<p>Hey all: </p>
<p>I'm currently a sophomore majoring in both computer science and physics, and have found that I want to work with computer architecture and microprocessors. Is it commonplace for someone to get a bachelor's in Computer Science and go for their master's in Computer Engineering? If not, I might be looking at a transfer.</p>
<p>Although many will disagree with me on this, I’d look at either moving straight into industry with your undergraduate then deciding what you really want to do. Or applying for a funded PhD program in an area of CS or CE you’re interested in. Even if you lose interest in a PhD program and drop out you’ll walk with a masters regardless and save your hard earned tuition money. I’m in a EE/Physics PhD department (very heavy in the computer engineering discipline) and I can tell you from experience that my cohorts and I live as well as anyone else in industry at our ages. You can take one of two tracks. If you’re more on the EE/CS/CE side you’re PhD will be shorter. If you get into more abstract areas that involve theory and physics your track will take longer. </p>
<p>If you’re just looking to get your foot in the door in the areas you’re mentioning I’d apply for internships in labs in your school that are focused on research in those areas and see if it’s really something you’re interested in. </p>
<p>The only time I’d recommend someone to get their masters in a computer related field is if your undergraduate studies where originally not focused in the field and you’re naturally gifted or self taught in the subject and want to be a more competitive candidate in the job market. I’ve seen this work out well with several people that earned undergraduate degrees in Music and later moved to get CS, EE or CE Msc’s when they find out they are not going to be the next Tom Waits. </p>
<p>Also a another thing to consider if you’re really just looking more towards the job market is checking your math and engineering requirements for CS and comparing them to the Physics and Electrical Engineering requirements. A double major in CS/EE or CS/Physics compliment each other very well and will make you very competitive for entry level computer engineering jobs after graduation. Sometimes you can increase your course load, add a couple of summer school sessions or supplement some math requirements and replace electives to meet the requirements for a double or triple major without sacrificing another year or two years in school. This scares a lot of people but more often than not these three disciplines typically have very similar course requirements. </p>
<p>Also another tip for for the job market. If you’re not bilingual already I’d suggest picking up a language like Urdu, Farsi, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, Polish or Russian as well if you can. This will also give you a serious competitive edge and open a lot of additional doors for you no matter what you end up choosing to do. </p>
<p>I did a summer in a language immersion program and independently studied a few languages that I’m slowly becoming professionally proficient in and this has opened a lot of doors for me in my doctoral research and private consulting work. I’m getting the same feedback from friends working full-time in the industry. While it’s not a requirement it’s a very nice to have. </p>
<p>Can you move into CE or EE now in your college? Check if it adds semesters and if you can afford that. Otherwise I’m afraid you will be missing some prerequisites for grad work in engineering. Also if ABET accreditation is important that only comes at the undergrad level I was just reading somewhere (here?) I think you should talk to an advisor or your college engineering dept.</p>