Compared to...

HOW DOES A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN DIGITAL SCIENCES COMPARE TO OTHER DEGREES?

Three of the most frequently-asked questions about Digital Sciences Bachelor's degrees are the following:

• How does Digital Sciences compare to Computer Science (in the College of Arts and Sciences)?
• How does Digital Sciences compare to Computer Information Systems (in the College of Business Administration)?
• How does Digital Sciences compare to Visual Communication Design (in the College of Communication and Information)?

 

These four Bachelor's degree programs, while related, each have a different focus and a different curriculum.  The four degree programs can be succinctly described as follows:

• The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science prepares graduates to apply computational thinking and software development to design and develop software systems to solve problems in a variety of areas, including science, engineering, business, medicine, and education.  The key terms here are "computational thinking" and "software development".
  
• The Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems prepares graduates to design and manage the large computerized information systems essential to business and non-profit organizations, such as customer relation management systems or reservations systems.  The key terms here are "information systems" and "business".
• The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design provides a comprehensive professional preparation, the development of conceptual and aesthetic skills, a knowledge of design history and tradition as basis for individual style, and the transformation of theory into practice through professional example and experience .  The key terms here are "aesthetic" and "design".
• The Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Digital Sciences provides a broad exposure to digital technologies including web development, software development, design processes, and human-computer interaction; newly-emerging skills such as information management and enterprise architecture; and teamwork.
  

 

In terms of skill sets, Digital Sciences graduates compare to the others as follows:

• Compared to Computer Science graduates, Digital Sciences students are more familiar with design processes, human-computer interaction, web development, information and data management, security, and project management, although they are less familiar with computer architecture, operating systems, programming language theory, and algorithms.
• Compared to Computer (Management) Information Systems graduates, Digital Sciences students are more familiar with design processes, human-computer interaction, software development, information management, security, and requirements engineering, although they are less familiar with business processes and large computer information systems.
• Compared to Visual Communication (Graphic) Design graduates, Digital Sciences students are more familiar with software development, web development, information and data management, security, and project management, although they are less familiar with illustration and graphic design.

 

For those interested in software development, the diagram below (click on the diagram for a PDF version) visually summarizes the course requirements for the Bachelor of Digital Sciences concentration in Software Development as compared to the other two degrees.  It clearly illustrates the similarities and key differences between the degrees:

• All three degrees include basic courses on programming and database systems.
• Any two degrees have some courses in common that are not in the third degree.
  
• The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science adds depth in software development through courses on computer architecture, operating systems, programming languages and algorithms.  It has a math requirement (calculus I, calculus II, and linear algebra) and a foreign language requirement.
• The Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems adds depth in business through courses on finance, marketing, accounting, and economics.  It also has a math requirement (calculus I and business statistics) but no foreign language requirement.
• The Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Digital Sciences adds depth in design processes, human-computer interaction, security, and project management.  It does not have a math requirement, nor does it have a foreign language requirement.