[Comp Eng vs. Comp Sci]

[Comp Eng vs. Comp Sci] - Computers

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Comp Eng vs. Comp Sci
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Posted by: lulu_classic

Hi all. I want some advice about the differences between comp engineering and comp science. Actually I want to study about both of them, software and hardware. But, Iam afraid that comp engineering doesnt give strong foundation in software eventhough they offer software engineering or computer science course in the upper level.

Iam quite confused about which one of them has the bigger opportunity to get a job.

Thank you

Posted by: jaeusm

Your job opportunities are essentially the same with either degree. Search this forum for more information. Over the past several months, there have been many threads regarding your question.

Posted by: kirab

theres a little blurb on waterloo's site on the differences between computer engineering, computer science and software engineering... just cant seem to find it atm. look around at: [url]www.uwaterloo.ca[/url]
i'll look harder soon or just type it up from one of the pamphlets.

Posted by: lulu_classic

sometimes i found software engineering is a branch (something like major) of comp engineering, like in U of T. The other branch of it is comp hardware and network. IMO, software engineering and Comp Sci are just the same (programming, and developing software), arent they?

Posted by: Quantum Bit

Yes..

Posted by: Chankama

Don't waste your time with Software Engineering. I went to University of Waterloo and did Computer Engineering. In that University, Computer Science is run by the Math department.

In a 5-10 word summary:

Computer Engineering = Software + Hardware
Computer Science = Software (more theoretical) + Math

I am not going to put math beside Engineering b/c it's simply a joke. Engineering Math is nonsence. If you want to do Software and you know it, they just go to Computer Science. You'll get a better background/theory at the expense of your knowledge of Hardware. From hindsight, I would probably go to CS instead of CE..

When you are done school, and you are doing a job, do you think you'll be doing both s/w and h/w? You might be - I know ppl in my company who are.. That's a decision you have to make.

Posted by: Quantum Bit

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Chankama [/i]
[B]Don't waste your time with Software Engineering. I went to University of Waterloo and did Computer Engineering. In that University, Computer Science is run by the Math department.

In a 5-10 word summary:

Computer Engineering = Software + Hardware
Computer Science = Software (more theoretical) + Math

I am not going to put math beside Engineering b/c it's simply a joke. Engineering Math is nonsence. If you want to do Software and you know it, they just go to Computer Science. You'll get a better background/theory at the expense of your knowledge of Hardware. From hindsight, I would probably go to CS instead of CE..

When you are done school, and you are doing a job, do you think you'll be doing both s/w and h/w? You might be - I know ppl in my company who are.. That's a decision you have to make. [/B][/QUOTE]

To answer the posters question: Software engineering is the #1 job in the US based on growth, salary and many others. While computer engineering is also good in these, it is not as good as software engineering..

Computer science is the same as software engineering at any ABET accreddited school. The reason for the two names is because some schools put computer science in with the engineering department and thus it gets the name software engineering, while others do not and it takes the name computer science. Do not let these "words" confuse you.

Posted by: lulu_classic

Thank u guys for the comment

Now I'm targetting to go to U of T for CE... It looks better for me because I've never studied programming before. And also I love doing physics. :) So, I prefer CE :D

But, I will gladly accept any advice. Just post here

Posted by: kirab

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Chankama [/i]
[B]Don't waste your time with Software Engineering. I went to University of Waterloo and did Computer Engineering. In that University, Computer Science is run by the Math department.

In a 5-10 word summary:

Computer Engineering = Software + Hardware
Computer Science = Software (more theoretical) + Math

I am not going to put math beside Engineering b/c it's simply a joke. Engineering Math is nonsence. If you want to do Software and you know it, they just go to Computer Science. You'll get a better background/theory at the expense of your knowledge of Hardware. From hindsight, I would probably go to CS instead of CE..

When you are done school, and you are doing a job, do you think you'll be doing both s/w and h/w? You might be - I know ppl in my company who are.. That's a decision you have to make. [/B][/QUOTE]

Is engineering math really that easy? I know someone who is currently in 2nd yr U of T CE and he says that the calculus they're doing is not only different than other engineering disciplines - but its way harder! He studies his butt off and he only got around a ~45 - 50% I was under the impression that electrical/computer engineering math is very difficult.

So please elaborate on this Chankama, as am I aiming to go into U of T or Waterloo CE next year!

Posted by: Quantum Bit

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by kirab [/i]
[B]Is engineering math really that easy? I know someone who is currently in 2nd yr U of T CE and he says that the calculus they're doing is not only different than other engineering disciplines - but its way harder! He studies his butt off and he only got around a ~45 - 50% I was under the impression that electrical/computer engineering math is very difficult.

So please elaborate on this Chankama, as am I aiming to go into U of T or Waterloo CE next year! [/B][/QUOTE]

I would consider this math very easy, since all you're really doing is plugging and chugging the formulas. The math which is deemed very tough is the math where you use creativity in proofs etc...

Posted by: KingAustin

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Quantum Bit [/i]
[B]I would consider this math very easy, since all you're really doing is plugging and chugging the formulas. The math which is deemed very tough is the math where you use creativity in proofs etc... [/B][/QUOTE]

I wouldn't consider engineering math easy at all unless math is your strong point. I would actually say it's very dependent on your teacher. I'm a freshman in computer engineering, but have since decided to switch to MIS. The calculus lecture I was in had 300 people at the start of the year, I dropped it the last day I could without repercussions, and by that day 50% of the class had dropped it. Among the 50% still in it, 50% of them were failing. On top of that, at Iowa State you need to have a C- or better in calculus to advance to calculus II.

Now some other people I know were in a different lecture, and most of the kids in that class were doing ok and that class was even farther ahead in the book than we were. So I guess it just depends on your willingness to work hard at it, understand and implement the proper formulas/theories, and hope you get a good teacher..