| Summary: | Although both are computer-based, computer science and computer information systems programs of study are markedly different. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to speculate that success factor differences may exist between them, and to seek an objective means of making such a determination based on a student's traits. The purpose of this study was therefore two-fold--to determine whether differences do in fact exist between successful computer science majors and successful computer information systems majors, and if such was affirmed, to determine a classification rule for such assignment. Based on an aggregate of demographic, pre-college academic, and learning style factors, the groups were found to differ significantly on the following variables (listed in decreasing likelihood of significance, for those with p $<$.05): sex, abstract conceptualization and concrete-abstract continuum measures, SAT - Mathematics, interest ranking for science, active experimentation measure, interest ranking for foreign language, and concrete experience measure. Computer science majors were found to consist of significantly more males than females, and to have significantly higher abstract conceptualization, concrete-abstract continuum, SAT - mathematics, and interest ranking for science measures than computer information systems majors, while computer information systems majors were found to have significantly higher active experimentation, interest ranking for foreign language and concrete experience measures. A classification rule, based on a subset of these factors, was derived and found to classify correctly at a 76.6% rate. These results have potential as a research-based component of an advising function for students interested in pursuing a computer science or computer information systems program of study.
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