<p>So here's the thing. Of all the classes I have ever taken, my favorite was AP Computer Science because I really like designing and implementing ("engineering", if you will) algorithms. So for I while, I thought I'd just major in CS and be happy. However, as I am taking AP physics and Calculus, I am realizing that I like math and physics quite a bit, and CS doesn't really apply Calculus-style math or physics. Thus, I've been thinking about majoring in EE, because right now it seems to me that engineering component of EE would involve very similar skills and would be similar to designing algorithms, but EE also involves math and physics. IS there any truth to this assumption I am making? I would really appreciate input from people with experience both in basic CS and EE.</p>
<p>My first piece of advice is that all engineers take a similar core during their freshman/sophomore years and that it is very typical for students to change majors–you shouldn’t feel any pressure to decide your path RIGHT now.</p>
<p>With that said, it depends on the physics you like. Are you more interested in the Mechanics (F=MA)? If so, Civil, ASE or Mechanical engineering might be for you. Keep in mind that all engineering disciplines will utilize math and the difference between the most math intensive and the least could just be 2-3 classes. </p>
<p>It seems to me that EE/Computer Engineering might be a good match for you. You’ll have exposure to computer science and programming, especially if you specialize in computer engineering but will still have the heavy math/physics background.</p>
<p>I’m placing out of most of the common courses that engineering majors share (CS I n II, physics I n II, calc I n II, chem), so I won’t have the one year “major limbo” period most students experience. I’m not sure what kind of physics I like most, since I have only done mechanics so far. Is mechanics really that different from E&M?</p>
<p>Also, I don’t want to do CE, because it seems to me like doing CE is like having half a degree in CS and half a degree in EE. I’d much rather be an expert in either hardware or software, not a jack-of-all-trades. Additionally, the classes that I think sound most interesting in EE and CS are classes that CE’s don’t take: signal processing, solid-state physics, AI, computer vision, etc</p>
<p>I am rather surprised that your school would let you place out of physics. Most schools that I have dealt with don’t allow that because it is such a core course to the engineering curriculum that they want it taught right, and there is no quality control in high schools. Personally, I would think hard about whether or not to go ahead with going that far ahead unless you are truly comfortable with physics. Could you go back and pass all the tests with a B or better even a year after taking the class? I know most if not all engineers could do that for basic phsyics classes probably 5 years after they take it. On the other hand, if you got credit through something like a community college, then you are probably in better shape. In my experience, though, AP-ing out of Physics and anything beyond Calc I is not always the best choice for a lot of people.</p>
<p>Spacepope,</p>
<p>You’ll still have to take the Intro to X Engineering classes, Calculus 3, ODE and so forth. </p>
<p>Anyway I think a good compromise would be to major in EE but use some of your electives in CS. You could double major in EE/CS but your life would be hell.</p>
<p>Depends on your college, but at the one I plan to transfer too, there is a Computer and Information Science degree (basic software engineering/IT degree), a Computer Science and Engineering degree (the one that’s half CS, half CE), and Electrical and Computer Engineering, with your choice of EE or CE emphasis. Technical electives and “study tracks” in all of these degrees make a big difference. I was set for CSE, but I decided I wanted a full ECE degree with CE emphasis, since it studied more EE topics and things like semiconductors physics and fabrication, etc., and I can always study computer graphics on my own.</p>
<p>A CE isn’t really always a “jack-of-all-trades” major. I don’t know how it works at your school, but at a lot of schools CE is basically a specialization of EE, similar to Power Systems, Control Systems, Signal Processing, Optics, etc. You will most likely take all the classes the EEs will, except when it comes time to take Engineering Electives, you will take courses involving Digital Logic and Computers. You may want to find out how it works at your school before making a judgment about CE.</p>