Computer Engineering vs Computer Science

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision between pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering (CE) or Computer Science (CS). Participants explore the curriculum differences, potential job prospects, and personal interests in relation to these fields. The conversation includes considerations of mathematics, programming skills, and the quality of education in their respective programs.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that CS may offer more programming-focused education, while others argue that CE provides a stronger foundation in engineering principles and practical applications.
  • A participant mentions that the CS program is heavily math-oriented, which might not align with everyone's interests or career goals.
  • Concerns are raised about the quality of instruction in programming courses within the CS program, with some suggesting that CE professors may be more effective in teaching programming.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of personal interest and skills over potential earnings when choosing between the two fields.
  • Another participant suggests that for those primarily interested in high-paying jobs, a focus on programming skills is crucial, regardless of the degree path.
  • A later reply indicates that the CE curriculum has undergone changes, suggesting that the current courses may differ from those previously listed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the merits of CE versus CS, with no clear consensus reached. Some emphasize the importance of personal interest in making the decision, while others focus on the practical implications of job prospects and programming skills.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight variations in course offerings and teaching quality between the two programs, indicating that these factors may influence their decision-making process. There is also mention of regional differences in educational quality, particularly in the Balkans.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering a degree in Computer Engineering or Computer Science, particularly those weighing the implications of their choice on future career opportunities and personal interests.

student.x
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Hello !

i am a student from balkan(south-east europe) i have finished high school and now a i can't decide what to study Computer Engineering or Computer Science.
I am good in Mathematics,Physics and Informatics.
I need a well paying job, but don't know if i can earn more money with CE or CS.
i asked also some students, the students from CS sad that with CS you will learn more about programming but the students from CE sad that you will be better in programming if i go to CE because the professors are better than in CS.

CS at the university i will study is in the department of Mathematics so it has a lot of math and the professors are the same as in faculty of mathematics and they require to the students to know math (nearly,quasi)like in faculty of mathematics. And another problem is that there aren't enough good professors for programing and IT for example the professor of Analysis (PhD in mathematics) teaches also database !

CE is in the electrical and computer engineering has big number (at least compeered with CS) of courses and from different types so i think if we learn all that, we can't be so good (for example) in programming. And the first, second and the third semester of 6 semesters(3 years of bachelor studies)(for the third i am not 100% sure) are the same like in other faculties of this departments like Automatic,Telecommunication, Electronic, Industrial Electronic, electrical systems.

I need your Help
 
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i have translated the courses using google translator, there are some letters in Capital and maybe they aren't translated very well . SORRY ! :shy:o:)
The courses in CE are:
Mathematics 1
Physics 1
C Programming
Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering 1
TECHNICAL Documentation
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY
MANAGEMENT
Mathematics 2
Physics 2
Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering 2
Algorithms and structure of data
Internet
Mathematics 3
ELECTRONIC 1
Basis of ELECTRICAL measurement
Electro MATERIALS
TECHNICAL English
FINANCIAL management
Energy Conversion

ELECTRONIC DIGITAL
Signals and Systems
Discrete Mathematics
PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS
ARCHITECTURE AND ORGANIZATION The computer
DIGITAL PROCESSING signals
microprocessors and microcomputer
Operating Systems
Database
Fundamentals of Telecommunications 2nd
ELECTRONIC measuring equipment
archiving of data
INTERNET programming
Programing orientated in objects
INTRODUCTION TO artificial intelligence
SYSTEMS OS. Distributed
Digital television
Fundamentals of Multimedia
archiving of data
DIGITAL PROCESSING signals
SECURITY OF DATA
Management PROJECT INFORMATION 1
Programing Languge
English Language
Communication skills

DIGITAL Districts
Electrical Basics
ELECTRONIC
Mathematics 3 (for CE)
Computer Architecture
Telecommunications
Management of PROJECTS
Theory of INFORMATION
Programming in Internet
MACROECONOMICS
Microeconomics
Distributed programming
Computer Networking
Software Engineer
Microprocessors and micro-controllers
Fundamentals of artificial intelligence
COMMUNICATION people-computer
DESIGN AND STRUCTURE of Algorithm
Elective course 4
Computer graphics
Fused systems
-English language Communication skills
Non-technical COURSES
Distributed systems
Distributed Operating Systems
Practice Computer Networking
WEB SERVICES
(practical work)
Educational Leadership Issues
INTRODUCTION TO Bio-Electromagnetism

The Courses in CS are :
Year I
Mathematical Analysis
Mathematical Analysis II
Discrete Mathematics
Linear algebra with analytic geometry
Programming and algorithms
Computer Networking and WWW
Introduction to computer science
Data Structures

Year II
Mathematical Analysis III
Numerical Analysis I
Numerical Analysis II
Probability theory
Computer architecture and operating systems
Databases
OOP(object oriendted programing) and GUI programming

Year III
Statistics
Mathematical Programming
Computer Networking and Programming at WWW (first level of CISCO )
Analysis of algorithms
distributed Programming
Image processing
Software Engineering
Practical Work

Elective course
Year I
Working with computer basics
Applied mathematics programs
English I
English II
Order the text in TeX
Year II
Formal language theory
Building compiler
Mathematical Analysis IV
Safety data in computer
Year III
Accounting
Business and Internet
Data Analysis
Problem Solving in Mathematics
 
This Question by Student.X is very genuine and I am also looking for this info.
 
Hi

I am a Computer Engineer myself. And my advise would be don't choose the field thinking about how much you can earn. You can always make it big if you choose the field in which you have lot of interest and skills. Take a look at the subjects, see which subjects appeal to you more and then decide.

Shilpa
http://www.exitsplashscript.com"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
It really depends on you .

Like the name suggests in CE you will be more of an engineer ,you will learn to think and work in a particular way.

CE is actually a combination of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering and you will study computers from the lowest to the highest level.

One thing I don't like in CS is that in many universities (especially in balkan ,where i also live) education can be very computer oriented.
 
If you just want a high paying job then go with the path that exposes you to as much programming as possible. You already know some informatics and you probably also know that there is a huge difference between being good at programming and majoring in CS. Knowing how to program very well is a marketable skill. It's unlikely that CS majors can't program at a high level, but the more theoretical issues are probably irrelevant to the set of skills that make exceptional programmers marketable.
 
The CE courses above are with the old school program. Now it has changed. The courses now are the following:
1 year:
Mathematics 1&2
Physics 1&2
Electrical Materials
Programming in C + +
Algorithms and structure of data
DIGITAL Districts
Electrical Basics
2-Year :
Signals and systems
Electronics
Database
Object-oriented Programming
Internet
Mathematics 3 for CE
Computer Networking
DATA SECURITY
Project Management
COMMUNICATION people -computer
ARCHITECTURE AND ORGANISATION Computers
3rd Year:
Microprocesors and Microcontrollers
Practice Computer Networking
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS of algorithms
Software Engineer
Operating Systems
Programming IN INTERNET
Macroeconomics
 

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