<p>I am starting college in 1 1/2 months and am going in undecided. However I would like to choose a major as soon as possible. Here's some background information:</p>
<p>College: University of Cincinnati
Age: 17
Favorite Classes: Physics (by far), math, and science in general
GPA: 3.3 (Don't look too much into this score...I was a procrastinator in high school and didn't ever study at home. My senior year I got three 3.5s and a 3.8 but still didn't study much after school.)
Class Rank: Top 25%
Hobby: Computers</p>
<p>More information:
I'm more of a solitary person and spend most of my time on the computer. Whether it be playing FPS games, designing websites, or learning how to use software like Adobe and CAD. I spend way too much time on the computer but it's been like this for six years now. I built my own custom gaming rig in January which was a good experience.</p>
<p>I've been looking at Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering. I'd like to learn how to design websites from scratch, design FPS games, and software programming. I also have an interest working in CAD for an auto company. My favorite part of physics was the electrical unit that we did for a semester. So you can see where all of the above majors tie in.</p>
<p>I originally thought Computer Science was the answer but the more I looked into it the less I thought of it that way. It seems that CS is more about algorithms and theories rather than actually putting software to use in programs. I don't want to learn a bunch of languages 'just to know them' I want to create programs and be able to apply my knowledge. This is where CE and ME looks more promising as I'll actually get to put what I'm learning 'to use'. BUT I have no interest in manufacturing design and things of that nature which ME focuses on.</p>
<p>Well, depending on the CS program and one’s choice of electives, CS can very much be about “software engineering”, which is what I think you’re interested in. Some schools have a “software engineering” major that is separate from the CS degree.</p>
<p>That being said, any CS degree will allow you to do the following things:
Design FPS games (you may actually even take a class in game development and computer graphics, so the rest would be on you)
Software Programming (for better or for worse, a lot of what a CS major does is write programs, and these increase in size and difficulty depending on the class. For the student who wants intensive programming experience, this is usually not hard to find.)</p>
<p>Most CS programs I’m aware of won’t teach web-design, or at least won’t count it for credit for a CS major. I would imagine that’s more in the realm of an IT major. Of course, you can always take an elective or two, or get a minor, or something.</p>
<p>CE could be a good option, but remember that the “software” it will involve won’t be what you might think of when you say “software” - video games, office applications, simulations, and the like - but will be less… for lack of a better word, “sexy” stuff, like OS-level utilities, device drivers, etc.</p>
<p>As far as I know, ME doesn’t involve much on the software side. However, I suppose it would involve making machines. I don’t know. I will say that I think that CS/SE/CE and even EE majors are privileged (particularly the first two) in being able to “make” a lot more “real” stuff than the other engineers. Programs are free to write, and easy to turn in and grade. They don’t require any special equipment to make and if they’re broken, nobody’s going to get hurt. A lot of a regular engineering degree is theory, that’s what I’m trying to say… either math, physics, or the “theory” of engineering.</p>
<p>ME is not all manufacturing, for the record, but making software is one of the lighter tasks done by most MEs. It is mainly scripting within larger FEA/CAD/CFD programs where MEs use their programming skills. Also, if you want to just operate CAD for a company, that is better accomplished with a 2 year degree in CAD, not with a full blown ME degree.</p>
<p>CS almost always has different paths you can take to do different things, and making software is definitely one of them. Sure there is a lot of theory and algorithms and stuff to do, and a lot of languages to learn, but how do you think your FPS games were made? Games use tons of algorithms to do things, it is just that you don’t see them. All you see is what the 3-D programmers and designers made, and what the real CS guys did was what drives the game in the background. If you want to be the artist for the game, I think getting a 4 year degree is again barking up the wrong tree.</p>
<p>CE majors, as AuburnMathTutor said, do most of their programming in the realm of OS utilities and device drivers, and do an even larger part of their work being more like specialized EEs in my experience. Someone else should elaborate on that though because I am not a CE or EE.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. So far this is how I feel about the following:</p>
<p>ME: I have a great interest in automobiles but don’t feel that I’m most interested in this major. CS: I have an interest in creating computer programs and algorithms but I feel that this may be too focused of a major for me. EE: I have an interest in circuits but CE is attractive in that it puts the circuits to ‘use’ per say. CE: As of now I feel that this is the most wide spread major of the bunch and am leaning towards it.</p>
<p>I have a few more specific questions about the above majors just to get a better idea of what one does more specifically.
[ul]
[<em>]When designing a paintball gun what is the primarily used degree. EE for the circuits, or CE because the circuits all have commands? Besides the circuits what would be the primary degree used for designing the marker function type (spoole valve/poppit valve), ME? What degree for designing the housing of all the internal parts?
[</em>]When designing a guitar amp EE is the primary needed degree, correct?
[<em>]When designing a robot CE is the main degree used but when designing artificial intelligence CS is the main degree used, correct?
[</em>]When working with electronics in general EE is the main degree? But what about when the electronic needs to use software?
[/ul]</p>
<p>Any help with the above would be greatly appreciated.</p>
Rote application doesn’t require a college degree. Building a car has little to do with knowing how to design one. Anyone can code in x language with enough practice, but actual understanding of algorithms is applicable to any language.</p>
<p>Paint ball gun - 99% ME (no reason to invent something thats already available.)
Amp - 100% EE
Robot - 85% ME, some EE for control systems (see above)</p>
<p>All engineers cross boundaries; ME just crosses more than either EE, CS, or CE.</p>