Electrical Engineering vs Computer Engineering

[luca_linux]

Hi everybody,
since September I'll be attending university and now I have to choose the degree course I want to attend.
I'm a bit undecided between computer engineering and electrical engineering (which actually is electronics engineering for those living in Europe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_engineering)).
I kind of think that computer science (at least the most common and requested skills and knowledge) can be studied as self-taught (especially if you really like it and are inclined to it), while it would be surely harder to learn subjects such as physics or other electronics-related ones.
So an electrical engineering degree might be a bit more qualifier, mightn't it?
Moreover, you can see an electrical engineer working with computer languages and algorithms or doing a computer engineering job, while the contrary is quite uncommon, isn't it?
So an electrical engineer should have a broader perspective.

So, what do you suggest?

Thanks in advance.

P.S.: I'd just like to underline that I do not want to start any flames, just a constructive discussion.

[orange2k]

Why not get a double degree, and learn both?

[matthew]

I have had friends with various engineering degrees end up doing computer engineering and/or programming. With a good knowledge set it is easier to learn computer science by yourself than other fields, just as you suspect.

If you are enjoying both, then I suggest either electrical engineering, or do a double major with both. You already have a good start on the computer engineering side (I remember your ipw2200+wpa thread from 2005/6).

[hardyn]

At my uni... there are options within computer eng.

hardware option, is basicly EE, with the power electives removed and software in its place.
software option, is computer science with EE first two years.

[luca_linux]

First of all thanks for answers. I'm pleased to see I'm not the only one thinking this way about EE and CEng.
Yeah, a double degree would be great, but I haven't even started, so it's kinda too early to start thinking about a second major or something like that.



software option, is computer science with EE first two years.

That's the standard option offered by the university I'm going to attend, even though you can always customize a bit your curriculum.



@ Matthew: I'm really glad to see you liked my HowTo and still remember about it. I don't think it has much to do with computer engineering, though. ;)

Anyway, yeah, I've learned C/C++ and now I'm focusing on Java and would like to learn Haskell. Nothing professional anyway, but I think it's a start and good to know already.


Anyway, I was also thinking that you could work in the biomedical field too with an electrical engineering degree, which would be interesting.

[matthew]

@ Matthew: I'm really glad to see you liked my HowTo and still remember about it. I don't think it has much to do with computer engineering, though. ;)lol. Yeah, I just meant you obviously enjoy the computer side of things and are motivated to learn...as evidenced again by your learning C/C++ and Java. The other side might not be as quick/easy for you to get motivated to learn on your own no matter how interested you are...and the materials and resources aren't as easy to find.

Good luck either way! :)

[satx]

When I got my MS at UTEP I was offered a choice- either EE or CE on my degree. Courses were the same, more or less. My thesis was a multiplier design- hardware focused. I could have gone either way- guess for you it would depend on whether or not you want to focus on computers or other electronic devices. You would probably get more computer related topics in CE, though.

[luca_linux]

lol. Yeah, I just meant you obviously enjoy the computer side of things and are motivated to learn...as evidenced again by your learning C/C++ and Java. The other side might not be as quick/easy for you to get motivated to learn on your own no matter how interested you are...and the materials and resources aren't as easy to find.

Good luck either way! :)
Yeah, I got it. I was just saying. :p

Thanks! :)

[satx]

Check.

[macogw]

Well, computer engineering isn't computer science either though, so don't be tricked into thinking "programming can be learned on the side" means not to do CE. Comp Sci is more programming and high-level languages. Computer engineers are more likely to work on low-level languages and have to worry about architectures and stuff. The CS majors (like me) don't get to learn a lot of C and about hardware too much (which is annoying, as I'd like to learn how drivers are written), but CE majors do (and I can't switch to that because it's not offered as a BA, only BS, but dual-majors are only offered for BA at my school). At least, that's what it means at my school.

[slimdog360]

An electronic engineer and an electrical engineer are two different things. Electronics are for pussies while electrical engineers get to play with the big stuff. lol just kidding, they are two different things but are very close to one another. Think of electronics engineering (and computer engineering) a subset of electrical engineering, they are all very similar.

What you should do is ask your self what type of job you want to be doing in the future and then talk to a few people in the business. Ring up or email your Uni and ask to talk to the head of the electrical engineering department. Im sure he (sorry ladies but its always a he in engineering) would be more then happy to help you.

The main thing is is that you have to set out some clear questions which will help you make up your mind. Im actually a 3rd year (of a four year degree) electrical engineer and I am already working in the business so if you have any questions feel free to ask.

[macogw]

(sorry ladies but its always a he in engineering)
The head of my school's Computer Science Department (which is a part of the engineering school) is a woman. She got the Ada Lovelace Award 2 years ago.

[slimdog360]

The head of my school's Computer Science Department (which is a part of the engineering school) is a woman. She got the Ada Lovelace Award 2 years ago.

like I said, engineering

[luca_linux]

An electronic engineer and an electrical engineer are two different things. Electronics are for pussies while electrical engineers get to play with the big stuff. lol just kidding, they are two different things but are very close to one another. Think of electronics engineering (and computer engineering) a subset of electrical engineering, they are all very similar.

What you should do is ask your self what type of job you want to be doing in the future and then talk to a few people in the business. Ring up or email your Uni and ask to talk to the head of the electrical engineering department. Im sure he (sorry ladies but its always a he in engineering) would be more then happy to help you.

The main thing is is that you have to set out some clear questions which will help you make up your mind. Im actually a 3rd year (of a four year degree) electrical engineer and I am already working in the business so if you have any questions feel free to ask.
Read here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronics_engineering
That's why I used the "Electrical" term which seems to be more "international". In fact for example if you go on Intel's jobs web site (as well as other companies) they usually require electrical engineering degree, meaning electronics though.
Anyway I'd prefer electronics classes to the electrical ones...

Anyway, thanks for your help. I'll think of a couple of questions to ask you. :)

[dnzz]

Im studying electrical and electronics engineering (In the end you choose one of them as a profession.) Most of people thinks that computer engineering is learning "programming languages" but its not. You will also learn microprocessors, digital circuits, electrical circuits. In electronics you will learn mostly digital circuits, microprocessors, some electrical circuits, and some programming. In electrical engineering you will learn mostly electrical circuits, high voltage systems, power systems, some digital circuits etc.

As a result:
Computer Engineering: Mostly Software, Some Hardware.
Electronic Engineering: Mostly Hardware, Some Software.
Electrical Engineering: Electrical Devices and min knowledge of Software

But you can learn most of the programming languages from courses, pdf's but you can't learn Hardware by yourself and also studying comp. eng. is funnier than others.

Choice is yours.

[mips]

Both should allow you registration with a professional body as a Prof. Eng.

If I could choose I would do Computer Engineering. I did stuff in electronic eng like power electronics which was about stuff like motors, generators and some stuff I did not like. I would have prefered to stick more to the digital electronics side of things. There should be some leeway in your curriculum for odd changes here and there anyway.

Weird thing is I used very little of what i studied when i started working although my background gave me a big advange.

[luca_linux]

Any other opinion/suggestion? :)

[gusjones]

A while ago as an undergraduate I studied Electronic and Electrical engineering, after the third year I could have changed that to Electronic an Information engineering, anyway I think if you start on the electronics stream you should be able to move towards the computer science stuff later. Remember though your bias will tend to be writing computer programs as an Engineer and not as a computer scientist. I enjoy writing control systems software, stuff that moves robots around, although since the IT chap left our R&D office, I've been doing more IT stuff.

So, in my view, I would start out with the Electronic / electrical, if you are keen to have a strong electronics engineering edge to your programming & want to know what makes things work at a low level.

Another way of looking at it is: Do you see computer programming as an end in itself? (OR) do you see it as a tool to achieve some other job?

[luca_linux]

Remember though your bias will tend to be writing computer programs as an Engineer and not as a computer scientist.So, what's the difference?


Another way of looking at it is: Do you see computer programming as an end in itself? (OR) do you see it as a tool to achieve some other job?
I see it as a tool to achieve some other job.
So what does that say about me? :p

[gusjones]

From your replies, I would see you more as doing the Electronic/Electrical option.

A computer scientist tends to be more of a high level programmer and in my experience they're more into the thrill of writing the code itself.

For me as an Engineer (who still has roots in Electronics), I prefer to see software as a tool to get jobs done, and I enjoy writing lower level code, (i.e. not front end stuff), to move physical things like motors around-- and as such I need to know about the physics of motors, etc. so my background is essential. It may be that for you some of the type of programming you see yourself doing in the future requires an essential knowledge of the 'hard' end of electronics.

Still, you'll only use 10% of what you learn ;-)
----------

I know that my view is a rather sweeping generalisation and many people will have a different slant on things.

Anyway my2pworth.

[jn25b]

An EE degree lets you read hardware specs and logic interfaces, and write hardware drivers.

[yatt]

Hi everybody,
since September I'll be attending university and now I have to choose the degree course I want to attend.
I'm a bit undecided between computer engineering and electrical engineering (which actually is electronics engineering for those living in Europe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_engineering)).
I kind of think that computer science (at least the most common and requested skills and knowledge) can be studied as self-taught (especially if you really like it and are inclined to it), while it would be surely harder to learn subjects such as physics or other electronics-related ones.
So an electrical engineering degree might be a bit more qualifier, mightn't it?
Moreover, you can see an electrical engineer working with computer languages and algorithms or doing a computer engineering job, while the contrary is quite uncommon, isn't it?
So an electrical engineer should have a broader perspective.

So, what do you suggest?

Thanks in advance.

P.S.: I'd just like to underline that I do not want to start any flames, just a constructive discussion.
The discipline you choose typically effects only your first job or two. Most of what you learn (attention to detail, logical thinking, etc) is interdisciplinary and a you will have to learn allot about how what your company designs actually works.

It is also very easy to self teach any subject if you are inclined to, not just CS. Seeing as you think it easier to self teach Computer stuff I would think you would have a better time learning to be a Comp Eng. I think the most important thing to ask yourself is "What do I want my first job to be?" Pick the discipline that relates best to that career. If you work hard and are good at what you do, it won't matter which you went to school for, only that have a P. Eng. at the end of your name.

PS - Engineers of all types are in high demand worldwide and you shouldn't worry about which will have the most jobs available at graduation.

[caro]

I began my undergraduate degree in computer engineering, and later switched to electrical engineering. Electrical is a bit broader and I seemed to enjoy it more. Since I graduated over 15 years ago, I've seen that both degrees will ultimately teach you to think critically, which is vitally important as your career progresses.

Pick whichever one you enjoy more. Your first job will probably be closely related to your degree, but later ones will depend upon where you choose to take your career.

[gnp421]

I am almost done with my Bachelors of Science in Electronics Engineering with a concentration in Computer and Digital Engineering. Electronics engineering is the study of mostly low-voltage, wattage devices for the most part.

I am currently applying for my Masters in Computer Science and Engineering.

I would say go with Computer Engineering focus's on computer design and implementation. I've learned about hardware interfaces, interconnects, VHDL, FPGA's, programming USB devices etc. I would say if you like to program but want to know more about how the hardware works, mainly how it interprets the data then choose Computer Engineering, if you want a broader scope then choose Electronics Engineering.

[xl_cheese]

With my EE degree we had various options on where we wanted to specialize in during the 2nd two years. I did analog VLSI because at the time ,~6 years ago, there were only a hand full of schools offering it. Plus the prof was really good.

Basically depend on what you want to do. But if you're like me you'll have no idea what a EE actually does in real life. So you don't really know what you want to focus on in school.

From my experience in the industry:

Chip architecture is a good direction. You do mostly logic design and high level brainstorming. (lots of patents are paid out to these guys.) Verilog, and VHDL are used a lot.

Circuit design - VLSI - schematic entry for silicon chips (Intel, amd, RF devices). Analog or digital. You'll Live in CA, Austin,tx, or a few various other places. Scripting languages are good. PERL etc... Analog guys w/10+ years are paid lots. Analog is tough to get into- digital is cheaper to make so companies shy away from analog designs.

Circuit design - PCB board level. mother boards, graphic cards are examples. tons of companies do this kind of work. More options on where you'd like to live. You'll get to work in the lab testing, and debugging stuff.

Software - pretty self explanatory. Probaly want to stick with computer science, but an EE degree would be good enough. Once you learn a couple languages you can ramp up on new ones pretty quick.

Power electronics. You'll get to work out doors more and on sites. I wish I would have done this. In school this was the least 'glamorous' direction.

Your first job out of college will most likely define what you do for the rest of your career.

[regomodo]

i'm just starting my 4th year of my electronic engineering degree.

tbf, i haven't learnt much about electronics in the conventional sense. i've done a few bs modules (management, h&s, business, finance) but most of the modules require some form of programming for simulation/design.

I feel that when i finish this degree i won't actually have a solid understanding of any of it or have skills that i am proficient in to be employable

We haven't been taught pcb design/testing, verilog or vhdl, c/c++/matlab. Most of those i've had to teach myself, and vhdl without a book as the uni doesn't have one.

I'd like to get into embedded systems but i doubt that'll happen

[gnp421]

i'm just starting my 4th year of my electronic engineering degree.

tbf, i haven't learnt much about electronics in the conventional sense. i've done a few bs modules (management, h&s, business, finance) but most of the modules require some form of programming for simulation/design.

I feel that when i finish this degree i won't actually have a solid understanding of any of it or have skills that i am proficient in to be employable

We haven't been taught pcb design/testing, verilog or vhdl, c/c++/matlab. Most of those i've had to teach myself, and vhdl without a book as the uni doesn't have one.

I'd like to get into embedded systems but i doubt that'll happen

What college did you go to, because sounds like they have no idea how to even make an EE curriculum?

[daschmidty]

I am surprised about the C/C++/matlab stuff. I had to learn that in my first year and I am in Mechanical engineering...

[regomodo]

i'm in a uni in England. We did c++, very briefly and have never touched it again in about 1.5yrs.

The course doesn't seem to flow with each module or to anywhere.

Meh, i shouldn't expect it to get better with their cutbacks and frivolous spending on unnecessary items.

We haven't even been taught how to use Spice, we used Multisim, and then it was just "here is some software for circuit simulation. Good luck"

Out of all of the things I've listed the only thing they "taught" us was c++. We were expected to know matlab, vhdl, without any teaching. For example, for vhdl, we were given a large project on vhdl (serial/parallel multiplier logic circuit i think). We had no prior lessons on vhdl and 3 examples of vhdl (buffer (useless), a counter (which i later learned to be bloated), and something else). Needless to say i couldn't do it (we have only 1 book on vhdl which was so crap i bought my own in the end, unfortunately not for this project) so i just did it in schematic design and basically told the "lecturer" to stuff it.

This same lecturer, whilst having a meeting about a different project, asked if my motorbike was front or rear wheel drive.

[B-Con]

I used to be a Computer Engineering major. Two years in, and before I'd taken many classes specific to it, I realized that it was (no offense to the EE and CE majors here ;) ) boring. So right now I'm a dual math and computer science, much more interesting stuff in my opinion. :)

Not that this is necessarily on topic... just browsing the forum while waiting for stuff to compile.

[slimdog360]

I used to be a Computer Engineering major. Two years in, and before I'd taken many classes specific to it, I realized that it was (no offense to the EE and CE majors here ;) ) boring. So right now I'm a dual math and computer science, much more interesting stuff in my opinion. :)

Not that this is necessarily on topic... just browsing the forum while waiting for stuff to compile.

I was going to tack on maths to my degree but it would take 5 rather then 4 years to complete. i just want to get out there

[[h2o]]

An EE degree lets you read hardware specs and logic interfaces, and write hardware drivers.
Actually, I think that is more likely to be the job of a computer engineer.

[B-Con]

I was going to tack on maths to my degree but it would take 5 rather then 4 years to complete. i just want to get out there
I hear you.

I also wound up doing 2.5 years of undergrad work (started mid-way through the year), which could've been done in 2 years if I'd known I was going to switch.

Go ahead, ask me if I'm bitter about not fully ditching my last year of high school, starting at the very beginning of the year, doing it all in 2 years, and being another year ahead in school right now. Ah well.

[shafin]

i'm just starting my 4th year of my electronic engineering degree.

tbf, i haven't learnt much about electronics in the conventional sense. i've done a few bs modules (management, h&s, business, finance) but most of the modules require some form of programming for simulation/design.

I feel that when i finish this degree i won't actually have a solid understanding of any of it or have skills that i am proficient in to be employable

We haven't been taught pcb design/testing, verilog or vhdl, c/c++/matlab. Most of those i've had to teach myself, and vhdl without a book as the uni doesn't have one.

I'd like to get into embedded systems but i doubt that'll happen
I am on 3rd year EEE (Electrical and Electronic Engineering),we have a course plan which gives the basics of Communication,Electronic,Power as well as Computer Engineering.From now on,courses are going to be more specialized and I have chosen Computer as Major subject of specialization and communication as minor.in the last two years,we had core Math,Physics,chemistry courses as well as basic EEE courses,and some humanities stuff.But now the nondepartmental courses are almost gone,only one form IPE remains.
So far,I have to say,I am satisfied with what I've been offered and learned.Verilog,SPICE,MATLAB has been taught.C/C++ was also offered,but unfortunately it didnt get on too well with me.:)

Maybe your Uni can take some leafs off our course plan (http://www.buet.ac.bd/eee/undergrad/after) .

[regomodo]

I am on 3rd year EEE (Electrical and Electronic Engineering),we have a course plan which gives the basics of Communication,Electronic,Power as well as Computer Engineering.From now on,courses are going to be more specialized and I have chosen Computer as Major subject of specialization and communication as minor.in the last two years,we had core Math,Physics,chemistry courses as well as basic EEE courses,and some humanities stuff.But now the nondepartmental courses are almost gone,only one form IPE remains.
So far,I have to say,I am satisfied with what I've been offered and learned.Verilog,SPICE,MATLAB has been taught.C/C++ was also offered,but unfortunately it didnt get on too well with me.:)

Maybe your Uni can take some leafs off our course plan (http://www.buet.ac.bd/eee/undergrad/after) .

Well, unfortunately our Uni has been cutting back on expenditure on useful things like decent Professors lecturing (we did but have some (in my 1st year) but then they were given the choice of redundancy or Lecturers pay. Very few stayed.

They seem to have spent a lot of money turning our Engineering school into a conference center. A couple of my PHD friends managed to get a hold of the brochure the school was ordering from. A £800 table for one seems to be a bit over the top.

Our electronics lab was taken over and moved into our other lab that won't fit. Instead of an updated components inventory/development boards (we had to scrounge 2 off a lecturer for our independent projects) we got TFT screens for PCs that aren't networked or powerful enough for the applications we need. The only digital oscilloscope we have is broken. The logic analyser (6502) works, just, but were never taught how to use it formally. No surface mount soldering or reworking equipment. No etching or PCB fabricating of any type.

AFAIK we used to have a Linux course for the Computer Science guys but not anymore. Also the Linux machines are gone apart from a hugish Unix cluster to run Finite Element software (Abaqus) which is the only one decent enough (timewise) for reasonable sized models. My PHD friend uses it a lot for modeling hip replacements. Takes hours apparently.

I'm not too concerned about verilog, i know a little of VHDL that i taught myself with only webpages as our only book is poorly written and rarely there. I've bought my own and is pretty good. Students Guide to VHDL IIRC. Spice would have been nice to know as i hear it's a widely used program in industry.

I see you have a Engineering Drawing module. I get that in my 4th year. From what i've heard we are shown a picture of a car (and it's components) and told to draw it in Autocad. That doesn't sound fun considering i've only used it to draw a spindle for a 1st year project.

As far as i can tell the Engineering school is phasing out EE as most people take Mechanical or Civil. Their facilities are good, well the Mechies have it good.

Bit of a rant but i'm full of caffeine