<p>Well, this particular topic has been bothering me so I would like to ask for some advice. Since I was a kid, I have always loved computers like they were a part of me. I was dead set on computer engineering. Later, I can across computer science and felt it was just another name for computer engineering. While in 12th grade,after loads and loads of career talks, I was talked into having a BSc in electrical enigneering then Masters in Computer engineering. Is that smart???? I was told I would have an advantage if I get a BSc in e.e. instead of computer eng. Is that true??? Or can I just double major in both? Or maybe minor in computer?? Btw what is the difference between comp. science and comp. eng. It is really bugging me and I don't want to make a wrong choice. Pls, I need advice. Any would be much appreciated!!!</p>
<p>All three are good choices (i.e. good chance of getting a job after graduation), so you should just major in what you like.</p>
<p>At my university (and probably many others), the first two years of EE and CE are basically identical aside from 1 or 2 courses… You should have enough exposure to both to let you decide which you prefer more. Later on, the CEs focus more on the algorithms / programming / digital system courses and EEs take more electromagnetics / power system courses.</p>
<p>I don’t really know about CS, but from what I hear, it is a lot more theory on the programming side and a lot less hardware courses.</p>
<p>Computer science deals with the software side, so involves plenty of programming. What you specifically go into decides what other, more conceptual things you learn, though CS students will go through data structures and algorithm courses. </p>
<p>In terms of some specific areas of CS, people go into graphics (like for gaming and animation), cryptology/security, data mining/machine learning, artificial intelligence, software engineering, etc. </p>
<p>I know many go the security or software engineering route, but there are many other areas, though some are very mathematical and complex and generally require more advanced degrees to get really into it. </p>
<p>Also, to my knowledge, computer engineers are the engineers that try to mesh hardware and software together so they work in unison, though I don’t know for sure.</p>
<p>yes thats pretty smart. The rule of thumb is, EE’s can do anything a CE can do…but not necessarily the other way around. EE curriculum involves a lot of analog and mixed signals…not just digital, and you can take electives like Antenna design if you want that you might not be prepared for if you follow a CE curriculum. </p>
<p>You might want to major in EE and minor in CS to get some of the programming experience you need.</p>
<p>One EE + CS double major I know has told me that a lot of pure EE people suck at programming. That may be an area where a CE person has an advantage.</p>
<p>Since the other posters don’t seem to have been very clear on the differences between all three, I’ll break it down for you.</p>
<p>Computer Science (CS) is purely software. You will always be doing programming. You will have a limited/nonexistent understanding of hardware. This is not a disadvantage for software. You will be qualified for any programming / software job.</p>
<p>Computer engineering (CE) is typically, but not always a mix of low-level software and hardware. You will take both CS and Electrical Engineering classes. HOWEVER, this depends on the university you go to because the definition varies. So you need to look at the course catalog and see what are the differences in terms of courses. You typically get a job in “systems” software development or computer hardware. CE is a lot less clear cut in this regard since it’s a mix of software and hardware.</p>
<p>Electrical engineering (EE) is purely hardware. There is almost slight overlap between it and CS. There is overlap with CE. You will have a limited knowledge of software. You typically get a job in electronics or computer hardware. Depending on the specific field of EE you go into, you may find yourself “coding” in a chip design language, but it is almost nothing like software engineering.</p>
<p>None of these majors have any inherent, clear-cut advantages over one another.</p>
<p>What do YOU want to do as a career?
Do you want to design computer chips / hardware / electronics (examples: CPUs, actual physical smartphones, wireless routers)?
Or do you want to design/create software (examples: operating systems like Windows, apps like Microsoft Word, websites, databases, smartphone apps)?</p>
<p>Thanks again @terenc … At least now I have a clear view of what I’m looking at… Btw… Software appeals to me more… But I think I would love to take some hardware classes…or maybe read on it…</p>