<p>I will be attending UCSC in the fall, and I am torn between these three majors. Here are the basics:</p>
<p>[ul]
[li]CE: I am interested in computers and how they work; I like tinkering with stuff.</p>[/li]
<p>[li]CS: I think that I would enjoy programming (although at this point, all I really know is a little java), and I like solving puzzles. However, I think that CS might be a little too theoretical for me; also, from what I heard, once you major in CS, you can't really go into other fields of engineering, so career prospects and protection from layoffs are limited.</p>[/li]
<p>[li]EE: From what I heard, this field is very varied (EE can work for aerospace, biomedical companies, IT, etc...), so you will always have a 'job', and can easily find your 'niche'. However, I have also heard that EE is one of the hardest majors.</p>[/li]
<p>[/ul]
Here are some questions I have:
[ul]
[<em>]Which field has the most math?
[</em>]Which field pays the most?
[li]Which field has the brightest future?[/li][/ul]</p>
<p>I agree with Hinman. The math in any will be about the same with CS possibly requiring slightly more as many upper level CS classes are mostly math, but EEs and CEs may have to take some of the same classes. Try this. Go to the UCSC website and compare the required coursework for each major. They are all very similar. Especially CE and EE. Look especially at the first year curriculum, it's likely to be very similar for all three. Then, come fall, use your school's resources, talk to professors and students in the various majors, use the career services office to explore prospects and go to any lectures they may offer on the fields and find the one that you like best. From what I can tell, your assessment of CS is correct, except that it is all programing. Yes, that is something you do, but it is more than that (or so they tell me).</p>
<p>The great news is you don't need to decide right now -- there is enough overlap between the CE, CS, and EE majors at UCSC (and most other places) that you can take your first 1-2 years while keeping your options open. You can even put off final decision between EE/CE and CS/CE for a little longer.</p>
<p>There are also a few courses that can help choose majors -- the most important thing is to go for the one that excites you the most. The intro programming (CS10, CS12A, CS12B) for CS, Intro to Robotics (CE8) and Hands-On Computer Engineering (CE1 -- I teach that one every quarter, 2 units :-), and the renewable energy or electronic tech course (EE80T, EE80J).</p>
<p>Since CE and EE are in the mix, plan on starting physics soon -- this is the major difference between CE/EE and CS in the first couple of years (physics is a prereq for circuits).</p>
<p>Most math -- this would be EE, but all the majors have quite a bit of math.
Pays the most -- you can get a great job in any of these
Brightest Future -- whichever is the most fun for you, but I'm partial to CE & computer system design myself.</p>
<p>(But then, I'm also chair of the CE department, so look me up during summer orientation or this fall. Richard Hughey)</p>
<p>rphceucsc, since you are affiliated with UCSC, I have another question for you:</p>
<p>I was admitted to UCSC under the major of computer science, but since then I had changed it to health sciences. Recently, I have emailed UCSC, requesting to change my (proposed) major to computer engineering (although now I'm not so sure about that, either), but I haven't heard back yet. My question is: will I be allowed to change my major during orientation?</p>
<p>I think the questions posed are one of the most crucial things most people go through , I originally started out as a Computer Engineer , but ended up as a Computer Science graduate from UIUC so Ill just give you the run down from my experience (dont know how UCSC will similar or different)</p>
<p>Which field has the most math? Both fields have equal amount of math , while EE and CompE are strongly calculus driven , CS is more bent towards discrete math. It may often seem that CS has less math , but discrete math and the topics in CS tend to overlap with general ideas and less "mathy" work. So overall Math wise EE is the heaviest on Math followed by CompE then CS.</p>
<p>Which field pays the most? Honestly starting out top salaries are dominated by Computer Science , with a signifcant difference of over 10k in salaries , with most people ending up in software jobs.</p>
<p>Which field has the brightest future? I think this question is related to what you want to do in the future , in terms of job prospects I definitely think CS comes out stronger since a lot more companies are looking for software engineers and pure EE/CompE jobs are rare to find (most jobs tend to lean on software more than hardware). But to say that only CS has a bright future is not true , EE and CompE both are great futures , but given the current trend and job market CS is on top. In the long run all three pretty much are on even terms in my opinion.</p>
<p>which field presents the best opportunity for entrepreneurship? I think CS wins this one again , CS is one major which usually is very project driven rather than material driven , which gives a lot of opportunity for startups and the like. It is far easier to go for a venture in CS than EE or CompE as intrinsic costs are lower, and CS ventures have a far more established VC base than hardware ventures. </p>
<p>I think overall the BIGGEST advantage of EE or a CompE over CS is the fact that a EE and CompE can switch to CS anytime ( in terms of employment ) , EE/CompE's are exposed strongly to programming and can definitely manage CS work without having a degree in the field , the reverse does not hold true. There is limited exposure to EE/CompE work in a CS currciulum.</p>
<p>Overall I would pick Computer Engineering because it walks the middle path of EE and CS , only once you decide what you specifically want to do you can really pick out which one is ideal for you.</p>
<p>Yes, you can change your major at any time (including orientation). They may (or may not) change your 'proposed major' in the system, but next year you'll be able to declare any of the majors much faster (and CE is a great choice!) -- you can declare as soon as you get there, rather than waiting to complete 4 courses. You can also easily change between majors if you find out CE isn't quite the thing for you. Hope to see you in CE1 this fall....</p>
<p>If you're thinking CE or CS, like pinku2002 said, it's easy to change from CE to CS, so start with that, but also make sure to pick your CE courses to help you figure out if CS is the right one.</p>
<p>Everyone, thanks for your insight. I think I will pursue EE, since it will allow me to work in multiple industries (including energy, which is something I am very interested in).</p>