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Should I major in Computer Science or Computer Engineering?

Should I major in computer science or computer engineering?

  • I am currently in junior status according to my engineering progress at my college. I originally started as a computer science major, but I switched my major to mechanical engineering because I did not want to program all day. I did enjoy programming, but I felt I wanted to do other things than code. I was also curious about biomedical engineering at the time, but since that major was not offered at my college I was advised that mechanical would be the best bet. I wanted to do more hands on projects, and that was also a factor to why I switched majors. As a mechanical engineering major, I failed statics and I was horrible at physics getting C's. I had to retake the statics course, where I got a B.  I was getting depressed of this and other personal reasons but I figured since I was terrible at my core classes I should switch back to computer science.I decided to get a minor in computer science because I felt I did not want to waste the effort I already put in to pursue the ME degree. Right now I am taking a matlab course, which I highly enjoy, for an ME class. I realized I do enjoy programming more than my other ME courses. I feel that I am not that innovative to design anything mechanical and I feel like I should switch back to computer science. I find computer science easier than mechanical. I  haven't taken the sensors course yet that is a prerequisite of the  matlab course, and I do not know if I may enjoy that but I am scared to  take a risk and stay in something I am not very good at. I do not hate  mechanical engineering but I am worried that I won't get to work in  robotics/ biomedical instrumentation with my decision. Currently I am interested in robotics and AI, but it is too late for me to switch to a EEE major or computer engineering. It would add 2.5 years to my graduation date and I do not have the time or money. I also am not planning on doing a double major. My question is:  (TLDR) Should I switch back to computer science because I enjoy it more? I will graduate in 2 years from now. I fear that my time as a mechanical engineering would be wasted though. Or... should I stay as a mechanical engineering major and get a minor in computer science because if I did go that route I would have 1.5 years to graduate. Also I am not a great ME, getting average grades in my classes. I plan to work in robotics or in biomedical instrumentation.

  • Answer:

    Do you want to program computers, or do you want to design them?

Christopher Burke at Quora Visit the source

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Computer Science :-this is the most theoretical of the bunch. It covers programming and databases and the like, but a lot more of the focus is the underlying math and logic behind all that programming. So there are classes on discreet math, graph theory, language paradigms (how programming languages differ/the different classes of languages), etc. These are the people working with neural nets, AI, pattern recognition, and all those other fun research branches that are more math than programming.Software Engineering :-Computer Science with less theory. The focus is much more on real world programming and learning how to use all the tools (the different languages, algorithms, data structures, and other tools) at your disposal to create good programs. You get a lot more on good coding practices and various design and coding methodologies, and the focus is much more on learning to make a good product.Systems Engineering :-software engineering on the hardware/software link layer. While software engineering focuses on products people will use, systems engineering focuses on products hardware will use, so a lot of operating systems stuff, device driver stuff, and embedded system code.computer engineering :-computer science with an architecture bent (meaning operating systems, assembly, and the CPU/other hardware on the motherboard) and EE with a digital circuits bent. You get all the fundamental courses of each major (algorithms, data structures, circuits, communications, etc.) but instead of getting a broader picture or specializing (which is what upper level courses are supposed to be for), you're already locked into your specialty.Final decision is your in respect to your eligibility,Interest and availability.Reference https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/computer-science-software-engineering-systems-engineering-computer-engineering.367705/

Ram Achal

I suggest you go through the following link: http://www.eng.buffalo.edu/undergrad/academics/degrees/cs-vs-cenAs mentioned in the article, Computer science (CS) is the systematic study of algorithmic methods for representing and transforming information, including their theory, design, implementation, application, and efficiency. Computer engineering (CEN) is the design and prototyping of computing devices and systems. I you have an urge to build things, to measure how things work in the laboratory, are attracted to physics and chemistry as well as mathematics, you should seriously consider CEN. If you have an interest in the true nature of symbols, information and their manipulations, the forms and limits of algorithms and data structures, consider CS. Hope this helps! :)

Dhananjay Pandit

Computer Engineering gives you more options in my opinion . I'm a computer engineering and currently work for the patent office as a Patent Examiner +++. You can choose to specialize in computer programing, math , electrical engineering fields and etc.. More doors are open to you in my opinion as a computer engineering

Mon Cheri Davenport

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