goal of computerengineers is to create microchipsand microprocessors that workeconomically and efficiently.

Computer engineering students willstudy concepts in computerscience, engineering andmathematics. By combining thesethree fields, computer engineersare able to solve hardware problems and create state-of-the-art machines that canhandle the many tasks computers perform.

Careers in computer engineeringThere’s not a lot of diversity in job titles in the computerengineering world. Diversity in the job comes from the various industries that employcomputer engineers. You can find employment rates and median salary information for thetop four industries in which computer engineers work below:

Federal government. As of 2010, the federal government employed seven percent of all

computer engineers. The median annual pay for computer engineers working for the

federal government is $102,950.

Computer and electronic product manufacturing. The majority of computer engineers (35

percent) work in this industry. The median salary for computer engineers in product

manufacturing is $101,320.

Computer systems design and related services. Nineteen percent of computer engineers

work in systems design. The median pay for computer engineers in this industry is

$98,860.

Scientific research and development services. Eleven percent of computer engineers are

employed by research firms. The median salary for computer engineers in research

settings is $92,080.

Information technology

Information technology (IT) may adopt the monikers information systems or systemsadministration. Essentially, IT professionals are the users of technology. IT utilizesexisting operating systems, software and applications in tandem to create a larger systemthat solves a specific business problem. IT constructs a network from established buildingblocks to carry out a task, such as an automated supplies ordering service.

Due to the nature of the work, IT professionals are more likely to interact with clients andco-workers outside of their department. They may help explain to a client how to solvetechnology problems or work with executives and business owners to construct atechnology plan that will meet their business needs.

IT students will study network and database design in depth, and receive an introductionto basic theory and applied mathematics. Successful IT candidates will possess strongcritical thinking skills; IT professionals are tasked with resourcefully and cost-effectivelyapplying the tools at their disposal. Careers in information technologyAt every level, frommom-and-pop shops to multinational corporations, businesses need IT. Over the nextdecade, career opportunities in IT are expected to grow faster than average. Depending

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on your level of education,a degree in IT can providea comfortable paycheck.

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.

According to a 2012

survey by Robert Half

Technology, the

average salary for this

position ranges

between $89,000 and

$121,500.

Network architect.

Sometimes called

network engineers,

these IT professionals

design and build

communication

networks, such as local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs) and intranets.

Robert Half Technology reports that the average salary for network architects is between

$95,500 and $137,000.

Computer support specialists. Support specialists provide advice and troubleshooting help

to individuals and businesses that have questions about their software. The median

salary for computer support specialists is $46,260.

Database administrators. DBAs use software and programs to organize and store data for

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

industry in which a DBA works, the median salary for this position ranges between

$62,580 and $82,820.

Systems administrators. System administrators conduct the day-to-day maintenance and

operation of a business’s networks, including LANs, WANs, intranets and other

communication systems. Salaries for this position vary by industry. The median annual pay

for system administrators ranges between $59,230 and $74,230.

Summary

To sum it up (and maybe oversimplify a bit), computer engineers design and buildcomputers. Computer scientists design and develop computer programs, software andapplications. IT professionals then use and troubleshoot those programs, software andapplications. These three professions all work together to make sure hardware, softwareand user interface (UI) come together smoothly so that computers can carry out thetasks businesses and individuals need from them. It might help to imagine it like this:Computer engineers are architects and construction workers. They design and build ahouse. Computer scientists are the electricians, plumbers and installation specialists whoput lights, running water and appliances in the house. IT professionals live in the houseand use appliances effectively and efficiently for a desired effect. There is some overlapwithin these three fields. Essentially, they exist in subsections of the same discipline,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 wantto be, King University Online can get you there. Earning your bachelor’s degree ininformation technology online is the first step toward a high-paying, in-demand career.

Interested in learning more about our Online InformationTechnology programs? Click here to find out how to obtain yourInformation Technology Degree completely online!

All career and salary information is courtesy of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)unless otherwise stated. King University has a reputation for academic excellence thatgoes beyond the classroom. Our online degree programs position graduates for anexceptional career or continued educational opportunities. More than 80 percent of Kinggraduate survey respondents indicated they received admission to their first choice ofgraduate programs. Make an investment in your future with an online degree from KingUniversitu.

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