Electronics VS. Electrical Engineering?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the distinctions and overlaps between Electronics Engineering and Electrical Engineering, exploring definitions, course content, and regional variations in terminology. It includes perspectives on how these fields are categorized in different educational systems and the implications for professional practice.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that Electronics is a subset of Electrical Engineering, with many universities not distinguishing between the two.
  • Others argue that in various regions, particularly in Europe and parts of Asia, the term Electronics is still commonly used to refer to what is now called Computer Engineering.
  • A participant challenges the classification of low voltage electronics as solely Computer Engineering, suggesting that there are many areas of electronics not covered by computer engineering.
  • Course content is discussed, with participants listing specific courses and debating their relevance to Electronics, Electrical, or Computer Engineering programs.
  • Some participants note that while there is overlap in coursework, certain subjects like Electromagnetics are typically associated with Electrical Engineering.
  • One participant highlights that in Romania, Electronics and Computer Engineering are considered distinct fields, contrasting with other regions.
  • There is a mention of how different universities may integrate courses like Signals and Systems into other curricula, leading to variations in course requirements.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definitions and scopes of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, with no consensus reached on the distinctions or the implications of these differences in educational contexts.

Contextual Notes

Limitations in definitions and terminology are noted, as well as the potential for regional differences in educational programs and professional practice. The discussion reflects varying interpretations of course content and its relevance to different engineering disciplines.

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What's the difference between Electronics Engineering and Electrical Engineering?
 
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Electronics is a field of electrical engineering. Most universities do not make such a distinction, and designate 'electronics' as a subset or concentration within the electrical engineering degree program..

for instance, I am an electrical engineering major, where my concentration is electronics.
 
Still in many parts of the world it is used Electronics (low voltage) old name (older) and the new name for Electronics is called Computer Engineering.

Electrical Engineering=High Voltage=High Power

Computer Engineering=Electronics= Low Voltage

leright, you are right, particularly for Canada and USA, but many Euoropean countries and many parts of India and China still prefer name Electronics for Computer Engineering.

Example; someone graduated in Russia, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Romania, India China, Hungary, former East Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, etc. from Electronics Engineering Program are working as a Professional Engineerrs and or University Professors in Computer Engineering Depts.
 
budala said:
Still in many parts of the world it is used Electronics (low voltage) old name (older) and the new name for Electronics is called Computer Engineering.

Electrical Engineering=High Voltage=High Power

Computer Engineering=Electronics= Low Voltage

leright, you are right, particularly for Canada and USA, but many Euoropean countries and many parts of India and China still prefer name Electronics for Computer Engineering.

Example; someone graduated in Russia, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Romania, India China, Hungary, former East Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, etc. from Electronics Engineering Program are working as a Professional Engineerrs and or University Professors in Computer Engineering Depts.

Well, if other countries are referring to 'electronics' as 'computer engineering' then they are wrong.

There are many many areas of electronics that are not part of computer engineering.

In the US, electrical engineering encompasses computer engineering and digital electronics, analog electronics, communications, power, etc. However, often separate computer engineering and electrical engineering degrees are usually offered, but no degree program called 'electronics' is offered. However, an 'electronics' degree or diploma is often offered at the technician's level.
 
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budala said:
Electrical Engineering=High Voltage=High Power
Computer Engineering=Electronics= Low Voltage

So the low voltage, low power electronics in a TV station studio is all Computer Engineering? And the 250kW transmitter connected to the studio is is Electrical Engineering?

That makes no sense.
 
Computer Engineering=Electronics= Low Voltage

This is a grossly inaccurate statement as to what computer engineering is about!
 
guys, according to you I am wrong, Please could you tell me are the following courses from Computer Engineering or Electronics, or Electrical Engineering Programm?

1. Microprocessor Systems
2. Electronic Circuits
3. Signals and Systems
4. Probability and Stochastic Process
5. Electromagnetics
6. Communications Systems

Thank you very much.

***** Those are one semester courses
 
There could be plenty of overlap.. though I don't know too many computer engineers who would take courses in electromagnetics. They could be all taken by CpE or EE.

To the original poster, read the program requirements at whatever university makes the distinction and that should provide the answer :)
 
budala said:
guys, according to you I am wrong, Please could you tell me are the following courses from Computer Engineering or Electronics, or Electrical Engineering Programm?

1. Microprocessor Systems
2. Electronic Circuits
3. Signals and Systems
4. Probability and Stochastic Process
5. Electromagnetics
6. Communications Systems

Thank you very much.

***** Those are one semester courses
Those seem like introductory courses that a both a CE and EE would take. Although I'm not sure what "signals and systems" is.
 
  • #10
ranger said:
Those seem like introductory courses that a both a CE and EE would take. Although I'm not sure what "signals and systems" is.

usually CEs take signals and systems, but they usually don't take electromagnetics. EEs would definitely take all of them.
 
  • #11
leright said:
usually CEs take signals and systems, but they usually don't take electromagnetics. EEs would definitely take all of them.

I don't see signals and systems in my course requiremnets. Mayb its known by another name?
 
  • #12
ranger said:
I don't see signals and systems in my course requiremnets. Mayb its known by another name?

Maybe your school integrated the signals and systems subject matter into the circuits curriculum. Many schools require 7 credits of circuits and network theory coursework, and just mix signals and systems in with it.

At one point did you learn LTI system theory, Fourier analysis, etc in your circuits courses (I would hope so)? A lot of schools teach this stuff in a stand alone course called signals and systems.
 
  • #13
1. Microprocessor Systems - computer engineering
2. Electronic Circuits - electrical engineering (electronics)
3. Signals and Systems - mostly electrical engineering
4. Probability and Stochastic Process - mathematics that engineers take
5. Electromagnetics - electrical engineering
6. Communications Systems - both electrical and computer engineering
 
  • #14
Electrical Engineer: will study machines, generators, transmission lines, power plants, power electronics, introduction to microprocessors and will have the strongest system control course.

Electronics Engineer: will study electronic circuit design(both digital and analog), VLSI design , more advanced course on solid state circuits, introduction to microprocessors, modern control, Antenna theory, Microwave Engineering, optoelectronic and will have strongest communication systems course.

Computer Engineer: will study software engineering, digital circuit design, control theory course, operating system programming, database design, data communication and will have the most advanced course on microprocessors and programming.

Microprocessor Systems - Computer Engineer
Electronic Circuits - Electronics Engineer
Signals and Systems - All three
Probability and Stochastic Process - All three
Electromagnetic - Both Electrical and Electronics
Communications Systems - Electronics
 
  • #15
At my school CE's take a class called Signals systems and transforms like leright said
 
  • #16
Since Romania was mentioned here, I have to make a correction: nope, Computer Engineering and Electronics are two different things here.
You could compare:
http://www.utcluj.ro/english/automation_and_computer_science/educatie.php
http://www.utcluj.ro/english/electronics_and_telecommunications/educatie.php
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #17
leright said:
Maybe your school integrated the signals and systems subject matter into the circuits curriculum. Many schools require 7 credits of circuits and network theory coursework, and just mix signals and systems in with it.

At one point did you learn LTI system theory, Fourier analysis, etc in your circuits courses (I would hope so)? A lot of schools teach this stuff in a stand alone course called signals and systems.

Yes, indeed. This is how my school does it. So I'm all good :)
 
  • #18
l46kok said:
What's the difference between Electronics Engineering and Electrical Engineering?

sometimes, it is just semantic. there are Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electrical & Electronics Engineering departments at different universities all being roughly the same (except i wouldn't expect "Electronics Engineering" or "Computer Engineering" to have courses in Power Engineering or Electromechanical Energy Conversion or similar). Computer Engineering (i would not call that "CE", you don't want to be confused with the Civil Engineers) might have less of the formal mathematical Signals and Systems stuff that EEs have and have more of the Computer Science stuff (algorithms, languages, etc.).

dunno.
 
  • #19
Are 3rd year courses introductory courses to you?
 
  • #20
budala said:
Are 3rd year courses introductory courses to you?

Those arent 3rd year courses for me (excluding the signals and systems part). Most of those are two part courses in my case, where the first part can be said to be an intro.
 
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