• Congratulations to the Class of 2024 on your results!
    Let us know how you went here
    Got a question about your uni preferences? Ask us here

Information Technology or Engineering (Computer) (1 Viewer)

124

Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2011
Messages
170
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2012
Hi, i was wondering what was the difference between I.T or Engineering with major in Computing

I heard I.T is more of a focus on business while Engineering is more hands on approach you could say but i'm not so sure so just wanted to ask

I'm more of a hardware person rather than software but who knows, i might end up loving writing software or something

I'd want to work in the big companies after graduation and build my way up

Thanks
 

jarrodoliver1

Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Messages
166
Gender
Male
HSC
2013
Engineering is moreso the hardware side of things, whereas computer science is the software. I remember hearing at a lecture, science is the research of it, and engineering is the creation of it.

You are definitely right though, IT is moreso business related. It is a broader degree and allows much more flexibility. How are your mathematical abilities?
 

brent012

Webmaster
Webmaster
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Messages
5,291
Gender
Male
HSC
2011
Software Eng and Comp Sci have been mentioned but when you start talking about hardware you begin creeping into a type of course more similiar to Electrical Engineering - Computer Engineering. It's not installing hardware and stuff but actually designing it. Not sure what employment prospects are for that in Australia, but i've heard the jobs are overseas. Computer Engineering is nothing like IT though, so you might have to put more thought in.
 

MrBrightside

Brightest Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2010
Messages
2,032
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
N/A
Software Eng and Comp Sci have been mentioned but when you start talking about hardware you begin creeping into a type of course more similiar to Electrical Engineering - Computer Engineering. It's not installing hardware and stuff but actually designing it. Not sure what employment prospects are for that in Australia, but i've heard the jobs are overseas. Computer Engineering is nothing like IT though, so you might have to put more thought in.
This is true as far as I know. Would love to be proven wrong on job prospects in Australia for Comp. Eng. though.
 

124

Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2011
Messages
170
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2012
So computer engineering is designing hardware components and what is Information Technology, writing software for businesses?

How about Bachelor of Science in Information Technology? i read the things covered on wikipedia and it sounds interesting. Like database, networking, programming, but what is the difference between B Sc.IT and B IT? How is science incorporated

I did 2U maths only and got band 4, does this mean i'm screwed if i do Comp Engineering? that and possible lack of jobs in aus is worrying so i'm considering I.T. more now + its flexibility in jobs
 
Last edited:

brent012

Webmaster
Webmaster
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Messages
5,291
Gender
Male
HSC
2011
Information Technology = Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. At UTS the difference between B Sc IT and BIT is that BIT is a dedicated coop scholarship course, at other unis i think only one or the other is offered. If you really want to be writing software, software engineering or maybe computer science is the better option. If you only got a band 4 in maths you are not neccesarily screwed, but depending on how lazy you were back in year 12, how much effort you put in at uni and what uni you are going to it may be fine. I only got a band 4 in 2 unit but have passed all first year math subjects for Engineering at UTS - no more dedicated maths subjects in my course. I know people who did 3 and even 4 unit who failed one of the subjects though.
 

Praxiis

New Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2013
Messages
2
Location
Newcastle
Gender
Male
HSC
2011
In my experience, Computer Science degrees generally give you two options - specialise in either designing and building hardware using electrical engineering techniques or developing and implementing software solutions built for those kinds of hardware and work from there specialising in your chosen field (there is still overlap). IT on the other hand covers a much broader range of skills - from Systems and Network Administration or Mobile Application Programming to Business Management/Marketing, Web Design/Development, Games Design/Production, Systems Design/Database Management, and Video Editing/Sound Mixing/Animation.

Depending on your inclinations Information Technology may be a better degree for someone that does not enjoy or have a very strong grasp of maths - as was the case with me. I'm in the second year of a Bachelor of Information Technology (majoring in Digital Media and Entertainment) and honestly couldn't recommend it enough. The course has delivered everything I was looking for and more in spades, giving me a broad range of skills which I can further hone in my own time.

Just some food for thought, apologies I haven't elaborated as much on computer science - I've only done a couple of courses geared toward that kinda thing. If you have any questions concerning BIT feel free to ask :)
 

MrBrightside

Brightest Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2010
Messages
2,032
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
N/A
In my experience, Computer Science degrees generally give you two options - specialise in either designing and building hardware using electrical engineering techniques or developing and implementing software solutions built for those kinds of hardware and work from there specialising in your chosen field (there is still overlap). IT on the other hand covers a much broader range of skills - from Systems and Network Administration or Mobile Application Programming to Business Management/Marketing, Web Design/Development, Games Design/Production, Systems Design/Database Management, and Video Editing/Sound Mixing/Animation.

Depending on your inclinations Information Technology may be a better degree for someone that does not enjoy or have a very strong grasp of maths - as was the case with me. I'm in the second year of a Bachelor of Information Technology (majoring in Digital Media and Entertainment) and honestly couldn't recommend it enough. The course has delivered everything I was looking for and more in spades, giving me a broad range of skills which I can further hone in my own time.

Just some food for thought, apologies I haven't elaborated as much on computer science - I've only done a couple of courses geared toward that kinda thing. If you have any questions concerning BIT feel free to ask :)
Good Response. Also please read this thread regarding 'Maths in IT' if you haven't already. http://community.boredofstudies.org/showthread.php?t=297945
 

124

Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2011
Messages
170
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2012
Wow thanks Praxiis, thats an extremely useful response.
 

donnawhite

New Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
13
Location
Los Angeles
Gender
Female
HSC
2011
Uni Grad
2008
Actually am also confused about the relationship and difference of engineering computer science, Information Technology and BSc in Information Technology. By reading the thread some points are cleared now.
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top