<p>Hello CC,</p>
<p>Got a question for you guys. So I'm stuck between BSc. Eng ECE or BSc Computer Science.
Now the thing is I'm not sure which path is better since I want to do a masters later on. I really enjoy doing math and physics but I also love computers and programming. Career-wise I want to work in a top tech company(Google, Ms, IBM, Hp, Amazon) after/while getting an MSc. </p>
<p>My question is, will the ECE allow me a masters in computer science? Or should I do CS straight? </p>
<p>I love the hardware part too but I'm stuck.</p>
<p>Now about CS, is it better to double major CS with pure or applied maths with some computer engineering electives?</p>
<p>I'm asking all these since I want to apply to some top 5 graduate schools in the US later on and from what I heard, MIT admits less CS students compared to EE for the Masters/Phd program. If it matters, I'm not going to a US university for the undergrad.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Edit: Career-wise which one would be better? Better pay, better life, etc.</p>
<p>Depending on program requirements, your choice of electives, and what you want to do research in, it may or may not be possible to get into a good CS graduate program with an undergraduate degree in ECE. For many specializations and programs, however, you should not encounter too many difficulties.</p>
<p>CE is considered more of hardware engineering than science which is more of software.</p>
<p>Many people do CS at a master’s level with an Engineering undergrad. However, if your goal is CS, there is no specific reason for you to do ECE undergrad.</p>
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<p>Yes and not necessary.</p>
<p>The difference between ECE and CS is not that great. At UW Seattle (one of the top 10 schools for CS/CE), from what I understand, CS path gives you some flexibility with more slots to take classes in emerging fields like computational biology and other inter-disciplinary areas. (Also, it is much easier to do double-dip and get a dual degree in CS and math than CE and Math.)</p>
<p>One of the nice things about graduate CS programs is that you only need about 4 “CS Core” courses to qualify for admission (and their pre-reqs of course):</p>
<p>Algorithms
Data Structures
Theory of Programming Languages
Operating Systems</p>
<p>The pre-reqs are: Introductory Programming I & II, Discrete Math Structures and Computer Organization. Most undergrad EE/CompE programs nowadays require those same pre-reqs anyway. Most Math programs require the Programming and Discrete Structures and even most Physics programs require at least the Introductory programming.</p>
<p>All and all, just make sure that you fit in the “CS Core” and you are OK for most M.S./M.Eng in CS programs.</p>