Computer and information science: Difference between revisions

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{{refimprove|date=November 2015}}

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[[File:CISLab.jpg |thumb |393px |A lab in which ''computer and information science'' (CIS) is studied.]]

'''InformationComputer and computerinformation science'''<ref>{{Cite ('''ICS''')web or|title=Master '''computerof Science in Engineering in Computer and informationInformation Science |url=https://www.cis.upenn.edu/graduate/program-offerings/mse-in-cis/ |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Computer and Information Science < University of Michigan-Dearborn |url=https://catalog.umd.umich.edu/undergraduate/college-engineering-computer-science'''/computer-information-science/ |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=University of Michigan-Dearborn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Computer and Information Science - The Ohio State University |url=https://undergrad.osu.edu/majors-and-academics/majors/detail/38 |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=Ohio State University}}</ref> ('''CIS'''); (pluralalso forms,known i.e.,as ''sciences'',information mayand alsocomputer be usedscience''') is a field that emphasizes ''both'' [[computing]] and [[informatics]], upholding the strong association between the fields of [[information science]]s and [[computer science]]s and treating [[computer]]s as a tool rather than a field.

''Information science'' is one with a [[Information science#Early beginnings|long history]],{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}} unlike the relatively [[History of computer science|very young]] field of computer science, and is primarily concerned with gathering, storing, disseminating, sharing and protecting any and all forms of information. It is a broad field, covering a myriad of different areas but is often referenced alongside computer science because of the incredibly useful nature of computers and computer programs in helping those studying and doing research in the field – particularly in helping to analyse data<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/faculty/jason.frand/teacher/technologies/palace/datamining.htm {{Dead|title=Data Mining: What is Data Mining? link|access-date=February2015-11-19 |archive-date=2015-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118045603/http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/faculty/jason.frand/teacher/technologies/palace/datamining.htm |url-status=dead 2022}}</ref> and in spotting patterns too broad for a human to intuitively perceive. While information science is sometimes confused with information theory, the two have vastly different subject matter. Information theory focuses on one particular mathematical concept of information while information science is focused on all aspects of the processes and techniques of information.

''Computer science'', in contrast, is less focused on information and its different states, but more, in a very broad sense, on the use of computers – both in theory and practice – to design and implement [[algorithm]]s in order to aid the processing of information during the different states described above. It has strong foundations in the field of mathematics, as the very first recognised practitioners of the field were renowned mathematicians such as [[Alan Turing]].

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==Education==

Universities may confer degrees ofwith ICSa major in computer and CISinformation science, not to be confused with a more specific [[Bachelor of Computer Science]] or respective graduate computer science degrees.

The [[QS World University Rankings]] is one of the most widely recognised and distinguished university comparisons. They ranked the top 10 universities for ''computer science'' and ''[[information system]]s'' in 2015.

They are:

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* The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

* Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich)

* Princeton University<ref>{{Cite web |url=httphttps://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2015/computer-science-information-systems#sorting=rank+region=+country=+faculty=+stars=false+search= |title=QS World University Rankings by Subject 2015 – Computer Science & Information Systems |date= |access-date= |website= |publisher= |last= |first=}}</ref>

A Computer Information Science degree gives students both network and computing knowledge which is needed to design, develop, and assist information systems which helps to solve business problems and to support business problems and to support business operations and decision making at a managerial level also.

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===Machines, languages, and computation===

This is the study into fundamental computer algorithms, which are the basis to computer programs. Without algorithms, no computer programs would exist.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is a computer algorithm? |url=httphttps://computer.howstuffworks.com/question717.htm |website=HowStuffWorks |date=5 September 2001 |access-date=2015-11-19}}</ref> This also involves the process of looking into various mathematical functions behind computational algorithms, basic theory and functional (low level) programming.

In an academic setting, this area would introduce the fundamental mathematical theorems and functions behind theoretical computer science which are the building blocks for other areas in the field. Complex topics such as; proofs, algebraic functions and sets will be introduced during studies of CIS.

== Developments ==

Information and computer science is a field that is rapidly developing with job prospects for students being extremely promising with 75.7% of graduates gaining employment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What can I do With My Degree? |url=httphttps://www.prospects.ac.uk/options_computer_science.htm |website=Prospects |access-date=2015-11-19}}</ref> Also the IT industry employs one in twenty of the workforce with it predicted to increase nearly five times faster than the average of the UK and between 2012 and 2017 more than half a million people will be needed within the industry and the fact that nine out of ten tech firms are suffering from candidate shortages which is having a negative impact on their business as it delays the creation and development of new products,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Computer science graduates: why do they top unemployment tables? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2013/sep/16/computer-science-graduates-unemployment-bme |website=The Guardian |date=16 September 2013 |access-date=2015-11-19}}</ref> and it's predicted in the US that in the next decade there will be more than one million jobs in the technology sector than computer science graduates to fill them.<ref>{{Cite news |title=A Push to Boost Computer Science Learning Even at an Early Age |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2014/02/17/271151462/a-push-to-boost-computer-science-learning-even-at-an-early-age |newspaper=NPR.org |access-date=2015-11-19}}</ref> Because of this programming is now being taught at an earlier age with an aim to interest students from a young age into computer and information science hopefully leading more children to study this at a higher level. For example, children in England will now be exposed to computer programming at the age of 5 due to an updated national curriculum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Teaching our children to code: a quiet revolution |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10410036/Teaching-our-children-to-code-a-quiet-revolution.html |website=The Telegraph |access-date=2015-11-19}}</ref>

==Employment==

Due to the wide variety of jobs that now involve computer and information science related tasks, it is difficult to provide a comprehensive list of possible jobs in this area, but some of the key areas are artificial intelligence, software engineering and computer networking and communication. Work in this area also tends to require sufficient understanding of mathematics and science.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is Computer Science |url=https://www.cs.mtu.edu/~john/whatiscs.html |access-date=2015-11-19 |archive-date=2017-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612073627/http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~john/whatiscs.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Moreover, jobs that having a CIS degree can lead to, include: systems analyst, network administrator, system architect, information systems developer, web programmer, or software developer.

The earning potential for CIS graduates is quite promising. A 2013 survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that the average starting salary for graduates who earned a degree in a computer related field was $59,977, up 4.3% from the prior year. This is higher than other popular degrees such as business ($54,234), education ($40,480) and math and sciences ($42,724).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Starting Salaries for New College Graduates |url=httphttps://www.naceweb.org/uploadedFiles/NACEWeb/Research/Salary_Survey/Reports/salary-survey-april-2013-executive-summary.pdf |access-date=2015-11-26}}</ref> Furthermore, Payscale ranked 129 college degrees based on their graduates earning potential with engineering, math, science, and technology fields dominating the ranking. With eight computer related degrees appearing among the top 30. With the lowest starting salary for these jobs being $49,900.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Computer science major ranks No. 8 for salary potential |url=http://www.networkworld.com/article/2169997/data-center/computer-science-major-ranks-no--8-for-salary-potential.htm |website=Network World |access-date=2015-11-19 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> A Rasmussen College article describes various jobs CIS graduates may obtain with software applications developers at the top making a median income of $98,260.<ref>{{Cite web |url=httphttps://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/technology/blog/entry-level-computer-science-jobs/ |title=8 Entry-Level Computer Science Jobs that are Actually Hiring! |website=www.rasmussen.edu |access-date=2017-02-28}}</ref>

According to the National Careers Service an Information Scientist can expect to earn £24,000+ per year as a starting salary.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Job Titles – Information Scientist |url=https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/informationscientist.aspx |access-date=2015-12-10}}</ref>

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[[Category:Information science]]

[[Category:ComputerSubfields of computer science]]