Difference Between Computer Science and Computer Engineering?

[MuffinTopMike]

So I was looking into both computer science and computer engineering courses for university, however I still can't find a definitive answer to what is the difference between the two. Also if anyone has any experiences with either computer science or computer engineering then I would love to hear about them.

[Wano97]

http://www.eng.buffalo.edu/undergrad/academics/degrees/cs-vs-cen

[C_Mike]

I always thought Computer science was software, and engineering was hardware.

 

So Science you'll do really low level programming and complex algorithms etc.

 

Whereas Engineering would be things like processor architecture and designing components.

[Sumsar]

If you want to be creative, and develop software, go for CS.

If you're ridiculously good at math, physics etc. and if you want to design hardware, go for CE.

[MuffinTopMike]

I always thought Computer science was software, and engineering was hardware.

 

So Science you'll do really low level programming and complex algorithms etc.

 

Whereas Engineering would be things like processor architecture and designing components.

Yeah you're right, however I believe there might be some overlap between the two, like computer architecture is sometimes part of CS.

 

If you want to be creative, and develop software, go for CS.

If you're ridiculously good at math, physics etc. and if you want to design hardware, go for CE.

CE sounds really cool, but it seems like its just maths and I'm not sure how much actual practical work is involved.

[EpIcPoNaGe]

I always thought Computer science was software, and engineering was hardware.

So Science you'll do really low level programming and complex algorithms etc.

Whereas Engineering would be things like processor architecture and designing components.

If you want to be creative, and develop software, go for CS.

If you're ridiculously good at math, physics etc. and if you want to design hardware, go for CE.

CE isn't just hardware. If you want to do hardware, go into EE. Processor architecture is PhD level work for EE. CE is the combination of hardware and software. You take both CS classes and EE classes but not to the full extent as if you were double majoring. At my college, as a CE you can choose to take classes to specialize in either side, hardware or software, but you learn at least the basics of both. CS is then fully software/programming.

Source: I'm a computer engineer major

[MuffinTopMike]

CE isn't just hardware. If you want to do hardware, go into EE. Processor architecture is PhD level work for EE. CE is the combination of hardware and software. You take both CS classes and EE classes but not to the full extent as if you were double majoring. At my college, as a CE you can choose to take classes to specialize in either side, hardware or software, but you learn at least the basics of both. CS is then fully software/programming.

Source: I'm a computer engineer major

Thanks you explained that very well. As a computer engineering major, how much of the work you do is theory, like maths and physics and how much of it is practical?

[Pomfinator]

Thanks you explained that very well. As a computer engineering major, how much of the work you do is theory, like maths and physics and how much of it is practical?

I think that would depend on the school. A smaller technical school would probably have a higher practical:theory ratio than a large university.

[MuffinTopMike]

I think that would depend on the school. A smaller technical school would probably have a higher practical:theory ratio than a large university.

That's true, but then there is a trade off, where you go a big university and do nothing but maths and physics, but then some employers will be more likely to hire someone from a trusted university. Or you can go to a small university and do more practical stuff, but might have trouble getting a job later on.

[EpIcPoNaGe]

Thanks you explained that very well. As a computer engineering major, how much of the work you do is theory, like maths and physics and how much of it is practical?

 

 

I'm sorry, but I can't fully answer that as I haven't taken all my courses yet. At my university, I have the choice of choosing what upper division classes to take and so I can choose to delve into more theory or practical based classes if I wanted to. However, my all my available courses are more biased towards the theory side of things. Also like what @Pomfinator said, it really depends on the school. If you were to go to a technical school, they focus on practical work as most go straight into the work force after graduating. On the other hand, a university like mine is based more upon theory as many continue onto graduate school. I hope that answers your question!

[MuffinTopMike]

I'm sorry, but I can't fully answer that as I haven't taken all my courses yet. At my university, I have the choice of choosing what upper division classes to take and so I can choose to delve into more theory or practical based classes if I wanted to. However, my all my available courses are more biased towards the theory side of things. Also like what @Pomfinator said, it really depends on the school. If you were to go to a technical school, they focus on practical work as most go straight into the work force after graduating. On the other hand, a university like mine is based more upon theory as many continue onto graduate school. I hope that answers your question!

So what kind of maths and physics do you do? Is it like impossibly hard or is it quite doable?

[EpIcPoNaGe]

So what kind of maths and physics do you do? Is it like impossibly hard or is it quite doable?

I take math up to differential equations. For physics, I only take it to physics 4 out of 6. I can't remember what the topics are off the top of my head and I don't have access to class stuff right now. I'll try to get it to you sometime tomorrow. Physics does get hard but it also is not my favorite subject. Math is pretty hard but doable though

 

EDIT:

I go up to Quantitive Relationships for Physics.