<p>I have completed year 1 general engineering at Carleton University in Canada with relative ease. I am looking to transfer to a more recognized university like U of Toronto or Queen's. I'm set on getting a degree in the computer field. Looks like I've narrowed it down to 3 choices. Computer Science, Software Engineering and Computer Systems Engineering. </p>
<p>My understanding is CS and SE deal mostly with software and CSE deals more with hardware. I really enjoyed my first year programming course so I am leaning towards CS and SE.</p>
<p>Now, I've done a bit of research and can't seem to determine the difference between CS and SE. Can anyone with experience in both fields shed some light on this?</p>
<p>I think at most schools, they treat those two the same. But I imagine that CS deals with topics like Artificial Intelligence, Cryptology, data mining, graphics, etc (more mathematical aspects) and then software engineering has to do with developing professional and organized code for whatever purposes.</p>
<p>Those on here in the field can fill in the blanks better, however, but this is what I am speculating is the difference out where you are at.</p>
<p>As far as I know software engineers study ways to create programs like managing the team and designing the program etc… that is in addition to the regular CS courses and the degree is 4 years long instead of 3, generally speaking the 4th year is mostly regarded as a waste of time by most, the two degrees will open the same opportunities and a year working will teach you more about various aspects of SE than a year at university</p>
<p>^you are completely wrong. A CS degree that is only 3 years long is not a real CS degree( Probably an IT degree with “CS” as its name). Usually completing a CS takes 5 years because CS is way to broad. Finishing a BS in CS in 3 years is impossible. Software Engineering is a subset of CS that cuts off math courses, algorithms, advance programming, theory of computation, hardware, and others. Software engineering is probably better if you want to do software and you are not that good at math but if you want a deeper understanding of how programming and computers work, CS is better. If you want to do video games, do CS with Math minor( or double major CS & math)</p>