Difference between Management Information Systems and Computer Information Systems

[tsimmns]

Any IT gurus on here care to weigh in on this and if one is better than the other?

[justlearning123]

Any IT gurus on here care to weigh in on this and if one is better than the other?

Historically, MIS was for business majors, and CIS was for scientists. Nowadays, things are more blurred. MIS would still be more about data, systems, databases, and reporting - things computer users would care about. CIS would be more about algorithms, theories, low-level programming, and math - things programmers would care about. MIS is *managing* information systems, while CIS is computer *science*.

[ajs1976]

you really have to look at the requirements of the individual program. One schools MIS may look like another schools CIS and another schools CIS may be similiar to another schools CS.

typically MIS will have more business classes. The specific MIS classes may be MIS, intro to computer systems, database fundamentals, intro to networking, low level programming, computer applications for accounting, systems analysis, project management. probably 4-5 of those put together with 4-5 business classes.

CIS would probably include all or most of the MIS classes I listed above. More information systems and less business. another programming class or two and some math.

CS would have into to programming I & II, data structures, and more advanced programming and math classes.

What are your career goals?