As you investigate the field, be careful using terms you are not very familiar with. Deciding between Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering- Help. It does. (801) 422-4012 Courses in digital logic design and processor interfacing which build on an engineering student’s knowledge of electronics and circuits are typically found in CEN programs. Discover our most recent ranking of the best universities for electrical engineering here. As a computer science major, you would spend your education taking classes in subjects such as algorithms, computer progra… The design of that specialized computing system would likely be done by Computer Engineers. Of course not. As mentioned previously, computer engineering is considered to be a sub-discipline of electrical engineering. At the intersection between CEN and CS are courses in computer architecture (the basic construction and low-level programming of computers) and operating systems, which are as likely to be found in either or both programs. If you have taken no Computer Architecture courses, don't expect to find employment designing the next generation CPUs for Hewlett Packard. You know what I mean. Your choice of courses can have a dramatic impact on your career path. Electrical and computer engineering involve the same core subjects. You just won't find the skills required to construct a working computer system taught in most CS curricula. A dynamic professional field, computer engineering offers varied career paths in both hardware engineering (e.g. You can learn more about these here. The programming of the communications protocols used is typically done by Computer Engineers. Both degrees require the same number of credits. Only some part study Chemical Engineering. There is a big argument to be made for following your passion rather than automatically choosing the career with the highest salary. Point out to you as a student when you need to decide which degree program you wish to take. Help you as a student understand why you might choose one degree over the other. I am attending Clemson University next semester and I can't quite make up my mind on which field I want to major. When you visit a faculty member to get some counsel on your program of study the first question asked will be: "what do you want to do?" This is not quite as circuits intensive as above, the goal being to design large building blocks (arithmetic units, memory interfaces, control units). The differences are those of emphasis. You could specialize in the following areas of electrical and electronics engineering: power generation and supply, communications and media, computer systems and robotic systems. Eventually, the cost of switching will become prohibitive as you realize you have taken a number of classes which will not apply to the other major. Meet with them regularly. Electrical engineers concentrate on the laws of physics that govern electricity, magnetism and light to develop systems and services. Both CEN and CS study the use of the digital computer […] Electrical & Computer Engineering Computer engineers build hardware while computer scientists generally do not. Computer science professionals also need to be able to communicate with their teams, but their work tends to involve more problem-solving skills. Computer engineers typically design not only the hardware, but also much of the software in computer-based systems. As you see, there is a definite continuum with few precisely defined boundaries. Prospective students searching for Chemical Engineer vs. Electrical Engineer found the following related articles and links useful. Highlight the common core shared by both degree programs. The second year is common to both Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. However, you should educate yourself about the jobs market and desired skills. ... Archived. There are philosophical as well as practical answers to these questions. 1. Remember, the line between EE and CpE is fuzzy at best. It might also combine that information with the processed RADAR data to determine the distance to obstacles and notify other software running in the robot system of those obstacles. To help make this a bit more concrete, consider the design of a robotic system such as a mobile ground robot. Each of these programs can be tailored to provide preparation for graduate study or employment in a wide range of fields. Any given person familiar with EE, CS, or CpE may take issue with the insights provided here. Both electrical engineering and computer science occupations pay wages much higher than the $37,690 median salary for all occupations in America. Large, complex, and sophisticated computer-aided design (CAD) tools are required to accomplish this work. Using the above VLSI example again, it is clear that if you eventually decide that VLSI (at any of the 5 levels given) is where you want to work, you will benefit greatly by taking courses across the whole range. Get the right Computer engineering intern job with company ratings & salaries. In short, use every means available to understand what is entailed in the various sub-disciplines of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Learn more about the similarities and differences between the two disciplines, including the skills you’ll need, career options, and how to … Find those resources and carefully study them to help you make the best decision possible. For example, assume you have heard of company X and you understand they do the design and manufacture of VLSI integrated circuits and you decide you are interested in that field for whatever reason. This is what we do in room 487 CB in those white bunny suits. Both degree programs follow a common core of physics, mathematics, statistics, chemistry, digital electronics, linear circuits, electronics, and introduction to computer programming.After finishing either program you will have received an introduction to computer programming and data structures, and you will have built a solid foundation of mathematics, statistics and probability, physics, and chemistry. Many can be found in the business world where their technology and their problem-solving, time-management, … While computer engineers often work as programmers, most system level programs such as programming languages and operating systems are designed by computer scientists. However, computer engineers usually write the programs for computer-based systems. At this point the emphasis is clearly on managing complexity of chips or systems containing many millions of transistors. Following, in no particular order, are points you might take into account for your decision. So many engineers these day's generation fall under the software field or study Computer Science. A significant theoretical branch of CS is concerned with proving properties and limits of computing systems using these abstract models. Electrical engineering is an engineering discipline concerned with the study, design and application of equipment, devices and systems which use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.It emerged as an identifiable occupation in the latter half of the 19th century after commercialization of the electric telegraph, the telephone, and electrical power generation, distribution and use. Thus, your choice should not depend so much on that as on what you want to do. Computer Engineering integrates electrical with computer science. Electrical and mechanical engineering are two different streams in the field of engineering that is a broad term encompassing many other disciplines such as computer, telecommunication, civil, mining, information technology, and so on. They may simply feel they are not representative of what that person has encountered in the work force. It could be easy to get confused by the variety of computational programs available. Many CS departments at U.S. universities were offshoots from math departments in the 1970s, and the emphasis on providing a rigorous mathematical foundation for the computing disciplines is still evident in many CS curricula. Students considering a career centered on computers and computing often ask for clarification about the difference between computer engineering (CEN) and computer science (CS). "Getting it right" is a big concern due to the complexity of the task involved. Computer Engineering (CpE) grew out of Electrical Engineering (EE) and so it should come as no surprise to you that the two degree programs share much in common. In EE there is no end of intense abstract theoretical concepts (try fields and waves, electromagnetics, microwaves, etc.). Other branches of CS are concerned with the use of computing systems to solve a vast array of problems from managing airline reservations, to computer animation, to producing systems software (languages, compilers, operating systems) to make computing systems usable. Top Electrical Engineering Companies To Work For. For example, the statement that the goal of the CpE degree program is to prepare students to design computing systems does not imply that having an EE degree rather than a CpE degree will preclude you from doing so. Some CS programs are decidedly CpE-ish and some are not. Brigham Young University 450 Engineering Building Computer Engineering and Computer Science – Similarities and Differences Students considering a career centered on computers and computing often ask for clarification about the difference between computer engineering (CEN) and computer science (CS). The main difference between electronic and computer engineering is that electronic engineers place more focus on the diodes, circuits, semiconductors and other small components that are used for a computer's circuit board.Computer engineers have a working knowledge of these items and may even work with these components in their daily jobs. VLSI integrated circuit design - circuit level. Computer Engineering (CpE) grew out of Electrical Engineering (EE) and so it should come as no surprise to you that the two degree programs share much in common. The key thing is to meet with the department advisor and map out a path to graduation in one of the majors. The good news is that if you are a student at BYU, you generally may not have to decide which path to follow until you have been in your program of study for a few semesters. These courses will likely be both very theoretical comparing to … That is, each degree opens different doors to you as a student after you leave the department and at the same time may close others. Talk to recruiters and see what skills they are looking for in candidates. Then, you have a better chance of making a good decision. Be Aware of Multiple Meanings. The use of the term vs. in the title of this document is misleading --- there is no competition between the degree programs. Provo, UT 84602 Computer engineers research how to build all varieties of computing systems from smartphones to integrated circuits. Students considering a career centered on computers and computing often ask for clarification about the difference between computer engineering (CompE) and computer science (CompSci), and how Duke's undergraduate curriculum reflects this relationship.. Duke has a unique interdisciplinary environment — several faculty members have appointments in both Computer Engineering and Computer … Electrical engineers apply electrical, electronic and magnetic theory to obtain solutions for problems related to the development, design and operation of electrical hardware and software, control systems, electrical machines and communications systems. However, built into the requirement structure are limitations on how many courses you can take from the other degree program. You would have then focused your studies on electromagnetics (electromagnetic waves) followed by a variety of topics such as control system theory, communication theory, advanced analog electronic circuits, and advanced electromagnetics (including antennas and fiber optics). It includes building computing systems and technological devices. Faculty can be a great aid in helping you understand the bounds of your interest area and devising a program of study to help prepare you in that interest area if you choose to do so. I'm in doubt between Electronic and Computer Engineering and Computer Engineering (in terms of software). The design of those actual physical sensors would typically be done by Electrical Engineers. At my school the difference between EE and CpE was primarily Analog vs Digital. The Electrical Engineering (BS) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. They often employ sophisticated abstract mathematical or logic-based models of computing systems as ways to understand their capabilities. At that (later) time you likely will have enough experience with the curriculum to make an informed decision. Electrical Engineering and Electronics and Communication Engineering may sound similar but are completely different and deal with the different aspects of electricity and transmission of electricity altogether. Computer engineering exists at the intersection of technology and innovation. Students in the Electrical Eng… As an EE, you need serious physics,especially for analog electronics. Students should have sufficient background in high school mathematics so that they can take first-year calculus in … Electrical engineers create, research, design, develop, manufacture, and market new devices. Students in CS, CE, or Electrical Engineering will all study programming and basic computer operation. 5,564 open jobs for Computer engineering intern. Computer engineering is also a term that can be used to describe a person who has a background in electrical engineering. Some Skill Sets Cross Over the Boundary. One such set of application programs would take data in from the cameras and other sensors and operate on that data. Mechanical vs Electrical Engineering . The current job market is very strong for both Electrical Engineers and for Computer Engineers. VLSI integrated circuit design - system level. They include things such as advanced digital systems design and testing, electronic circuits, electromagnetics, VLSI design, CAD tools, systems performance modeling and analysis, etc. If you took technical elective courses outside the department they would likely have come from Computer Science (CS).If you were to choose EE, you would have received additional mathematics training. The Boeing Company. This is very electronics- and circuits-intensive design work. For example, the software might process the data to identify obstacles in the path of the robot or identify other features from the camera feed. It is possible that the robot may need to wirelessly communicate with either other robots or with a base station. To start with, we will discuss the common courses between the two degree programs to show this commonality. If you took technical elective courses outside the department they would likely have come from Physics or possibly Mechanical Engineering.As you can see from this description, after receiving the foundation, Computer Engineers focus to a large extent on using that foundation to help them design and analyze digital computing systems. Your Employability Depends on Your Course Selection - A Lot! The Computer Engineering Program offers a strong emphasis on engineering mathematics and other basic engineering science as well as a firm grounding in computer science. You can often make the switch between degrees with minimal penalty for a number of semesters. Talk to potential employers, talk to the faculty, talk to the department advisor, talk to family friends. The BYU ECEn department publishes flowcharts on its website (ece.byu.edu) that can help you understand its two degrees’ requirements and map out a course of study. And as an electrical, computer, software, or cyber security engineer, you get to be one of the first people to see and develop the new technology people use every day—from new robots that can do surgery and new devices that help doctors care for patients to the next-generation of smartphones your friends will use and electronic systems used in next year’s cars. Close. This draws heavily on physics, particularly solid-state physics. The development of the means of encoding those communications onto radio waves is also done by Electrical Engineers. At the heart of a robot is typically a full-fledged computing system which runs a specialized operating system and multiple applications programs. Computer engineering students, on the other hand, are somewhere between computer science and electrical engineering. Often, this is done using canned building blocks (gates and flip flops) developed by circuit level VLSI designers. Does this mean CS doesn't include the study of computer architecture and digital logic? Computer engineering programs largely developed in engineering departments strong in electrical engineering. That said, remember the point above - the lines are fuzzy at times and there are certainly exceptions to this statement. To put it easily, electrical engineering is a rather broad subject and may even provide the students with basic knowledge of electronics and communication engineering. Therefore, you’ll probably find system operations and computer architecture courses in a computer engineering degree as well. Don’t feel badly if this is the case with you. Much of the above discussion may not make sense to you until you have had some experience in the core classes for these two majors. Help you as a student understand the career ramifications of this choice. Computer engineering, on the other hand, is a field at the intersection of electrical engineering and computer science. The impact of computers has nowhere been more revolutionary than in electrical engineering. Computer scientists know more about underlying theory of computation, programming languages, and operating systems. People who pride themselves on being computer engineers are proficient in computer science, and they can also be involved in hardware or software development. On the contrary. The design, analysis, and operation of electrical and electronic systems are now dominated by computers, a transformation that has been motivated by the natural ease of interface between computers and electrical systems, and the promise of spectacular improvements in speed and efficiency. Integrated circuit manufacturing (also called fabrication or processing). The design of those components may be done by Electrical or Computer Engineers, but more commonly would be done by Mechanical Engineers. There are philosophical as well as practical answers to these questions. The design of the antenna for producing the radio waves used for this communication is done by Electrical Engineers. This higher level of abstraction precludes much attention to the physical detail in the building blocks employed. Happily, however, that will likely not happen until your 3rd or 4th semester of study. Both electrical engineers and computer engineers are involved in developing, programming, and enhancing electrical circuits, systems, and devices. We took all of the same classes and split off so EE could do more in Radio Waves and Electromagnetic stuff while CpE could do more programming and system/circuit design. The reason is that the term VLSI itself refers to a broad range of topics including: Item 1 above can be the task of physicists, chemists, chemical engineers, or manufacturing engineers, as well as electrical engineers. CS curricula can be said to concentrate more on the computational process at an abstract level as opposed to how the computation is accomplished with metal and silicon (wires and transistors). The difference is in the 400-level electives courses.The use of technical electives means that neither degree will lock you out of courses from the other degree program (provided you satisfy the prerequisites). The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers undergraduate programs leading to the BS in electrical engineering, engineering physics, and computer engineering, and the BA in electrical engineering and society. A common complaint is that the process engineers don't really understand the design they are manufacturing and that the designer does not sufficiently understand the silicon technology being used. The choice of which to pursue largely comes down to your interests. A long-established and highly regarded aeronautics firm, the Boeing Company continues to be the top provider of jetliners for passenger and other commercial transport purposes. Item 2 may be done by electrical engineers but also by physicists. You will have completed three courses in circuit design, a course in linear system theory and signal processing, and will have completed a significant engineering project as a part of the Capstone course.If you were to choose CpE, however, you would have received additional training in computer programming, computer architecture and organization, and networking. While seemingly a step in the right direction, an answer of "VLSI" is not much more helpful than "something technical having to do with circuits." Search Computer engineering intern jobs. microprocessors) and software development—each which drive computing advances in industries ranging from aerospace to healthcare. College of Education and Human Development, College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture, Experiential Programs Innovation Central (EPIC), Coordinated Operating Research Entities (CORE). Point out the differences between the degree requirements. Basically, electrical engineers are involved in the design and manufacture of a wide range of electrical products as well as generating electrical power etc. A robot needs the ability to sense its surroundings using cameras, RADAR, Laser rangefinding, etc. I don't have much programming experience, but I did take an introductory class and I'm not doing as well as i had thought, but I still think if I work hard enough I can so well in it! These building blocks include logic elements (gates and flip flops) as well as analog components (amplifiers, DACs, ADCs, static and dynamic memory cells). These kinds of engineers are also the architects of the system being built and so require a very broad training in most areas of EE and CS. Both disciplines study the inner workings of computers and both study hardware as well as software aspects of computer systems. The emphasis here is more on dealing with the complexities of higher transistor-count chips. 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