<p>What's it like taking the courses? What is the level of difficulty? What courses do you wish you couldv'e taken in HS? What's the hardest thing about it? Easiest thing? What is the best thing? Worst thing?</p>
<p>Just fill me in on information in CS and CE.</p>
<p>-What's it like taking the course, and the difficulty?
I am currently a CS major at UIUC, and the courses aren't that bad I suppose.
Hardest classes are probably theory classes like discrete math or theory of computation.
Programming oriented classes are a bit more easy I suppose. This is mainly because it isn't as theoratical (it can be theoratical by the way, depending on professor. The current professor teaching CS 225 also teaches CS 173(discrete math), making the course to be more theoratical)</p>
<p>-Courses I wish I had taken in HS-
It would have been better if you had CS classes back in HS since it will make your background knowledge richer, but its not necessary. Other than that, it would be good to take AP physics or AP chem to lighten out your engineering requirement. </p>
<p>-The best thing
The best thing? Hot girls in CS! /sarcasm
Nothings really that awesome, you will have to spend more time studying compared to liberal arts major, or even some engineering majors if your in CS. The only thing awesome that I can think of is that your progressing through a rigourous curriculum, making you a better person overall.</p>
<p>-Worst thing
Projects (known as machine problems at UIUC) are killers. These take time, and a lot of effort. Some MPs took me more than 2 weeks to complete. However, if you collaborate and work in groups, I guess it won't be that bad I suppose.</p>
<p>P.S. - I wrote this based on UIUC, so probably you will get different opinions from people who are attending schools with harder curriculum I suppose.</p>
<p>My son is considering computer science, but might also be interested in computer engineering. Can someone give a good overall explaination of the differences in the two. He is interested in both the course work that would be involved and the types of careers that one could go into.</p>
<p>I am interested in CS too. I am planning on doing a double major of cs along with math. I have some background in programming. I know C++ and Java and I have experience making java bots for online games etc. Will that help me in regards to other that dont know anything about programming?</p>
<p>Btw, is CS considered an engineering degree since it is taught in the College of Engineering in the school Im going.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Btw, is CS considered an engineering degree since it is taught in the College of Engineering in the school Im going.
[/quote]
The most commonly-accepted benchmark for "real" engineering programs is accreditation by ABET/EAC. For example, all US states legally require or prefer ABET/EAC degrees for professional engineering licensure. </p>
<p>Computer Science programs don't qualify for ABET/EAC accreditation, even if they are taught in an Engineering School. CompSci programs are eligible for ABET/CAC accreditation, but this is not legally equivalent to the ABET/EAC accreditation that engineering programs have. </p>
<p>Computer Engineering programs, on the other hand, commonly do have ABET/EAC accreditation, and are therefore considered "real" engineering degrees, just like mechanical or civil degrees. In general, CompEng requires more study of traditional engineering subjects (like physics and chemistry), and it addresses both hardware and software. In general, CompSci is focused more narrowly on software and programming.</p>
<p>Occupationally, there is probably a great deal of overlap between CompSci and CompEng grads. If you were interested in computer hardware, or hardware-software interaction, then you might gravitate towards CompEng. If you were primarily interested in software, then you might prefer CompSci.</p>
<p>^^ Here comes a debate on accreditation.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Here comes a debate on accreditation.
[/quote]
I hope not, because I'm not trying to provoke one. There is more confusion than disagreement on accreditation issues in this field. For the record:</p>
<p>(1) For engineering degrees in traditional, state-regulated disciplines (e.g. civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical), ABET/EAC accreditation is important. Any reputable school should have ABET/EAC accreditation in these fields.</p>
<p>(2) For engineering degrees in non-regulated disciplines (e.g. biomedical, computer engineering), ABET/EAC accreditation has little or no legal significance. Many perfectly good schools don't bother with ABET/EAC accreditation in such cases. Others do have it, but it's optional. </p>
<p>(3) For CS degrees, ABET/CAC accreditation has little or no legal significance. As in (2), many good schools don't bother with it. Some do have it, but it's optional.</p>
<p>I thought someone was going to bring up the points you just made. So nevermind. :)</p>
<p>Not to confuse the issue even more, but...
Out here in California most of the UC's offer
CS, CE, and CSE. would anyone care to explain the differences?</p>
<p>CS degrees are typically offered by CS departments, and focus primarily on software. They are not considered engineering degrees; in fact, the CS department is often outside the engineering school.</p>
<p>CompE degrees are typically offered by EE/CompE departments within the engineering school; CompE programs address both hardware and software. They may or may not have the same professional accreditation as traditional engineering degrees; some schools (including very good ones) don't bother with the official accreditation, since CompE is not a state-regulated discipline.</p>
<p>At some larger schools, you may get other computer-related degree options. These may reflect more administrative differences than technical differences. You'll have to review them on a case-by-case basis. </p>
<p>At UC Davis, for example, the "Computer Science & Engineering Degree" is similar to the "Computer Engineering" degree: both are accredited engineering degrees, and both cover hardware and software. The primary difference is that the former degree is administered through the Computer Science Dept., and the latter is administered through the Electrical and Computer Engineering Dept.</p>
<p>CS is more software-oriented, but I think you need to be a bit careful when you characterize it as "narrowly focussed on software and programming."
CS is a lot more than programming or software development. In upper division courses you learn about computation theory, language theory, complexity, system architecture, AI, and other fascinating topics that are more abstract and theoretical. Programming is merely a tool.</p>
<p>To those who are looking into a career in computer science or engineering: Neither CS nor CE is "harder" than the other. They are equally hard. Neither discipline is better in terms of career prospects. My advise is take a couple of courses in both, and choose the major that suits your interests and strengths.</p>
<p>"CS degrees are typically offered by CS departments, and focus primarily on software. They are not considered engineering degrees; in fact, the CS department is often outside the engineering school."</p>
<p>Within the UC system in California CS is offered inside of the engineering schools. I have seen a few schools where the CS department is not in the engineering school, but this seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Should one be wary of a CS program that is not within the engineering department? I know my son wants to earn a BS and not a BA, but is a BS earned in CS outside of an engineering school somehow less respectable?</p>