Computer Engineering or computer science?

<p>So at the moment, my major is Computer Engineering. For the fall, I’ve registered for Math 21A, ECS 30, EEC 1 and ENL 3. I think I want to switch my major to Computer Science (in the college of letters and science). What are the main differences between the two majors? And how soon can i do this? And also for computer sci, only ~100 units are required for the degree but to graduate, a minimum of 180 units are required. So are the rest of the 80 units just GEs or…?</p>

<p>CS is software focused, while CE is hardware focused. You’ll also have a lot of electrical engineering classes for CE, which you don’t have with CS (though you can take them if you want).</p>

<p>CS has a lot more schedule flexibility by virtue of being in L&S; College of Engineering majors have little flexibility just due to the nature of the college requirements, and that’s true regardless of which engineering major you’re talking about.</p>

<p>You can switch in winter quarter. The only requirements for switching into CS are to have been at UCD for at least a quarter and to have taken at least one ECS class (30, in your case).</p>

<p>The other 80 units can be whatever you want. Another major, a minor, more CS classes beyond your requirements, random classes that interest you…you just need to get to 180 units (with at least 64 of those upper division).</p>

<p>I am more into programming and coding. I’m not that great when it comes to physics- and I saw in computer science, the physics 9A-B-C series is optional. </p>

<p>So should I change any of my classes that i’ve scheduled for the Fall?
And I can switch before I sign up for Winter quarter classes?</p>

<p>So in computer science, there are 54 upper division units. In addition to this i can take ANY upper division class so that it brings my total upper division units to >64?</p>

<p>@PhantomVirgo‌ Thanks for all the help!</p>

<p>Sounds like CS is more of a fit for you, then.</p>

<p>EEC 1 is the only one that you should potentially switch out. Everything else is typical for a CS major. Still, I would probably keep EEC 1 for right now in case you do decide to stick with CE; it looks like it’s required, and being as it’s listed as being offered only in fall quarter it doesn’t hurt to keep it…besides that, it’s only 1 unit.</p>

<p>You’ll need to wait until it’s actually winter quarter to switch majors. After that point you can do it whenever, but sooner is better. The CS department usually starts allowing appointments for major changes around the second week of the quarter, so plan for that.</p>

<p>Yup. The university doesn’t care what classes you take, so long as you meet degree requirements for your declared major, finish GEs, and meet all unit requirements (including the upper division minimum). Most people I know either take on a minor or take additional CS classes to get the additional upper division units, but it comes down to personal choice.</p>

<p>It’s no problem. Let me know if you have any other questions!</p>

<p>@PhantomVirgo‌ is it a good idea to take both EEC 1(1 unit) and ENG 001 (1 unit) this quarter? EEC 1 is required for my major but since I only have 13 units at the moment, I thought I could take ENG 001too. Are both classes almost the same? They sound like they’d have an overlapping syllabus.</p>

<p>I don’t know about the specifics of either of those classes, but yeah they do look similar. Being as ENG 1 isn’t required, I wouldn’t take it. If you’re looking for more units that aren’t too intensive, think about a freshman seminar. Listing here: <a href=“http://cetl.ucdavis.edu/courses-and-events/first-year-seminars/#frs-schedule”>http://cetl.ucdavis.edu/courses-and-events/first-year-seminars/#frs-schedule&lt;/a&gt; A lot of them are full now, but it doesn’t hurt to check it out regardless.</p>

<p>Yeah because the freshmen seminars were full, I looked at this option.
Have you taken EEC 1? What exactly is it about? And how are the midterms/finals? Is there weekly homework? What are you graded on?
Thanks for you help @PhantomVirgo‌ </p>

<p>I haven’t taken EEC 1, no.</p>

<p>Okay. Thanks anyways.</p>