Week 2

Compare the topics and methods of the computing disciplines.

There are five types of computer disciplines under the main heading Information Technology, ICT or Computing. They are as follows;

CS - computer science

SE - software engineering

IS - information system

CS - cognitive science

CE - computer engineering

Computer science is known as the mother of computational disciplines. It teaches about theory of computing. With the mathematical concepts of computation and information, computer science is specialized in developing new ideas and designing of computing systems. Some of the mathematical concepts are logic, algorithm and functions. A good example that shows computer science has been used is the chip that we use in our modern technology.

Software engineering is a software aspect. It applies the principles of computer science. Its basically about process, system required engineering, software validations, software testing and maintenance of software.

Information system, concentrates on two wide areas which are the information systems function and systems development. It support management processes and has the responsibility to track new information technology. It deals with all aspects of organizations. Eg: Texco promotion system

Cognitive science mainly involves many disciplines. It’s the study of intelligence, what it does and how it works. Cognitive science translates into computer procedure. Eg: Robots.

Computer engineering is the study of the combination of hardware, software, communication and the interaction among them. It mainly concentrates on the design and the constructions of computers and computer based systems. 

“Most CS people laugh at MIS/IT people,” and “MIS/IT people make more money and manage the CS folks.”

I agree with this statement. According to my opinion and from what I’ve heard is that most of the IT people are the ones who are the CEOs and head managers of big companies. The CS people are under these CEOs working hard for them by playing the main roles in the company’s work. But that does not mean that they get paid more. IT people have the knowledge of a wider area in computing, but the CS people are knowledgeable only in a specific field like programing. And that is why IT people are the head people in organizations and CS people work under them.

On the statement that CS people laugh at IT people, I think this is because CS people think that their job or field in programing is more important than what the IT people are doing. To a certain extent this can be true, because computer programing is a really difficult task to do and only experts or people with great knowledge and practice can do this. They do not realize that IT people too have the knowledge in general, both hardware and software. The only difference is CS is more specific and IT is more general; the basic of everything.

Therefore I think it’s wrong for CS people to underestimate IT people. Both play important roles in their own fields. And people should accept the fact that IT people make more money than CS people. This, people don’t realize because their main focus is on what CS people do, their difficult tasks and the results of them.