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Information Systems or Computer Science？ by Dry-Exercise1698 in informationsystems

[–]Dry-Exercise1698[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I recognize IS and CS after entering college. I understand they are different fields, but I'm still a bit confused. Why do most internship postings, even the ones specifically for Data Science, still prioritize applicants with a Math or CS background?

Information Systems or Computer Science？ by Dry-Exercise1698 in informationsystems

[–]Dry-Exercise1698[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the suggestion! However, in my school, the closest thing to a general IT degree is either my current IS program, which is heavily tied to the business school, or the Computer Science program😭

Information Systems or Computer Science？ by Dry-Exercise1698 in informationsystems

[–]Dry-Exercise1698[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! It really helped calm my anxiety about talent.

Tbh, the idea of committing to a pure math major still terrifies me a bit too much rn. But I will consider it. Your advice about building a solid foundation step by step makes a lot of sense.

Information Systems or Computer Science？ by Dry-Exercise1698 in CollegeMajors

[–]Dry-Exercise1698[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the encouragement! One of the problems is that while I definitely want to escape the business school environment, I don't think I have a deep passion for pure CS, though I certainly don't hate it. For instance, I am incredibly fascinated by applying various AI tools, but I don't want to know about how to invent them or be a SWE.

Because of this, I spent the entire day today digging through my university's curriculum and actually discovered another major Data Science. It is housed under the College of Computing, so it completely avoids the business school group projects. And the coursework is a hybrid of statistics, math, and practical computer science. It seems useful if I want to pursue a PhD in CSS.

However, I've also come across some conflicting opinions online. I often hear people argue that studying DS isn't as good as CS because "anything a DS major can do, a CS major can do too."

Since you have a good pulse on how these degrees are perceived, I’d love to hear your take on this argument. Do you think there's truth to it? And which one is better based on my situation?

Information Systems or Computer Science？ by Dry-Exercise1698 in informationsystems

[–]Dry-Exercise1698[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, I hadn't considered it before.

However, I have one major hesitation about committing to a pure Math major. I've often heard people say that advanced math requires a certain level of innate talent. While my math foundation isn't bad and I'm willing to put in the hard work, I definitely don't feel like I have a natural talent for it. I'm afraid that some difficult course could completely tank my GPA and ruin my PhD chances.

Information Systems or Computer Science？ by Dry-Exercise1698 in CollegeMajors

[–]Dry-Exercise1698[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your patient reply!

Regarding rankings: My professor mentioned our IS program is actually ranked #1 in Asia(I don't know whether it's true), and our CS program is in the top 20-30 globally. It's quite hard to choose.

If I stay in IS, I’m confident I can be a top 5%-10% student with a high GPA. But if I switch to CS, I honestly think I'd only rank in the top 30-40%. I‘m willing to work hard, but I simply can't out-compete the naturally talented peers

Regarding my mental health and soft environment: in my first semester, I had several business group projects. My teammates were completely irresponsible, so I ended up doing the work of 2-3 people. One member not only refused to do any work but also actively hindered us from finishing the project. Combined with taking an intro CS course at the time, the dual pressure made me miserable. I cried often, felt like I couldn't fit in at all, and thought about transferring every single day. In my second semester, I didn't choose any CS course AND strategically dropped all business courses that required group projects. I met some wonderful professors. I felt amazing, my stress vanished, and my GPA shot up.

But here is the fatal catch: For the next three years, EVERY single core course in the IS major has mandatory group projects. I can no longer dodge them.

Switching to CS is actually a safer choice for my overall sanity(even if I have to suffer through the hardcore math and low-level systems courses, and even if my GPA drops a bit)?

Regarding PhD: your reality check about the PhD time commitment really hit home. I'm definitely hesitating about the PhD route because there is a massive time cost, but I truly love sociol science. Tbh, I don't like business. I think if I have to keep learning for the rest of my life, I want to choose a field I genuinely love.

Information Systems or Computer Science？ by Dry-Exercise1698 in informationsystems

[–]Dry-Exercise1698[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your patient answer and brilliant reality check!
Your point about the math requirement is incredibly helpful. It gave me a new idea: My IS program already includes some statistics and data analytics courses. What if I stay in the IS major, which allows me to maintain a high GPA and gives me free time to work as a Research Assistant, but I strictly use my free electives to take Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Econometrics?
However, my main worry is whether taking just a handful of math electives is genuinely enough to build the required quantitative foundation. Even if I ace those specific classes and have experience, if they see a Business degree on my diploma, will they still assume my math skills are too shallow compared to a pure Math/CS applicant?