Computer science or Computer Engineering major...?

[SnowSurfer]

I cant decide between these options as a major. I like both of them equally but i just wanted some opinions from people who worked in each field as to what im getting myself into

[Cantacuzene]

Not that I have any experience, but it really depends on the job you want later.

[gear02]

Computer Science = Programming

Computer Engineering = Programming AND hardware.

I'm a CE, and at my school, the CE program was in the engineering division, with me taking a few courses in the CS dept. Overall, I got more knowledge from engineering than software. So when I took my software development job, i didn't know any upper level topics like OS programming, graphics programming, etc.

So it all depends on your school.

[ialsohaveadream]

You should probably major in a field that will have jobs available in America...unless you're interested in a move to India or China. In which case, either one of those would be fine.

[Cubsfan]

You should probably major in a field that will have jobs available in America...unless you're interested in a move to India or China. In which case, either one of those would be fine.
I wouldn't worry about this at all, as long as you actually like to program.

As far as CS vs. CE, I'd ask what you wanted to do. If you just want to program, definately CS. If you want to do hardware and some programming, CE. I'd gear it more toward your interest.

[bachviet]

Go for computer engineering since it covers more than just programming.

[SnowSurfer]

i def want to do more than programming, i would rather build things and then write the code for them instead of just pounding away on writing code all the time, thanks for the opinions guys :)

[zenbooty]

Comp. Engineering if you want to design and build computers and computer hardware components, or get into low level hardware ROM and driver programming. Robotics, operations controls, and lots and lots of digital logic and some electrical engineering fall under this area.

Comp. Sci. if you want to design and write software, or basically use the computer to solve problems. AI, graphics, advanced algorithms, software engineering, operating system design and network programming (these two have some overlap with Comp. Eng.) all fall under the CS umbrella, primarily.

[Mike_N_Ike]

i def want to do more than programming, i would rather build things and then write the code for them instead of just pounding away on writing code all the time, thanks for the opinions guys :)
Sounds like CE is a good choice for you.

[gear02]

Sounds like CE is a good choice for you.

Yup, i agree.

Btw, what school do you go to?

[InfiniteNothing]

I like to think that engineers are in a neat little brotherhood.

[SnowSurfer]

i actually havent decided on a school yet lol, i am looking in the boston area though considering im not on the west coast. :)

[gear02]

i actually havent decided on a school yet lol, i am looking in the boston area though considering im not on the west coast. :)

so...which ones are you looking at?

btw if you're still not sure, go to a school that doesn't require you to declare major BEFORE you enter school and thus stuck in that dept. I think a lot of state schools are like that.

Brown isn't ;) We have a flexible curriculum. Any student can take any class (as long as they meet prereqs) in any department. And you don't have to declare a major until the end of your sophomore year.

[AlpineJay]

I definitely vote CompE. The CompE department at my school (which incidentally is in the "Boston area") is shared with my Electrical Engineering Department, and they essentially learn the same basic stuff as we EE's learn. When we get into complex electronics, you guys basically branch off to programming (hardware and software included) and pick up the core curriculum of a CS major. It's the best way to get an exposure on EE and CS, which is a really good combo to know.

You'd better like to code, though - you'll spend a good amount of your college years doing that.

[Grubbie]

Boston eh? Its a good college town, a little expensive to live in but nice and fun.

[SnowSurfer]

ive looked at northeastern, bc, bu. I also looked at rit but thats way too far up in the boonies of new york (sorry) lol