The difference between Information Technology and Computer Science

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Technology plays an important role in our lives, driving innovation in communication, research, healthcare, commerce, education and many other fields. That versatility can make information technology (IT) and computer science appealing subjects for academic study.

Wondering how a degree in IT or computer science can help you develop the skills to pursue your goals? Ken Moser, faculty from the Capella School of Business, Technology, and Health Care Administration describes the differences and areas of interest for both degrees.

 

What is the difference between IT and computer science?

While there’s overlap in how both fields intersect with technology, they differ primarily in their focus and responsibilities.

IT centers around the practical application of technology in different settings, and IT professionals promote business processes by helping support technology systems that are reliable, secure and efficient. They may also work with security privileges, Moser explains: “[They manage] who has access on the outside to publicly facing webpages or other resources or assets. But also access for people inside the company – preventing insider threats.”

Meanwhile, computer science is intended more for software engineering – the development of computer programs and applications. “If you’re using any type of software, web browser or applications within an operating system, those are created by computer scientists,” Moser says. “Computer science professionals gain exposure to an array of programming languages and programming technologies.”

Comparing the two, Moser breaks it down. “On the computer science side, professionals may be more likely to do front-end development with user interface and user experience implementations. On the IT side, professionals are more likely to work on hidden infrastructure, back-end services and database management.”

Learn more about Capella’s IT and computer science programs:

• BS in Information Technology
• BS in Computer Science
• MS in Information Technology
• Doctor of Information Technology

 

Why choose IT or computer science?

You might be wondering whether an IT or computer science degree is a better fit for you. When deciding which is right for you, Moser suggests examining where your interests lie.

“If you’re interested in how computing systems are integrated together, how programming languages work and translating solutions into computer code, computer science may be the route you would want to follow.

“If you’re interested in cybersecurity, maintenance and support of systems and navigating network security, IT may be the way to go.”

That being said, there is some overlap, such as in the BS in IT, Software Development in an Internet of Things Space specialization. Take time to research possible applications for both degrees to see which fits your professional goals.

 

How do technology trends intersect with IT and computer science?

As technologies continue to evolve, it’s important to understand how the fields of IT and computer science adapt to meet new needs and challenges. Among current trends in technology is advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).

Moser explains that computer science professionals who work with AI would develop an understanding of how machine learning algorithms are constructed and assist with the training processes for those algorithms. On the other hand, IT professionals working with AI would focus more on the deployment – such as within an organization – as well as managing the security of datasets used to train the model.

Other trends in IT center around security updates. As computer programs and operations become more sophisticated, the cybersecurity needs for those systems become more complex. IT professionals should be prepared to meet those challenges for organizations with security measures that help keep them protected.

One way to remain up to date on how technologies are being applied across industries is to build your knowledge with books related to the field.

Learn more about information technology and computer science programs from Capella University.