Frequently Asked Questions
Answer: The BIS (Business Information Systems) major at Mississippi State is a business- and computer-oriented major that prepares you for a career in information technology, working in a business environment. Most frequently, a BIS graduate begins his or her work career as a computer programmer, frequently then moving into a systems analyst, database administrator, or management position. Called BIS at Mississippi State, this major might be called MIS (Management Information Systems) or CIS (Computer Information Systems) at other universities. We believe that the B in BIS is important, and we like the name BIS. MSU's BIS program prepares student to support the entire business, from low-level, structured, transaction-processing systems up through high-level, unstructured, executive information systems. The BIS curriculum is business-oriented, and prepares graduates to understand the whole business. The curriculum also, as you would expect, gives students the technical skills that will be needed to support that whole business.
Answer: There is no difference. At Mississippi State, this business-oriented computing major is called Business Information Systems. At some other schools it might be called Management Information Systems (MIS) or Computer Information Systems (CIS), but those majors are all the same. Only the name is different.
Answer: The following is taken from a brochure distributed by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Association for Information Systems (AIS), and Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers (IEEE): Do you enjoy finding better ways to get things done using computers? Are you interested in understanding how computers can make businesses work better? Information Systems (IS) specialists design computing solutions that provide companies, non-profit organizations, and governments with the information they need to achieve their goals. IS employs computer systems to implement and improve the way organizations work. IS professionals combine their knowledge of computing and organizations to bridge the gap between technical and business specialists. Most IS programs are found in business schools, and may go by such names as management information systems, computer information systems, or business information systems. All IS degrees combine business and computing topics, but the emphasis between technical and organizational subjects varies. Do you love to solve puzzles? Invent new ways of using computers? Or exchange theories about new ideas? Computer Science (CS) spans the range from theory to practice to cutting-edge inventions. CS makes graduates aware of new technologies and new ideas and is a foundation for many different computing careers. Computer scientists do varied work. They design and build software and create efficient solutions to real-worl problems in fields such as robotics, computer-enhanced vision, and digital forensics. Individual computer science programs allow students to specialize in one or more of these fields. Do you want to help build the next generation of mobile phones, tiny media players, and even high-tech clothing? Or create new and more advanced medical tools? Computer Engineering (CE) students study the design of digital hardware and software, including communications systems, computers, and devices such as phones, MP3 players, DVRs, alarm systems, x-ray machines, and even laser surgical tools. Increasingly, CE specialists integrate customized hardware and embedded software to improve existing technologies and invent new ones. The brochure goes on to provide a good example of the difference in the focus of these three areas: Finding Information on the Web Most people use search engines such as Google and Yahoo every day. But search engines for the web could be much better than they are today. How about searching for objects in pictures? Or sounds? Scenes in movies? The web is constantly growing. Search engines need to learn what information means. * Computer scientists devise revolutionary approaches that make search possible. * Software engineers develop the products that dig up results. * Specialists in information systems design solutions that allow search companies to sell relevant advertisements. * Computer engineers design complex, high-performance networks to cope with immense quantities of data. Search technology has a long way to go, and it will take many computing professionals to make that happen. Credits: http://computingcareers.acm.org
Answer: Yes! AITP is a national organization consisting of information systems students and professionals providing information and interpersonal communication regarding the field. You can learn more about AITP within this site.
