Is computer engineering hard?

[Coaxialgamer]

1 hour ago, fpo said:

Yeah, but you'll be hard pressed to find a job in the field. 

That's precisely why i said

Quote

at least not if you aren't doing it specifically to find a job (most companies won't hire you without some kind of CS/EE degree )

 

2 hours ago, BuckGup said:

Yeah no. I'm sorry but computers aren't that simple. If you break it down to the transistor level there is way more logic going on 

Never tried to imply that they were simple . As i said , it depends entirely on what abstraction level you're at . From a pure floor-plan perspective , you don't need to know that much about  solid state physics . you can write VHDL/verilog without knowing how the transistors are made . that's the fab engineer's job.

But of course , if you're actually designing the manufacturing process to build those transistors onto silicon , you DO need to know a lot more about math and solid state physics .

But by computer engineering , i pretty much assume OP is talking about hardware architecture here or possibly software . But it doesn't seem like working at a fab is what he wants , at least that's the impression i get .

[bimmerman]

You need to know the math fundamentals cold. You will have a hard time on the job and in the higher level classes if you have to revisit the math topics all the time. You don't need to know all of it cold, but you do need to be proficient enough so that your math abilities aren't hindering you.

 

For mechanical engineering (my field), you need to know trig, algebra, 2D calculus, and diff eq absolutely cold, as all of the interesting subjects assume you have proficiency in these areas. Do I use it every day? No. Do I need to be able to without refreshing my memory on what the cos/tan relationship is, or what a chain rule is, or the implications of a changing rate of change? Yes. As an application, physics is entirely calculus based. You need to know the relationship between derivatives and integrals to understand how position, velocity, and acceleration are tied together (eg ye olde mass spring damper system) as well as momentum, energy, power, etc etc etc. It's ALL applied math, but in interesting ways.

 

For CompEng, the math may vary but the idea does not. You need to know the fundamental math subjects cold so that you aren't hindered from learning and implementing the actually interesting topics.

 

So, what's this mean for you and where you are at? Learn the math. Get tutoring. Seek help from teachers/professors/friends/etc. If CompEng is a field you really want to go into, that's great! You know your math skills suck, so work to improve them. Math and physics (and, chemistry, depending on the field) are the words you need to know to speak the language of engineering. It's that fundamental. That said, I still have to think through my timetables for the less frequently used stuff.

 

I would not do this with online classes. This is the kind of thing in-person tutoring will yield the fastest returns and quickest improvement. Talk to your teacher/prof!

[Mug]

If you put enough work into anything you can do it.

 

I did Chemistry at uni and there were people on that course that wouldn't be able to complete maths that 15 year olds do. It depends what uni you go to to be honest, and one that's low on maths probably isn't worth it for you. It would be better to build a portfolio and teach yourself sometimes.

 

If you have the motivation, you can learn it. Maths is a way of learning and can become intuitive if you put the effort in.