The Changing Face of Computer Science

For another facet of CS education, HangingChad writes "MSNBC is carrying an interesting article on the changing demographics of IT workers and education. The upshot of the article is that older, working adults are taking IT related courses for advancement while comp sci continues to slide as a career choice in college, which the researchers in the article attribute to perception issues." From the article: "In fact, as the technology-dependent United States struggles to stay ahead of the Bangalores of the world, the Higher Education Institute at the University of California-Los Angeles found significantly fewer students at the college level -- 60 percent fewer -- wanted to study computer science in 2004 as opposed to the year 2000. "

Comments

Are we talking about Computer Science?

[Agent Green]

There is a _huge_ difference between CS and IT.

CS is a lot more theoretical, and has a much larger emphasis on algorithms and underlying system operations. It's a hard science and requires, at times, some pretty hard classes. From my point of view, it's a lot more about direct problem solving and analysis than IT.

IT is more about making stuff that CS people write fit together. It's not even close to a pure science or engineering field. I'd liken it to more of an implemntation type of thing. And yes, it's definitely easier than CS.

MIT, CalTech, WPI, etc...this is science. DeVry...that's IT.

I absolutely hate it when people think that the two are one in the same, because they're not.

This isn't to say I would _not_ recommend either IT or CS as a major, however. One thing I do suggest to everyone is to study what you love to do. Going into ANY field for the money is just insane. Also, always think about a minor or doing a double major in something else you like as a backup.