Do Computer Hardware Engineers have Electrical Engineering degrees?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the educational backgrounds of Computer Hardware Engineers and their relationship to Electrical Engineering degrees. Participants explore whether Computer Hardware Engineers typically hold Electrical Engineering degrees or if they pursue different educational paths, as well as the distinctions between Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that Computer Hardware Engineers may still hold Electrical Engineering degrees, while others imply that there could be different educational paths involved.
  • One participant lists various areas of knowledge that a Computer Systems Engineer is expected to have, contrasting them with the knowledge expected of an Electrical Engineer.
  • Another participant attempts to clarify the distinction between Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering, noting that Computer Engineering encompasses digital systems while Electrical Engineering focuses on analog systems.
  • It is mentioned that at least one university offers separate degrees for Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering, highlighting the overlap in coursework.
  • Some participants note that Electrical Engineers take programming classes, but not to the same extent as Computer Engineers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the educational requirements for Computer Hardware Engineers and the distinctions between the fields of Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of degree requirements and the extent of overlap between the two disciplines.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about educational programs, as well as the definitions of Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering, which may vary by institution.

Dagenais
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So, I've heard that recently, the occupation of Electrical Engineers and Computer Hardware Engineers have been separated. Electrical Engineers that specialize in making computer hardware are called the latter.

I was just wondering if "Computer Hardware Engineers" still hold Electrical Engineering degrees, or something different? Do they study something else after?

Sorry for the spelling mistakes, my computer is really slowing down here and I didn't bother to check.
 
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I was just wondering if "Computer Hardware Engineers" still hold Electrical Engineering degrees, or something different? Do they study something else after?

Yes! They study.
 
A computer systems engineer is going to know:
* Programming (especially in C and asm)
* Programmable logic
* Gate delay's
* Operating systems
* Device driver code
* Physics of semiconductors
* Microcomputer design
* Logic design
* High speed digital design

Whereas, a ee would know stuff like:
* RF
* High power designs
* analog systems
 
Well let me try to clarify the separation between the two.

The two fields I believe you are talking about are Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.

Computer Engineering does not only deal with computer hardware, but anything that is digital. Whereas an Electrical Engineer deals with analog systems. Anything with a microprocessor is usually in the realm of Computer Engineering. For example computers, cell phones, digital cameras, etc.

At my university, they are two separate degrees with much overlap.

Electrical Engineers still take a bunch of programming classes, though not as much as Computer Engineers do.

As I said before, there is much overlap between the two disciplines.
 

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