<p>Is it possible? Has anyone done it? Why would anyone do it? I heart a CE is a mixture of CS and EE. CE is also more focused on hardware side of computers than CS, which focuses more on software? Is this true? Would this be good for job placements?</p>
<p>CS doesn't focus on computers. Here: </p>
<p>"Computer Science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes."
-- E W Dijkstra. </p>
<p>"Dijkstra is also noted for owning only one computer (late in life) and rarely actually using them[2], in keeping with his conviction that computer science was more abstract than mere programming, expressed in a number of famous sayings such as "Computer Science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes."[3]"</p>
<p>see: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edsger_Dijkstra%5B/url%5D">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edsger_Dijkstra</a></p>
<p>(I, of course, do understand what you actually mean, and I do understand that computer science is about computers and that you can't do anything interesting without computers but that's just food for thought, and something no one ever thinks about.)</p>
<p>you are correct that computer engineering is a mix of both EE and CS. It really depends on what you want to do. If you want to do hardware or lower level programming then computer engineering is fine. If you really like programming at the high or low level, and love the software side more, then CS is better for you.
If you love the development of software then software engineering is for you.</p>
<p>The real difference is if you do computer engineering you will have skills in circuits and will be an engineer. if you do computer science you will pretty much only do the software side and always assume that the hardware will be done for you.</p>
<p>If you want to do both, thats fine it really should not be to many more classes. But you would want to go for computer engineering then double major in CS. Id like to warn you that the two topics are very similar and the one degree would probably be enough.</p>
<p>Both are good for job placements, but if you plan to just program or develop then why bother with the computer engineering, the knowledge of circuits will be great but well wont do you anything in a programming setting. If you want to make hardware then you will need a Computer engineering degree.</p>
<p>A Computer Engineering grad could probably find a job as a software engineer, but a CS grad is unlikely to find a job as a hardware designer. If you really don't know which you would prefer, I'd think engineering for a single choice, or double major. If you DO know which you prefer, I might just go with Vinny's suggestions.</p>
<p>thank you very much for the helpful information</p>
<p>Do you like hardware or software? For former, go CE, for latter go CS. There are a certain amount of cross-over, but that's the general idea. Both have plenty of jobs provide you go to a respectable program.</p>
<p>Actually, it is possible. My major was "Computer Science and Computer Engineering" before I changed it. To be fair, though, that's offered as a 4-year, single major, not a double major.</p>
<p>Isn't there more investments in R&D in hardware computers (CE) than software (CS) in the US? I read the "Technology Review" magazine and it showed several graphs and statistics. Where do you get your tech info from?</p>
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Is it possible? Has anyone done it? Why would anyone do it? I heart a CE is a mixture of CS and EE. CE is also more focused on hardware side of computers than CS, which focuses more on software? Is this true? Would this be good for job placements?
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<p>I am actually lukewarm about this double-major combination as I am about ALL double-majors, for the simple reason that nobody really cares. You don't get much of a boost in the job market with a double, and certainly not when you examine how much extra effort you have to spend in getting the double. From a pure employment standpoint, you are probably far better off in spending your time practicing your interviewing/public-speaking skills, doing lots of networking with people in the industry, and doing internships/co-ops than spending your time in trying to complete a double. </p>
<p>Many times have I seen people with a double-major lose out on a job offer to somebody with just a single major, because the latter guy is able to dazzle them in the interview. I will vividly remember one guy who did a double-major who regrets it now, saying that he should have spent that time practicing his interview and social skills instead. There is little point in spending lots of effort in getting a double, and then not getting the job that you want.</p>
<p>Be aware it may depend on the college as some will not recognize such a double major, e.g., UIUC, though you could take all the required courses it will not award a double major in CE and CS.</p>
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From a pure employment standpoint, you are probably far better off in spending your time practicing your interviewing/public-speaking skills, doing lots of networking with people in the industry, and doing internships/co-ops than spending your time in trying to complete a double.
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<p>Totally agree.</p>
<p>Even from the skill standpoint, once you learn one of them(CE/CS) really well, it's not hard to pick up the other one. You really don't need to get double degrees to switch jobs between software/hardware.</p>
<p>You can major in either ONE of computer engineering or computer science or electrical engineering and tailor your electives to basically produce the equivalent a double major.</p>
<p>I was a computational mathematics major (as an undergrad) who also took additional CS courses. If you were to see my list of total courses, it looked like a math major with a CS emphasis OR a CS major with a math emphasis.</p>