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IMS (Information Systems and Management) or CS?

C

cicisey

n00b
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Sep 27, 2013
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I would like to learn the difference (such as career options) between these two different majors. Although I read the handbooks of each these majors, I am still confused. I cannot decide which one I should choose. Would it be difficult for someone to major in IMS if he or she does not know much about business and management? What I am personally looking for is a major which focuses on programming and math since I love math and programming and I feel like I am good at both. But I am afraid of failing if I choose CS since people say it is a very difficult major.

What type of differences do you think are there? Which type of person chooses which major?

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The starting points between the two tracks have a different emphasis. Some people are adamant in their decision in selecting a particular track; others jump tracks. It's really on a per-person basis.

Take an opportunity to talk to multiple professors about the subject matter, the classroom pace, and the out-of-class habits of students that do well. That may yield some more insight about the commitment level you would be expected to show. You can always re-assess your desire after taking each CS or MIS class.

Aside from programming, do you have any hobbies or major interests that you could spend several days working on? Could any of those be helped by some small, but personally significant, application to help in a useful way?


Side notes...
- I've met plenty of developers that have moved between the two tracks without a problem. It really comes down to learning fundamentals, and being willing to dive a few layers deeper than your current understanding.
- PM a mod to move this to the "Webmastering and Programming" forum.
 
CS has more emphasis on math, science and programming and therefore harder and more prestigious than IMS.

With that said it really depends on your career choice. If you plan to get into the IT field like network, security, server, etc. and management then IMS will be do whereas product design, engineering and development favor CS.

IMS is better than no degree but if you have the time pursue CS since it opens more doors of opportunity.
 
mi7chy said:
CS has more emphasis on math, science and programming and therefore harder and more prestigious than IMS.

With that said it really depends on your career choice. If you plan to get into the IT field like network, security, server, etc. and management then IMS will be do whereas product design, engineering and development favor CS.

IMS is better than no degree but if you have the time pursue CS since it opens more doors of opportunity.
Click to expand...
Career choice has not even been defined yet by the OP. Tossing in subjective analysis about "doors of opportunities" is quite ridiculous and better left alone for now.
 
CS
1. tons of people have IMS degree's because they can't handle the math of a CS degree, 2. cs degree literally can do anything.

Now that being said, you can still do anything with an IMS degree with the right experience and selling yourself well, but with CS its a little easier and easier still when it comes to actual development work which usually pays better.

I work for government, so my experience is very limited. Basically any IT degree usually gets stuck in systems or network, which is fine. But I've done systems, network and development work and the development work has consistently paid me 45% more than the others. Currently I'm making literally 62.5% more than the systems people here. Also, (again just limited to government) everywhere i have worked the systems people have consistently not known how to do their actual jobs which, if you do know, means you pick up and do the work of 4 or 5 people and don't get appropriately compensated for it.
 
Having actually done about a year in an IMS program myself (I switched to Logistics and Operations Management after I couldn't handle some of the programing parts) I would advise on the following:

If you want to be a programmer, do CS.

If you want to do business that involves some programing or IT management, go IMS. IMS is basicly a generic IT business degree.

You could also get a minor in business to go with CS if you really want to be a programer but want some business background.

There are many more job opportunities for someone with a CS degree than a IMS degree. CS also pays more, like 50% more. However the job market seems to be more stable for a business related degree. Personally, if I wanted to write programs for a living, I wouldn't do anything other than CS.

One piece of advice: Never not pick a major because someone else says that it is difficult or too hard. Pick it because you looked at the required and optional classes and think, "Hay, I would love to do at least a good portion of those things for the rest of my working life." Also try different classes to see if you will like them or not, as that is exactly how I found out about my current degree. If you discover that the major you choose isn't right for you, then change it to something else. We don't all get it right the first time. (see below for example)

BTW my background in college: Ceramic Engineering (didn't work for me) -> IT Networking (Associate's degree) -> IMS -> LOM (Bachelor's + minor in International Business). Only took me 10 years :eek:.
 
Definitely CS. You'll thank me when you go to job fairs. Demand for CS majors is greater than MIS from the job fairs I've seen.

Major in CS, minor in MIS. That is my recommendation. While CS is harder, it comes with greater rewards (i.e. easier to find a job in this field).
 
Thank you so much for your answers/ideas.

- CS sounds good but I will not choose it for various reasons. The main reason is that the school which I apply for has a very very tough CS program.

- I believe that I am a math and computer person. I really really love math and programming. Even tough I really love them, I will not apply for CS because I am anxious about school's tough workload.

- What I am going to do is apply for Information Management and Systems, and I will probably try to get some online courses after or during my studies. Or I may try to take some CS course as elective courses.

- I don't want to earn a lot of money. Sufficient money to keep living is enough for me :D

Again, thank you so much for replying. :)
 
I teach a lot of CS, CIT, and MIS students. It's really interesting to watch the mix and personalities of students who gravitate towards each major. I looked through the IMS curriculum and it seems more like a CIS/CIT type degree in terms of the amount of technical classes you will take. Which seems like a good fit with what you are looking for regardless.

No matter what you pick, you need to realize that a college degree today is no longer sufficient. Internships, volunteer work, student organizations, anything you can pick up early to show work experience, application of knowledge in your field, or initiative and people skills are a big plus for prospective employers.

Good luck!
 
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Edited due to private information. Please contact by email.
 
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