Difference between Computer Science and Information Technology

That is the concern and question of many candidates when coming to consult and register for admission at the Admissions Office of Dai Nam University. So, how are Computer Science and Information Technology different? The following article will help you get the answer.

ACM Classification of Undergraduate Computing Majors

In 2005, the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) divided undergraduate computer science programs into five majors as follows:

• Computer Engineering: focuses on theoretical and applied training related to the design and manufacture of computer hardware.
• Computer Science: focuses on theories and applications of computers such as computation theory, data structures and algorithms, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), data science, big data.
• Software Engineering: theory and application of software production technologies, processes, and software production tools.
• Information System: theory and application of computers in managing information systems of enterprises and organizations
• Information Technology: deploying computer applications in all areas of life.

Each of the five computer majors mentioned above has its own characteristics. However, in Vietnam, we often understand Information Technology (IT) to include all five majors mentioned above. Due to the rapid development of computer technology, by 2020, the International Computer Association added two more majors: Cybersecurity and Data Science.

According to the classification framework of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), information technology is more about the implementation, operation, maintenance, and upkeep of computer systems, while computer science is about the analysis, design, and development of computer systems. According to occupational statistics, the average salary of computer science is higher than that of information technology because it requires more knowledge and skills, and also has more impact on the economy and society.

About the training program

Computer Science training programs help students understand how computers work, and on that basis apply them in analyzing, designing, and developing software systems. Meanwhile, most Information Technology training programs focus on equipping students with the ability to use hardware and software tools to integrate and deploy solutions to meet the needs of storing and processing information for organizations and individuals.

The Computer Science training program of Dai Nam University is built on the basis of compliance with the recommended content standards of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and ITSS (Japanese Standards). These are the highest standards for training in Computer Science.

About training time

The training time for Computer Science lasts from 4.5 - 5 years, Information Technology is 4 years.

Degree after graduation

Upon graduation, Computer Science students receive a Computer Science Engineering degree. Information Technology students receive a Bachelor of Information Technology degree (4 years). To receive a Bachelor of Information Technology degree, students must study an additional 6-12 months.

Job opportunities

The table below shows the Top 10 jobs that Computer Science students can work in after graduation and the corresponding salaries. Survey data for the Japanese and US markets (statistics by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Salary after graduation in Vietnam

The salary of Computer Science depends on the position, work location as well as professional capacity. However, this is considered a major with an "attractive" salary and is especially favored in developed countries. 98% of students have jobs after 1 year of graduation with a common salary of about 10 - 15 million.

Students of the high-quality Computer Science program oriented to the Japanese market will have the opportunity to work in Japan with more competitive salaries.

The salary of a newly graduated Bachelor of Information Technology ranges from 9 - 12 million/month. This income will increase according to ability and experience.

Should I study Computer Science or Information Technology?

Choosing Computer Science or Information Technology should be based on the candidate's strengths. However, candidates can refer to the advantages of studying Computer Science to make a choice.

1. Firstly, Computer Science is the “key” to breakthroughs in the Industrial Revolution 4.0, Digital Transformation, Sustainable Smart Cities in the world and in Vietnam. Computer Science includes research on data structures, databases, data warehouses, data analysis, data processing algorithms, data mining, artificial intelligence and big data systems serving all aspects of the economy and society.
2. Second, currently in Vietnam there are very few schools that train in Computer Science (in the North there are only 7 universities training) while there are many in Information Technology. That means that job opportunities in Computer Science will be greater, and salaries will also be higher.
3. Third, the benchmark score for Computer Science is always the highest in the engineering group. Therefore, Computer Science engineers are always sought after by businesses after graduation.
4. Fourth, Computer Science and Information Technology are among the two fields with the highest demand for human resources. In the past 10 years, the demand for human resources in Computer Science and Information Technology has increased 4 times and shows no signs of stopping.

Should I study Computer Science at Dai Nam University?

In 2023, Dai Nam University will enroll students in Computer Science ( code 7480101 ) with 04 admission combinations:

• A00: Math, Physics, Chemistry
• A01: Math, Physics, English
• A10: Math, Physics, Civics
• D84: Math, Civics, English

Admission methods for Computer Science at Dai Nam University:

- Method 1: Use the results of 03 subjects from the high school graduation exam results according to the registered combination for admission consideration.

- Method 2: Use the results of 03 subjects from the 12th grade high school study results according to the registered combination for admission with a score of 18 points or higher.

- Method 3: Direct admission (Applied according to regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training)

With the applied training program, students of Computer Science at Dai Nam University experience the working environment of enterprises and are fostered with the spirit of innovative technology entrepreneurship right from the classroom. Students experience, practice, handle real-life situations and learn practically in the direction of equipping them with practical knowledge of computer technology.

In particular, students majoring in Computer Science at Dai Nam University are trained in the Japanese market orientation with high-quality classes oriented towards the Japanese market, classes oriented towards the Japanese market with scholarships provided by FIMO Company (committed to Japanese language proficiency reaching N3++ and Japanese soft skills), and committed to employment after graduation.

In addition, students can choose to take English classes to have job options in English-speaking countries.

DNU's Computer Science Engineering program covers important areas including: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Computer Vision, Image Processing and Analysis, Data Mining and Analysis, Big Data Technology, etc.

• At the end of the first year, students will have a solid understanding of data, database structures, object-oriented programming, and be proficient in Python programming.
• By the end of the second year, students will be proficient in programming for Artificial Intelligence and Basic Data Analysis problems.
• By the end of the third year, students will be able to manage and analyze big data, program algorithms, and advanced methods of Artificial Intelligence and Data Analysis.
• At the end of the fourth and fifth years, students will be proficient in programming algorithms, artificial intelligence methods, data science, and choose one of the specialized directions such as Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, Speech Processing, etc. Ready to deploy applications for different industries, such as: Artificial Intelligence Applications in Healthcare, Computational Neuroscience, Bioinformatics, Robotics, Automatic Control, Environmental Monitoring, etc.
• Students are granted certificates corresponding to the output standards of each academic year and are guaranteed output in Japanese and English.

In addition, Dai Nam University students will experience a modern, dynamic and friendly learning environment. Every year, you will participate in many movement activities and social responsibilities such as: Love Cake, traditional camping, charity, volunteer activities, sports... Nearly 30 student clubs operate actively, diverse in genres and forms, helping students freely express their abilities, interests, accumulate knowledge, experience, and expand their friendships.

>>> Register for admission at: HERE

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