Can anybody please tell me the difference between these two engineering
fields?
Starting next semester, I'll have to choose which field to enroll in. I
would like
to know what kind of stuff I'll be learning in these two fields. Also If you
can,
please also indicate what kind of job will I be doing after I graduate. And
the
prospective job opportunities for them.
Thanks!
On Wed, 24 Sep 2003 00:57:26 GMT, "UltimateApocalypse"
Until only about 30 years ago, there were no CSs, only EEs. The field
of CS developed as EEs designed more complicated computers, and it
became necessary to specialize in the niche field (CS) or in the
broader field (EE). Both fields include computer programming to a
significant degree.
Computer Scientists generally design computers and other digital logic
devices, using especially FPGAs and ASICs. They work with VHDL and
Verilog as design languages. Although a good electrical foundation is
required, CSs are not necessarily expected to understand the deep
electrical details about signals, propagation, and impedance. CSs
tend to design the more complicated digital integrated circuits, some
using many millions of transistors.
Electrical engineering covers a broad range of fields, covering DC
power supplies, the national power grid, audio amplifiers, consumer
electronics (radios, TVs, etc), and higher frequency radios (like cell
phones and satellite systems). EEs generally use schematic diagrams
as design tools, but more recently have been moving into VHDL and
Verilog also. EEs are often called upon to evaluate system
characteristics like stability. "Electronic EEs" tend to design the
not-so-digital integrated circuits (like op-amps) and often do product
implementations. The other EE fields also have their specialists.
Kevin
you
And
You did describe the Computer Engineering degree, but Computer Science is
not an interchangeable term for it. The CS guys are actually the pure
programming and algorithms group, who concentrate on crazy stuff like neural
networks and databases and whatnot.
The computer engineering major is like an EE without as much focus on
analog, and a pretty good low-level programming toolkit. In retrospect it
would have been more fun for me, instead of the EE major.
Just wanted to make sure there was no confusion, and the poor guy doesn't
end up sitting in a chaotic systems class wondering when the teacher's going
to say something about VHDL!
Greetings.
Is possible that you wrote computer science when you actually meant
computer engineering (or the like)? I really don't think designing
digital logic, or the other activities you described, is the
bailiwick of a typical, employed CS major. Or am I mistaken?
Cordially,
Richard Kanarek
On Wed, 24 Sep 2003 03:29:13 GMT, Kevin Kilzer
You're confusing CS (Computer Science) with CompE (Computer
Engineering). CompE is pretty much a specialization within EE, much
like power or RF. It's just sexier for the colleges to have a different
department name. ;-)
The difference is that CompEs design computers and EEs design "other
digital logic", *sometimes* using FPGAs and ASICs. High-end
computers/microprocessors are generally full custom designs and not
really ASICs (and certainly not FPGAs).
I disagree here completely. It's pretty hard to design a
computer/microprocessor without paying attention to these "details".
Signal propagation and power distribution is a huge part of computer
design. A computer engineer may have a different emphasis, to be sure.
An architect (generally a computer engineer, or an EE with a lot of
computer engineering experience) will be doing things like analyzing
the trade-offs between cache sizes, organization, and speeds, for
instance. While the cache designer (could be a CompE or EE) will
certainly have to understand the "deep electrical details".
Sure, EE is a very broad field, which really includes CompE. In fact I
intentionally went EE angle and took all the course work that a CompE
degree required. I then sold myself as both. I think this is still a
valid strategy, though perhaps dual degree is even a better idea these
days. You can then go after either position.
I posted that same question here once and got helpful responses. I just got
accepted to a 4 year school as a junior, and it's time to make my decision.
I'm leaning towards EE. I like computers too but there are also other areas
I'm interested in, such as wireless communications. My school has a CE
program, it's basically a computer science degree with a little more math
and science, plus a course in electrical systems.
Matt
wrote:
That's scary! What college? To do anything as a Computer
Engineer you really have to be well grounded in the basics of EE.
A BSCS plus a course is not going to cut it!
Perhaps there is a difference in terms. Computer Engineers have
traditionally dealt with hardware concepts. Computer Science
types are more on the software/algorithm side. There is a vast
difference, at least at the BS level. The line starts to get
fuzzy at the PhD level though. If you're interested in something
you might be able to touch, go the EE route!
Again, I'd bite the bullet and go for the EE and use whatever
credits you have spare to take the CS or CE courses. Take
another semester/year (depending on the economic environment -
grab a job when available) to do both. Flexability is key now,
as it was thirty years ago. The more things change...
Good luck Matt, and work your A$$ off. It'll pay you back with
big interest in the long run.
It's the University of South Florida in Tampa. You're right, there are some
hardware electives now that I look at it, but it does share a lot of courses
with computer science.
Matt
Do the EE and take take all the CompE electives you can. If
you're paying by the semester (rather than credit), even audit as
many as you can. I believe a CompE BS (form other than a *top*
school) is rather worthless right now. An EE is a much better
idea and if you can show computer competency, all the better.
The next suggestion is to find a company to coop with. If you
can land a coop deal you'll have a 10x better chance of getting a
job when you graduate. Even in bad times we've hired the good
coops.
The Sacrament of Baptism
The Sacrament of Pennance
The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist
The Sacrament of Confirmation (Chrisimation)
The Sacrament of Matramony (Marriage)
The Sacrament of Holy Orders
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
...or do you know how to spell OSI, DimBulb? I do believe the
above would be more useful to you.
Wehn I graduated (30ish years ago) the difference was five-six
courses difference between an EE and CompE BS. There were plenty
of major-elecitves and free electives to cover these. I also did
a few analog courses and "special problems" (one-on-one projects
with a sponsoring professor). Diversification is key to
survival.
Perhaps, though for the rest of your life you're going to be a
wannabe. I do believe that my thirty years experience trumps
your wannabeism. Good grief! Anyone who has such a low-level
knowledge of thermo and EM radiation cannot have graduated from a
decent high school, much less an engineering school!
On Wed, 24 Sep 2003 00:57:26 GMT, "UltimateApocalypse"
CS pays... EE doesn't. CS is a cushy job... EE is bust yer ass
all day job.
You should already have a great deal of familiarity with both. If
you are merely choosing an engineering discipline because you like the
idea, but have no current grasp, you are probably in for a let down.
The math alone in today's curriculum for EITHER one is VERY VERY
high level stuff.
You should probably already have an idea on this one as well.
In this current economy?!!! Hahahah... Lot od electrician jobs
listed... not many engineering jobs listed, and that includes the IT
professions.
Computer engineering is computer oriented with some generic system design
theory. Electrical is more general, dealing with everything that has to do
with electricity, including computer hardware and a little programming
.There exist much overlap when dealing with computers and the lines can
blur. The best bet is to look at the courses involved in 3rd & 4th year,
and talk with the professors who teach courses that you think may be
interesting. This is the best way to do it as some course outline have not
been updated in 30 years (too much paperwork for the prof).
you
And
You may be thinking backwards, you should determine the industry or
industries that you're interested in. From there determine whether a BSc.
EE or BSc. CE is best. Finally nothing beats experience, if you're an
electrical engineer with hardcore computer experience you will beat out a
computer engineer who has no experience for a computer eng based job (or
vise versa).
Dwayne
MSc. EE
Those info you guys provided are really helpful. I agree with what Keith
said, and I'll probably go for EE and then get a second degree in CE since I
like computers quite a lot. I just talked to my profs today. What I heard
was that I only have to take a few more courses to get a CE degree if I have
a EE degree already. However, it does not work the other way around because
EE courses cover more detailed and in depth material than CE courses. So I
think go for EE first then get CE would be the best bet.
Thanks!
Do you think of a computer as a tool to accomplish some other goal or do you
find it so fascinating that you would like to devote all of your initial
time and energy to messing with it. I think of them as a tool (and one that
is frequently broken or locked up). I went EE with a specialty in
Computers. But that was due to the way I answered the first question..
Good Luck
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