Information Technology and Information Systems is a topic that still has many people confused. This post will explain it all.
What is Information Technology?
Information Technology is a branch of science and engineering dealing with the adoption, design, development, and application of information processing systems. It is considered to be a subset of general technology.
Information Technology did develop in the 20 century. At first, it uses to improve communication systems that would allow people to communicate faster and over greater distances, but then it expanded into computers and the internet.
Information Technology uses for communication, entertainment, business, travel, banking, shopping, transportation, research, education, and much more. It has also made it possible for people to live in places they would never have been able to live before.
Information Technology has improved the quality of life for millions of people all around the world.
What is Information Systems?
Information Systems is a field of study that focuses on developing and using information technology (IT) in support of a firm or government agency’s business activities. The objective is to leverage IT infrastructure to enable business innovation and provide value-added services for customers.
In most cases, Information Systems do associate with businesses and organizations that have information technology departments. These departments are responsible for designing and implementing information systems that will keep a business running efficiently and grow using a network of computers that can communicate with each other over a large area or even around the world.
Information systems work towards achieving business goals by gathering data from relevant sources, processing them through computer programs, and making them available via computer terminals, thus creating value-added services.
Modern-day information systems had evolved from time-honored accounting practices such as double-entry bookkeeping, which dates back to the Renaissance period when merchants started keeping track of their inventories through paper accounting processes.
Courses in Information Systems
A degree in information systems usually includes information theory, hardware and software systems, business ideas, and networks. A few courses from Florida Tech’s BS in Computer Information Systems degree program, for example, include:
- Information System Foundations
- Theory and Design of Networks
- Database Design and Programming
- Java Programming
Degree Programs in Information Systems
Undergraduate and graduate degrees in information systems do offer. Depending on the university, they may be accessible in the College of Business, Technology, or Engineering. Here are a couple of such examples:
- Computer Information Systems Associate of Science
- Computer Information Systems Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Computer Information Systems
Computer Science Programs
Information technology degree programs generally concentrate on the design and security of information technology systems. Courses at Florida Tech’s MS in Information Technology, for example, include:
- The Enterprise’s Security
- Management of Information Security
- Management of Database Systems
- Technology and Innovation Strategic Management
Degrees in Computer Systems Administration and Information Technology
- Undergraduate and graduate degree programs in information technology do offer.
- Associated Degree in Information Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
- Master of Science in Information Technology
Information Technology Career Pathways
A degree in computer or information science often requires a career in information technology, which can lead to various career paths such as cybersecurity, network or database administration, infrastructure management, business intelligence or enterprise resource planning, computer programming, and software development. Some examples of job titles are:
- IT manager
- Analyst in cyber security
- IT architect and systems administrator
