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Computer Science vs Information Technology in college

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  • 10-01-2010 3:23am
    #1
    unreggd
    Registered Users Posts: 3,835 ✭✭✭


    Hey

    Was just wonderin what exactly is the difference between these 2 degrees?

    All I found online is that Computer Science is creating new software, and IT would be maintaining systems already there

    If I do a degree in Computer Science, could I still do work more related to IT?

    My college only has the 2 years cert course in Computing, so if I stay on to the degree, it would be in Computer Science

    Thanks


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    #2
    OneStop
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13 ✭OneStop


    I too would be interested to know the difference...can anybody offer any input?


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    #3
    axer
    Registered Users Posts: 5,517 ✭✭✭axer


    My understanding is Computer Science is very programming heavy where as IT would be programming with some networking/infrastructure/computer theory.


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    #4
    theone
    Registered Users Posts: 362 ✭✭theone


    To me Computer science is more theory based and an IT degree is more practical and hands on.


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    #5
    donaghs
    Registered Users Posts: 2,743 ✭✭✭donaghs


    The best way to find the difference is to look at the course modules. I remember Computer Science in UCD had a huge array of courses, from Computer Architecture (hardware) to Software Development. I don't think there's a specific definition for either "Computer Science" or "Information Technology" and you could find identical course work in both.

    Looking at DIT School of Computing Website http://[URL="http://www.comp.dit.ie/website07/courses.php"]www.comp.dit.ie/website07/courses.php[/URL], they have 3 IT degree courses. Their "Computer Science" degree blurb seems to suggest that it is slanted towards Programming, and their "Computing" degree a mix of programming & System/Network support. Their "Information Tech." degree blurb is far more vague. So it comes down to looking at the actual course modules, and if possible speaking with students, graduates or staff.


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    #6
    Casey_81
    Registered Users Posts: 246 ✭✭Casey_81


    It all depends on the college and the Faculty that the degree is offered in. For example, if an IT degree was offered under the school/faculty of engineering then you could expect a more hands on practical based degree than for example if an IT degree was offered under the school/faculty of business or humanities.


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    #7
    fguihen
    Registered Users Posts: 669 ✭✭✭fguihen


    Back when i was applying for courses the difference was that Computer science was extreemly theory based. You were learning about things like OS construction, detailed analysis of protocols and other very specialized areas.

    This is all good to know, but there is little practical experience gained.

    You learn about these topics, but on a more limited scale doing a course in Information Technology, but you also get your hands dirty from day one. Programming, projects, networking, subnetting, programming routers etc etc etc.

    I guess, if you want to go into research, the computer science would be better(this is not an absolute statement though) but for a better understanding and appriciation of what is required in a real world job, the IT degree would be in the lead.


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