Computer and information science

Last updated
A lab in which computer and information science (CIS) is studied CISLab.jpg
A lab in which computer and information science (CIS) is studied

Computer and information science [1] [2] [3] (CIS; also known as information and computer science) is a field that emphasizes both computing and informatics, upholding the strong association between the fields of information sciences and computer sciences and treating computers as a tool rather than a field.

Contents

Information science is one with a long history,[ citation needed ] unlike the relatively 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 [4] 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 algorithms 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.

Information science and computing began to converge in the 1950s and 1960s, as information scientists started to realize the many ways computers would improve information storage and retrieval.

Terminology

Due to the distinction between computers and computing, some of the research groups refer to computing or datalogy. The French refer to computer science as the term informatique . The term information and communications technology (ICT), refers to how humans communicate with using machines and computers, making a distinction from information and computer science, which is how computers use and gain information.

Informatics is also distinct from computer science, which encompasses the study of logic and low-level computing issues.

Education

Universities may confer degrees with a major in computer and information 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 systems in 2015.

They are:

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.

Areas of information and computer science

Due to the nature of this field, many topics are also shared with computer science and information systems.

The discipline of Information and Computer Science spans a vast range of areas from basic computer science theory (algorithms and computational logic) to in depth analysis of data manipulation and use within technology. [6]

Programming theory

The process of taking a given algorithm and encoding it into a language that can be understood and executed by a computer. There are many different types of programming languages and various different types of computers, however, they all have the same goal: to turn algorithms into machine code. [7]

Popular programming languages used within the academic study of CIS include, but are not limited to: Java, Python, C#, C++, Perl, Ruby, Pascal, Swift, Visual Basic.

Information and information systems

The academic study of software and hardware systems that process large quantities and data, support large scale data management and how data can be used. [8] This is where the field is unique from the standard study of computer science. The area of information systems focuses on the networks of hardware and software that are required to process, manipulate and distribute such data.

Computer systems and organisations

The process of analysing computer architecture and various logic circuits. This involves looking at low level computer processes at bit level computation. This is an in-depth look into the hardware processing of a computational system, involving looking at the basic structure of a computer and designing such systems. [9] This can also involve evaluating complex circuit diagrams, and being able to construct these to solve a main problem.

The main purpose behind this area of study is to achieve an understanding of how computers function on a basic level, often through tracing machine operations.

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. [10] 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. [11] 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, [12] 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. [13] 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. [14]

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. [15] 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). [16] 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. [17] 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. [18]

According to the National Careers Service an Information Scientist can expect to earn £24,000+ per year as a starting salary. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Computing</span> Activity involving calculations or computing machinery

Computing is any goal-oriented activity requiring, benefiting from, or creating computing machinery. It includes the study and experimentation of algorithmic processes, and the development of both hardware and software. Computing has scientific, engineering, mathematical, technological, and social aspects. Major computing disciplines include computer engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, data science, information systems, information technology, and software engineering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Computer science</span> Study of computation

Computer science is the study of computation, information, and automation. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines to applied disciplines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Programmer</span> Person who writes computer software

A programmer, computer programmer or coder is an author of computer source code – someone with skill in computer programming.

Software engineering is a field within computer science focused on designing, developing, testing, and maintaining of software applications. It involves applying engineering principles and computer programming expertise to develop software systems that meet user needs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Computer engineering</span> Engineering discipline specializing in the design of computer hardware

Computer engineering is a branch of electrical engineering that integrates several fields of electrical engineering, electronics engineering and computer science required to develop computer hardware and software. Computer engineering is referred to as Electrical and Computer engineering OR Computer Science and Engineering at some universities

Computer science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their implementation and application in computer systems. One well known subject classification system for computer science is the ACM Computing Classification System devised by the Association for Computing Machinery.

An information system (IS) is a formal, sociotechnical, organizational system designed to collect, process, store, and distribute information. From a sociotechnical perspective, information systems comprise four components: task, people, structure, and technology. Information systems can be defined as an integration of components for collection, storage and processing of data, comprising digital products that process data to facilitate decision making and the data being used to provide information and contribute to knowledge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theoretical computer science</span> Subfield of computer science and mathematics

Theoretical computer science is a subfield of computer science and mathematics that focuses on the abstract and mathematical foundations of computation.

A computer scientist is a scientist who specializes in the academic study of computer science.

The University of California, Berkeley College of Engineering is the public engineering school of the University of California, Berkeley. Established in 1931, it occupies fourteen buildings on the northeast side of the main campus and also operates the 150-acre (61-hectare) Richmond Field Station. It is also considered highly selective and is consistently ranked among the top engineering schools in both the nation and the world.

Computational science, also known as scientific computing, technical computing or scientific computation (SC), is a division of science, and more specifically the Computer Sciences, which uses advanced computing capabilities to understand and solve complex physical problems. While this discussion typically extenuates into Visual Computation, this research field of study will typically include the following research categorizations.

The Bachelor of Computer Science is a bachelor's degree for completion of an undergraduate program in computer science. In general, computer science degree programs emphasize the mathematical and theoretical foundations of computing.

NUST School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (NUST-SEECS), formerly NUST Institute of Information Technology, is a constituent school in Islamabad, Pakistan. It was created on a self-financed basis in April 1999 as a constituent college of National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan (NUST). The formation of NUST was prompted by the growing need for high-caliber IT instruction in the country and the necessity for the institution to establish its own IT division.

The School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. is a technical school which specializes in engineering, technology, communications, and transportation. The school is located on the main campus of the George Washington University and offers both undergraduate and graduate programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences</span>

The Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences, also known colloquially as UCI's School of ICS or simply the Bren School, is an academic unit of the University of California, Irvine (UCI), and the only dedicated school of computer science in the University of California system. Consisting of nearly three thousand students, faculty, and staff, the school has three buildings in the southeast section of UCI's undergraduate campus, and maintains student body and research affiliations throughout UCI.

The Diploma in Computer Science is a diploma offered by several post-secondary institutions:

A Business and Computing is a dual degree program offered jointly by some computing and business schools. The program generally lasts four-five years instead of seven-eight years to complete separate the two degrees and results in the candidate earning both a Bachelor of Business degree and a Bachelor of Computing degree. Graduating Business and Computing students may choose to work on computing/technical matter, or enter the business world, or even enjoy the gray area between business and computing fields such as IT security officer, IT consultant, etc. Even though a majority of Business and Computing graduate from a single university, there are people who earn these degrees from different universities.

Informatics is the study of computational systems. According to the ACM Europe Council and Informatics Europe, informatics is synonymous with computer science and computing as a profession, in which the central notion is transformation of information. In some cases, the term "informatics" may also be used with different meanings, e.g. in the context of social computing, or in context of library science.

A Bachelor of Science in Information Technology,, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in information technology. The degree is normally required in order to work in the information technology industry.

This glossary of computer science is a list of definitions of terms and concepts used in computer science, its sub-disciplines, and related fields, including terms relevant to software, data science, and computer programming.

References

  1. ↑ "Master of Science in Engineering in Computer and Information Science". University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  2. ↑ "Computer and Information Science < University of Michigan-Dearborn". University of Michigan-Dearborn. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  3. ↑ "Computer and Information Science - The Ohio State University". Ohio State University. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  4. ↑ "Data Mining: What is Data Mining?". Archived from the original on 2015-11-18. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  5. ↑ "QS World University Rankings by Subject 2015 – Computer Science & Information Systems".
  6. ↑ "What is Computer Science?". Archived from the original on 2017-06-12.
  7. ↑ "What Is Programming? – Problem Solving with Algorithms and Data Structures". interactivepython.org. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  8. ↑ "information system". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  9. ↑ "What is Computer Architecture? – Definition from Techopedia". Techopedia.com. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  10. ↑ "What is a computer algorithm?". HowStuffWorks. 5 September 2001. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  11. ↑ "What can I do With My Degree?". Prospects. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  12. ↑ "Computer science graduates: why do they top unemployment tables?". The Guardian. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  13. ↑ "A Push to Boost Computer Science Learning Even at an Early Age". NPR.org. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  14. ↑ "Teaching our children to code: a quiet revolution". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  15. ↑ "What is Computer Science". Archived from the original on 2017-06-12. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  16. ↑ "Starting Salaries for New College Graduates" (PDF). Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  17. ↑ "Computer science major ranks No. 8 for salary potential". Network World. Retrieved 2015-11-19.[ permanent dead link ]
  18. ↑ "8 Entry-Level Computer Science Jobs that are Actually Hiring!". www.rasmussen.edu. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  19. ↑ "Job Titles – Information Scientist" . Retrieved 2015-12-10.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.