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by destinyreturn: what’s the difference between computer science and computer engineering?

whats the difference between computer science and computer engineering? Im planning of transferring to this one university (cal poly)… computer engineering requires me to take General Chemistry while computer science requires me to take elements of biology.. i want to apply for an undergraduate course so that i can go into software development later… or should i say i want to be a software engineer.. which course should i opt for? which of those 2 is software engineer?

Best answer:

Answer by E.L. Brister

Computer Science

The most familiar name, Computer Science is the pillar degree of the IT world. Available with a plethora of options and minors, there’s an aura of customizability around this major, but such difficult choices are usually not required until the 2nd year of study.

Computer Science is recognized as an independent discipline with an inherently mathematical nature. Its activity ranges from theoretical areas such as the theory of automata, system organization and logic design, formal languages and computability theory to applied areas such as scientific computing, programming languages, bioinformatics, software management, and computer systems.

This is where one gets to design algorithms, mathematically figure out their efficiencies, and actually gets to write out code to implement the said algorithms in practice. For those who enjoy figuring out just how the code works, and generally code monkey around – this should be the program of choice.

Software Engineering

Probably the closest program to Computer Science, this major will also fetch an Iron Ring for those graduating in Canada. If Computer Science is about writing code, then Software Engineering is thinking about writing the said code.

The technical requirements of these software engineers include a strong foundation in mathematics, natural sciences, and computer science; a broad education in software engineering and design; an understanding of computers and networks; a better appreciation for all aspects of the software engineering life cycle; and the use of methodologies and tools.

The curriculum requirements are not all technical. Industry is also asking for graduates who have facility across several disciplines. Software engineering graduates need to have substantial communications, business, and reasoning skills. Graduates should be able to work in groups; make presentations to technical and non-technical audiences; write coherent well-reasoned reports; and assess the social, technical, legal, and commercial implications of the technology they help to create.

Not quite the same level of involvement with the code. Software Engineering is more abstract, more “larger picture” focused. Lack of Pointer kung-foo is made up with non-technical skills such as communication and presentations. Management material education.

Computer Engineering

In many ways similar to Software Engineering, the Computer Engineering discipline deals with design of specialized type of software, and incorporates more hardware material into studies.

Computer Engineers apply algorithmic and digital design principles to design, build, and test computer software or hardware components used for information processing, communication, and storage are typically embedded in larger engineered systems and in distributed, networked environments. Application areas include communication, automation and robotics, power and energy, health care, business, security, entertainment, and many others.

For those lucky enough to have taken Computer Engineering in high school, this is it. Here you get to design your circuit board, and program it too! Lower level coding, but for actually physical gadgets. Pretty cool.

Answer by Asif

Computer Engineering is mainly focused on the practical side of computers, basically, hardware, building computer systems, you mainly learn about components such as microprocessors and such with a bit of programming as well.

Computer Science is really just the reverse, you focus more on general programming, such as java/C++, while Computer Engineering is more of an applied science type, computer science is more of an applied math type.

Answer by Chaudhary

both the same

Answer by Matt

My school offers computer science, computer engineering, AND software engineering.

I’m not an expert on the differences between comp. sci. and software. eng., however I know that computer engineering focuses more on the hardware side.

However, my school also offers a dual degree program in computer engineering and computer science. Something like that is definitely worth looking into. Otherwise if you just want to develop software (and there is no software engineering option) then computer science is your best bet.

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