<p>I have never programmed anything in my life. I am just an average teenager looking for a major. I am interested in computers obviously. But I dont know which one I prefer. I love playing Video Games and am a graphics enthusiast, I spend much of my time with my Ipad. But I also like to build computers and love to see how powerful the hardware is. I also love physics as well.</p>
<p>Simple solution, take a few classes in each. They should share a lot of the same pre-reqs and lower division classes (math, physics, basic CS/EE), and taking a couple of EE/CS classes will give you a better feel of what each major is about, and which you prefer.</p>
<p>So…computer engineering…?</p>
<p>Haha perfect Philovitist. Best of both worlds, absolutely ridiculous that I didn’t think of that. If I major in CE in undergrad, can I major in CS or EE based on which I like best in grad school?</p>
<p>Yes, for sure. Or in Computer Engineering again.</p>
<p>Given that you’ve never done programming, I think EE or CE makes more sense than CS. If you are serious about considering CS as a major, try to learn a programming language now. What year in HS are you?</p>
<p>Uh, don’t say that. Most people start CS w/o prior experience.</p>
<p>Just take some classes and figure out what you like. Computer engineering is a good way to go, and you can always use graduate school to specialize, if that’s what you end up wanting to do.</p>
<p>That said, enjoying video games and tablets and a PC-building hobby are neither necessary nor sufficient indications of an aptitude for CS, CE or EE. Don’t be surprised - or let down - if you start studying these things and realize your calling is elsewhere.</p>
<p>Oh absolutely, I understand that completely. I just said that to show that I do have an interest in technology/sciences. I am a junior in HS. My school doesn’t really offer any advanced programming classes, I am taking Comp A+ Technology next year, which is supposed to expose some of the things that EE/CS majors deal with, but its mostly a BS class. I dont really have time to program as I am trying to focus on clubs, grades, and Standardized tests(over summer). Along with college essays next year. When I do get time, I will take a look.</p>
<p>Potential majors for you:
EE: electrical engineering, a huge field containing everything from antennas to signal processing. Called ECE at my school, so names may not always be standard.
CE: computer engineering, a subset of EE focused entirely on computers (includes some programming but this is not the focus), often CE degrees are given by the EE department, or you major in EE and choose computers as your focus. CE’s always take at least one or two programming classes and will continue to use programming. Unfortunately they don’t always learn good programming practices or more advanced data structures and algorithms. However they are taught low-level programming. This is offically called ECE at my school.
CS: computer science, a branch of math. CS majors also study computer programming and software engineering. Theory will include data structures and algorithm analysis, trees, graphs, formal languages, computability, sets, etc. Practical areas of study include OSes, compilers, networks, databases, graphics, languages like C++ and Python to implement the data structures and algorithms you learned earlier. CS majors always learn at least a little CE in the form of assembly language programming, basics of microprocessors and computer systems (registers, how programs are executed at the byte-level, stacks, etc.) This degree is called CIS at my school.
CSE: a hybrid between CE and CS. Not every school offers it but the better ones do. Usually, you have some control over which side to emphasize more, CE or CS.
Physics: Pretty much what it says. Every engineering major takes about a year of calc-based introductory physics, spanning classical and modern. This sequence is great for letting you know what things you like and what things you hate. If you find you hate studying things like friction, force, and momentum, you’ve learned you shouldn’t major in either physics or mechanical engineering. If you find you hate working with electrical circuits, you’ve learned you shouldn’t major in EE. If you learn you hate quantum mechanics or relativity (though you barely cover this), you shouldn’t major in physics. Etc. Many schools have an intro to engineering sequence where you do different types of labs and learn what you like and don’t like.
Engineering physics: a degree that not every school has, but the way it works is usually like majoring in physics but instead of taking two semesters of quantum you take one, and instead of two semesters of electricity and magnetism you take one, and things like thermodynamics and optics will be electives rather than requirements. In place of these physics classes you take engineering classes. Which engineering? Your choice. Some schools only offer a few choices, at my school I have eight (including nuclear engineering, which quickens the pace at which students can get a NE masters).</p>
<p>My point is that whatever you decide now will likely change, and since all the the routes above have similar first years, it’s okay to wait to make up your mind.</p>
<p>I was originally going to be CE or CSE, until I found out from the physics classes that I didn’t like electronics nearly enough to be a full-fledged CE. But I adored the physics and I always adored programming, so then I was thinking CSE with a physics minor. Then I decided I liked physics enough to do engineering physics (at my school you have lots of leeway in whether you want to emphasize physics or engineering more). For years, being a gaming enthusiast, I was interested in assembly because the best graphics programmers used assembly to get the most performance out of consoles. But my first class in assembly/microprocessor stuff killed off my interest in assembly. (plus compilers are so good these days that it’s way less important) I think it also killed off my interest in learning more about the workings of microprocessors! I was way more interested in the physics, but my love of programming has never gone away.</p>
<p>Right now I’m on track to <em>almost</em> qualify for a double major in engineering physics and CSE, but it’s not worth it to take the two or three extra classes in subjects I don’t give a crap about. I plan to go to grad school for physics, but I’m engineering physics with a CS concentration and I couldn’t be happier with my degree.</p>
<p>Whatever you do, get at least a minor in CS.</p>
<p>Unfortunately I don’t have any references to know what compilers and python is and if I like it. However, you have given me a plethora of valuable information and I enjoyed reading it. I too have a love for physics, but I feel it would be too premature to say if I truly do have an affinity towards it (I watch a lot of physics documentaries about the theoretical side).</p>
<p>Hey dark do you know which engineering field specialized towards computer processor, motherboard, graphics card and cell phones processor, antenna etc. Basically for a job at intel, amd, qualcomm, NVIDIA, etc. Obviously it will be extremely hard to get a job at those big name companies but companies similar to them are fine…not to hijack this thread but I think this will be helpful to both of us…</p>
<p>Again, that’s computer engineering.</p>
<p>Yea absolutely, I would love to work for one of those companies, or even the big googles and apples type companies. I am guessing computer engineering would also work for companies such as Blizzard, Bioware, the big gaming companies as well.</p>
<p>It seems the best option is to Major in ECE or CE, and minor in CS. I am cautious of how difficult this combination will be as I am very interested in some of the top grad schools. Getting a high GPA will be difficult as it is, how much more trouble will I be putting myself into if I minor in arguably next to Physics, the hardest major.</p>
<p>There’s plenty of software-only jobs at places like NVIDIA or Intel… Device drivers, applications, and the like. Easier to get in with an EE/CE/CSE degree tho.</p>
<p>So, even for cell phones and stuff its computer engineering ? </p>
<p>Will you have less job opportunities by majoring in computer engineering instead of electrical engineering ? </p>
<p>@darkaeroga I wouldn’t suggest majoring in ECE with CS minor…CE and CS are fine</p>
<p>I find it so odd that some schools have CEs with CS minors. Usually, the best computer engineering degrees are the ones that you take 55-65% EE classes with 35-45% CS courses with electives that give you the flexibility to learn more on the CS or EE side. Computer Engineering is not field but a program that combine knowledge from CS and EE.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>With a handful of exceptions (mainly the console makers), video game companies are software companies, not hardware companies, so CS rather than CE is a better match for working for a software company. That said, it used to be the case (and probably still is to some extent) that game companies wanted assembly language programmers and people who knew hardware well, and the average CE is probably better at assembly than the average CS (unless the CS major has made it a specialty of theirs) and hardware is what CE’s specialize in, so for certain positions at some companies, a CE instead of a CS could be a boon.</p>
<p>Like I said though, compilers these days are so darn good that assembly is not used nearly as much as it used to be, even in gaming.</p>
<p>You said you didn’t know about compilers or anything. Did you know that you can download all the software you need to start programming for free and start learning right now? Did you know you can even start with in-browser interactive tutorials?</p>
<p>[5</a> Ways To Learn Code From The Comfort Of Your Own Browser | TechCrunch](<a href=“http://techcrunch.com/2012/08/21/5-ways-to-learn-code-from-the-comfort-of-your-own-browser/]5”>5 Ways To Learn Code From The Comfort Of Your Own Browser | TechCrunch)</p>
<p>The truth is, LOTS of people get hired as programmers from the EE, CE, CS, and physics disciplines, even though CS is the degree that officially prepares you for a career in software and the others officially do not.</p>
<p>It all depends on the electives they took.</p>
<p>From what I’ve read, most job growth will be in software engineering, since everything is moving to the cloud right now.</p>