<p>My son is interested in Computer Science (SOFTWARE) and in Olin. He very much loves the tiny school / honor code / intimate classes of Olin, but I'm concerned about the actual ability to get an Engineering: Computing degree. When we visited last summer (school closed), about half the 10 kids there were interested in CS, but Olin's catalog doesn't appear to have many classes. Is the E:C degree viable? Does it reach critical mass? Will he have to take all his CS classes at Welleseley/Brandeis?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>These questions really need to be directed to the school's faculty and administration, as they are the only ones who can actually answer your questions. Since Olin is so new, it's still building up its programs and class offerings. Even current students (and there are just a few of them) can't tell you what might be there next fall.</p>
<p>I think if he wants to do E:C, he can take most of the classes at Olin, but may want to take higher level courses off-campus. Of course, that could change, as worried_mom states. My S is a freshman at Olin, probably doing ECE, but I can't speak with any authority about coursework. What I will say is, if it's at all possible, try to visit while school is in session so you can talk to students and see what they're doing and also talk to professors--who are very accommodating. It's an amazing place!</p>
<p>There are PLENTY of classes here at Olin for ECE. Not to worry.
BTW...Olin is a GREAT school.
Best of luck to your son in his college search.</p>
<p>ECE = computer engineering, which at some school is a subset of electrical engineering. it deals with fabricating and designing of computer related things.
CS = computer science. it's software programing.</p>
<p>ECE != CS: ECE does not equal CS. Some school's ECE program teaches a bit about programming, but definitely not as extensive as a full out CS program.</p>
<p>Yes, that's true, I'm sorry my post wasn't clearer. ECE is not the same as E:C. The current Olin catalog implies that most students in E:C will take classes off campus---but so will most Oliners at one time or another (perhaps not ones so vital to their degree). It still would be best if you contacted someone in the department to get more specific details.</p>
<p>I'm an E:C major, and it's definitely doable. There aren't many required computing classes. If your son is already determined to do E:C, he shouldn't have a problem planning for just taking Olin classes for his major. I'm planning on doing one or two major requirements at Wellesley, just because I want to try out the different environment.</p>
<p>I was an E:C Major up until my senior year when I realized that the most of the classes that I had taken for my core engineering counted as electives towards an ECE degree and that the electives I had taken (ECE classes) counted as the core classes for an ECE degree, I went ahead and made the switch, mostly so that I could say that I had an Electrical and Computer Engineering degree instead of a General Engineering with a specialization in Computing.</p>
<p>That said, it hasn't mattered much for me either way as I decided to get in film and television production once I graduated and really haven't looked back. My current project, "Under the Boardwalk", a documentary about Monopoly, is in full swing and we hope to get it into theaters late next year. MonopolyDocumentary.com</p>
<p>Kevin T
Olin '06</p>
<p>So, the entrepeneurship focus worked for you, huh? Congratulations!</p>
<p>Thanks GeekMom63. Strangely enough, I didn't really take many entrepreneurship-focused classes while at Olin, but I guess it is involved inherently in so many elements of what we learn that it becomes almost intuitive.</p>