Should I study Computer science or IT with Communication?

[m_p_w]

So I am starting College this year. However, I can't decide which programme I should go with.

The first option is bachelor in IT and Communication. This programme has deep content of communication (networking), but it doesn't have courses like Algorithms, Database Systems, Digital Circuits, etc.(every course that is not related to communication which is normally found in computer science).

The second option is bachelor in Computer Science. This programme has a little bit of everything (software, hardware and networking), But it doesn't have deep content of anything like in the other programme.

Would you please give me some advice what is better to study?
Is it better to study a bachelor programme which concentrates on a particular field of computer science?

 

[Student100]

So I am starting College this year. However, I can't decide which programme I should go with.

The first option is bachelor in IT and Communication. This programme has deep content of communication (networking), but it doesn't have courses like Algorithms, Database Systems, Digital Circuits, etc.(every course that is not related to communication which is normally found in computer science).

The second option is bachelor in Computer Science. This programme has a little bit of everything (software, hardware and networking), But it doesn't have deep content of anything like in the other programme.

Would you please give me some advice what is better to study?
Is it better to study a bachelor programme which concentrates on a particular field of computer science?

What do you want to do when you graduate?

 

[m_p_w]

To be honest, I want to work with hardware or software in computers (I love designing digital circuits in logisim and I also love to code in python. I did a high school project of making a basic CPU in logisim which could add/subtract/divide/multiply and describing the use of the boolean algebra in digital circuits. furthermore, I enjoy coding and figuring out how to make the program behave how I want it to behave. Overall I am very interested in all the courses which the computer science offers).

However, I was told countless of times that it would be better to study a programme which specialized in one of the fields of the computer science like IT and Communication (even if I am planning to do Ms in Computer science) because there is bigger possibility to get a job cause you are already specialized in a specific field. Additionally, I was told that a lot of jobs are IT/communication related, and hardware/software related jobs are not easy to get.

 

[Student100]

I don't know who gave you that advice, but I'd disagree with it.

If you want to work primary with software, computer science would the degree to get. For hardware, computer engineering, IT is more communication theory. Either comp science or IT will work with some with hardware, but in different ways. A comp science major might work to optimize software for particular hardware. While an IT would interface hardware through networks.

Designing computer hardware and circuits falls into the realm of computer engineers. There's still overlap with software here, and communication theory as well.

All three have favorable job outlooks, as far as I know, and probably similar in pay. Do which ever you prefer the most.

Someone who's worked in this industry may have better advice.

This might be better in the career advice forum.

As an aside, if you want to get an MS in comp science, get your bachelor's in the same major.

 

[m_p_w]

However, there is one more issue which I am struggling with.
The IT and communication programme is in a better University than the other one when it comes to "World University ranking 2014-15". The University with the IT and communication is in the 300s and the other University is in 700s. Does "World University ranking 2014-15" matter when it comes to applying for masters in different Universities or getting internships abroad?

 

[Student100]

However, there is one more issue which I am struggling with.
The IT and communication programme is in a better University than the other one when it comes to "World University ranking 2014-15". The University with the IT and communication is in the 300s and the other University is in 700s. Does "World University ranking 2014-15" matter when it comes to applying for masters in different Universities or getting internships abroad?

Aren't there higher ranked CS programs in your country you could attend?

I don't know how rankings are generally calculated, especially world rankings. Does it matter for graduate school? I don't know. I would assume name recognition of your undergrad institution would play some role like here in the US. However, going from an IT bachelors to a CS masters probably isn't as easy as also doing your bachelors in CS as well, there are skills you aren't going to learn in the IT program. (Assuming without actually looking at either of the specific programs)

 

[m_p_w]

Aren't there higher ranked CS programs in your country you could attend?

These two bachelors are the only bachelors which are in English and I am able to afford to go to them (There are many Masters in English because most of the Universities offer Masters in English, but Bachelors in their language). Both of the Universities' names are recognised in Europe (I would assume so, because these universities are in 2 different countries, and they are very well known in their countries). But I want to know what happens if I want to work abroad (outside of Europe, for Example South Korea, Japan, Australia or New Zealand)