What you are experiencing is the attempt by some colleges to pass off an IT or CIS major as CS. (I am starting to see this more and more.) Computer Science involves a lot of theory with some practical knowledge like a programming class here and networking class there. The key word in CS is "science." Just like other scientists you will be expected to experiment on your own and learn. Scientist create or discover, they don't just learn.
CIS tends to be CS without the math and some business courses thrown in to make up the difference. It is more for management in the computer industry. These people will usually wind up being your boss. Most CS grads don't won't to worry about profit margins and "risk accountability" reports. CIS also focuses on computers in business environments. You won't normally be building your own database software, but you will be implementing a purchased program.
IT seems to be what you are taking. It is a vocational cirriculumn. Meant to make you a productive member of the community right out of college. Nothing wrong with IT; I infact am taking some IT courses since I have to work and go to school at the same time. I am majoring in Computer Science, but IT courses give me some skills to at least keep out of the unemployment line. IT has the advantage of knowing something useful from the start. In the early stages, you might have a leg up on the CS graduate who has no exact knowledge of a Windows networking environment.
What you need to do is ask yourself which career path you want. If you want to develop software and/or have a true love for computers, go with CS. The love of computers will keep you learning way after the classes are over. If you want to be a manager or some who helps run the company, study CIS. If you just want to have a nice paying job go with IT.
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What you are experiencing is the attempt by some colleges to pass off an IT or CIS major as CS. (I am starting to see this more and more.) Computer Science involves a lot of theory with some practical knowledge like a programming class here and networking class there. The key word in CS is "science." Just like other scientists you will be expected to experiment on your own and learn. Scientist create or discover, they don't just learn. CIS tends to be CS without the math and some business courses thrown in to make up the difference. It is more for management in the computer industry. These people will usually wind up being your boss. Most CS grads don't won't to worry about profit margins and "risk accountability" reports. CIS also focuses on computers in business environments. You won't normally be building your own database software, but you will be implementing a purchased program. IT seems to be what you are taking. It is a vocational cirriculumn. Meant to make you a productive member of the community right out of college. Nothing wrong with IT; I infact am taking some IT courses since I have to work and go to school at the same time. I am majoring in Computer Science, but IT courses give me some skills to at least keep out of the unemployment line. IT has the advantage of knowing something useful from the start. In the early stages, you might have a leg up on the CS graduate who has no exact knowledge of a Windows networking environment. What you need to do is ask yourself which career path you want. If you want to develop software and/or have a true love for computers, go with CS. The love of computers will keep you learning way after the classes are over. If you want to be a manager or some who helps run the company, study CIS. If you just want to have a nice paying job go with IT.