How does computer engineering compare and contrast to computer science? (1 Viewer)

[gman03]

Ok nice, do you think that comp eng will be better for that kind of hardware basis rather than elec eng? Thats pretty much the key for me.

At UNSW, for both Comp Eng and Elec Eng you can choose to do the relavent subjects which deals with Microprocessors and design. ELEC subjects focus on making the processor while COMP subject focus on using the processor (after being made).

The diff between Comp Eng and Elec Eng is that Elec Eng needs to deal with power and electromagnetic phenomena while Comp Eng needs to deal with Computing theory.

 

[STx]

ok that makes it a bit clear to me, thx

 

[sunny]

Also im planning to do B Elec Eng/ B Comm anyway, and i dont think comp eng is offerred with BComm?

http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/undergrad/programs/COMPB13715.html

BE Computer Engineering BCom

 

[rand0m3r]

i believe there is no restriction for comp eng... tho in soft eng you are forced to minor in info sys and there is no option of majoring in it as you are prevented from doing infs1602.

looks like you're having second thoughts about Bsc (infs) already.

 

[rand0m3r]

but comp sci involves "nerdy stuff" like programming

 

[sunny]

but comp sci involves "nerdy stuff" like programming

As does Comp Eng and Soft Eng.

At least in Comp Sci you can choose to do the minimum amount of programming by choosing electives from other faculties.

 

[f3aCyclone]

I don't see anyone here from the comp eng. POV.

The first thing to ask about microprocessor design is: where do you want to go with it? I don't think that there are many jobs in Oz.

I like to think that comp eng gives you the whole picture. When you run that app on your pc, do you want to know whats in the .exe? how it's loaded into mem? how the os schedules it? how it gets run in the cpu? how the cpu works (down to the transistors)? While all of this could be considered theoretical, and "doesn't matter" when you are writing large apps in a performance critical environment I find it really useful to know what happens underneath the compiler.

That's what comp eng gives you. There's also at least 1 seng course in the core of comp eng - so you don't miss out on the docs planning etc. entirely. Even if you start off doing cowboy style programming - by the time you've dealt with a couple of 10kloc OS's and other large apps, the benefit of planning will become really obvious. And, speaking from experience (know that I'm finished) it's really annoying when people don't plan their programs at work. I spend a few mins doing it, and finish with a much better product.

Elec eng is really hardcore electronics, physics and maths, compared to what you get in comp eng.

 

[STx]

I don't see anyone here from the comp eng. POV.

The first thing to ask about microprocessor design is: where do you want to go with it? I don't think that there are many jobs in Oz.

I like to think that comp eng gives you the whole picture. When you run that app on your pc, do you want to know whats in the .exe? how it's loaded into mem? how the os schedules it? how it gets run in the cpu? how the cpu works (down to the transistors)? While all of this could be considered theoretical, and "doesn't matter" when you are writing large apps in a performance critical environment I find it really useful to know what happens underneath the compiler.

That's what comp eng gives you. There's also at least 1 seng course in the core of comp eng - so you don't miss out on the docs planning etc. entirely. Even if you start off doing cowboy style programming - by the time you've dealt with a couple of 10kloc OS's and other large apps, the benefit of planning will become really obvious. And, speaking from experience (know that I'm finished) it's really annoying when people don't plan their programs at work. I spend a few mins doing it, and finish with a much better product.

Elec eng is really hardcore electronics, physics and maths, compared to what you get in comp eng.

Hmm, thanx for that..i can say that electrical is more for me, then. With microprocessor design, that what im interested in specifically, and if its included in elec eng thats good, so i can make a more informed decision about other specialisations later on. And Beng/Bcomm is what im aiming for as well. Elec eng has to have some Seng in it right? I wouldnt mind that either.

f3aCyclone: What job are you doin atm, to do with comp eng..?

 

[gman03]

For elec eng degree you can choose to do some softeng subjects and programming subjects.

As i mentioned earlier, elec eng also deals with power consumption and generation whereas for comp eng this is not cover greatly.

 

[STx]

For elec eng degree you can choose to do some softeng subjects and programming subjects.

As i mentioned earlier, elec eng also deals with power consumption and generation whereas for comp eng this is not cover greatly.

i see, hmm, i checked the unsw handbook site and faculty sites, and i have changed my desired course again..lol, it seems Comp eng has a larger variety of 'Computer' related courses than elec eng, and taht would be better for me as im not really interested in the other elec courses like power consumption and generation like you mentioned.

thx

 

[f3aCyclone]

f3aCyclone: What job are you doin atm, to do with comp eng..?

I'm graduating in April, but have been working in the call center / phone systems industry for over 12 months now. We write the software used in call centers and phone banking systems.

When I went through, elec eng students only did computing in 1st and 2nd year I think it becomes optional after IIRC. Bear in mind that elec. eng covers everything from power lines, and high voltage stuff (like those huge transformers you see in the street etc) as well as low voltage IC type stuff.

As others have said, you pick ~ 6 electives in comp eng so you can go towards hardware if u want. Think Comp Arch and Adv. Comp Arch and then Hardware thesis through 3rd and 4th year. It might seem like a long time before you get to design your own pentium.... but the basic stuff you learn in 1st and 2nd year is really important when you start to pick your electives later.

 

[STx]

Wow, thanks for that man Im pretty sure with comp.eng now..but do you guys know what the job market is like for comp.eng/IT in Australia ??, thats the only thing im concerned about, and i've been hearing that Telcomm Eng jobs are in high demand. And im going for a double degree, eng/commerce so it will be an advantage as well.

thx for you help guys

 

[rand0m3r]

Ummm... is that suppose to be the degree's fault or her own results?

The only degree that ppl have trouble finding a job with is Info Sys.