Computer engineering

[Anonymous]

My son recently decided he wants to go into computer engineering (hardware). We visited a university this weekend and they do not offer a Computer Engineering as an undergraduate degree. They said you have to major in electrical engineering and then get an MS or PhD in computer engineering. This wasn’t the case at the two other universities we’ve looked at. Is this a common thing?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Not every school has every major.

Perhaps this one isn't for him. But read the courses offered... there may be close to the equivalent.

[Anonymous]

I know that Michigan has a computer science program in their arts & sciences college and a computer engineering program at their college of engineering. But I would agree, computer science is more common than computer engineering.

[Anonymous]

EE is the foundation of computer (hardware) engineering. There may be a couple of classes that specifically deal with computer HW, but the larger issue in HW design is doing things to ensure no cross talk/interference. That is a EE task.

I would rather have a good EE program than an Meh Computer Engineering...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know that Michigan has a computer science program in their arts & sciences college and a computer engineering program at their college of engineering. But I would agree, computer science is more common than computer engineering.

A BA (v a BS) in computer science is the second rate degree (unless the rest of your transcript supports why you made that choice.

Computer engineering and computer science are related but not the same. The difference in physics requirements alone are obvious.

[Anonymous]

EE = Comp Eng

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:EE = Comp Eng

CE is a small part of EE. EE is focused on things with moving currents -- optimizing systems. Mitigating things like induced magnetic fields (why we use twisted pair or coaxial cables instead of linear cables). Also, minimizing cross talk. Those induced magnetic fields can result currents on neighboring circuits. That is important to computer engineering, but also other things.

Understanding what the transistors do (an IC is essentially miniature components).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son recently decided he wants to go into computer engineering (hardware). We visited a university this weekend and they do not offer a Computer Engineering as an undergraduate degree. They said you have to major in electrical engineering and then get an MS or PhD in computer engineering. This wasn’t the case at the two other universities we’ve looked at. Is this a common thing?

Thanks.

Plenty of schools have Computer Engineering. Look to those.

[Anonymous]

My brother started in computer engineering and quickly realized a EE degree would be much better to have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know that Michigan has a computer science program in their arts & sciences college and a computer engineering program at their college of engineering. But I would agree, computer science is more common than computer engineering.

A BA (v a BS) in computer science is the second rate degree (unless the rest of your transcript supports why you made that choice.

Computer engineering and computer science are related but not the same. The difference in physics requirements alone are obvious.

I'm the poster about UofM, and I agree. The computer engineering students are in a different league than the LSA CS students. They get jobs at elite tech companies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know that Michigan has a computer science program in their arts & sciences college and a computer engineering program at their college of engineering. But I would agree, computer science is more common than computer engineering.

A BA (v a BS) in computer science is the second rate degree (unless the rest of your transcript supports why you made that choice.

Computer engineering and computer science are related but not the same. The difference in physics requirements alone are obvious.

I'm the poster about UofM, and I agree. The computer engineering students are in a different league than the LSA CS students. They get jobs at elite tech companies.

U-M Engineering school put him on deferred admission. Everywhere else is offering scholarships. Not sure what it takes to get into U-M engineering. Probably a 1580 SAT backed up by a 4.0 GPA and every AP credit available and a few inventions during High school. It seems to make more sense to get an engineering degree elsewhere and an MS or Phd later than to pay full boat for U-M.

Are engineering Phds funded like other areas?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know that Michigan has a computer science program in their arts & sciences college and a computer engineering program at their college of engineering. But I would agree, computer science is more common than computer engineering.

A BA (v a BS) in computer science is the second rate degree (unless the rest of your transcript supports why you made that choice.

Computer engineering and computer science are related but not the same. The difference in physics requirements alone are obvious.

I'm the poster about UofM, and I agree. The computer engineering students are in a different league than the LSA CS students. They get jobs at elite tech companies.

U-M Engineering school put him on deferred admission. Everywhere else is offering scholarships. Not sure what it takes to get into U-M engineering. Probably a 1580 SAT backed up by a 4.0 GPA and every AP credit available and a few inventions during High school. It seems to make more sense to get an engineering degree elsewhere and an MS or Phd later than to pay full boat for U-M.

Are engineering Phds funded like other areas?

Yes, engineering phds are often funded.

Yes, there are lots of opportunities to work in labs along the way.

If your kid din't get a direct admit, then it isn't happening for him. Get an engineering school where your kid has a direct admit. It isn't just getting in, but getting out, and (sorry to say) your kid din't measure up. Mine neither.

[Anonymous]

I'm a Computer Engineering (CpE) grad from VT. At the time (90s), it was one of the 6 disciplines within EE, but specialized enough to have its own major. Back then, you took the EE CpE courses in the Eng school and CS courses from the CS department in the Arts and Sciences College. Now, CS is in the Eng College at VT.

In short, CpE felt like a merged EE (specialized in the CpE discipline) and CS degree. I had many, many job opportunities and options on the hardware and software side. Some of my friends went to Intel, AMD, IBM, HP, IT consulting with the Big 5 (5 back then), and GE. These were the "cool" places to be recruited to back then. There was no Google, Amazon was a startup, and Apple wasn't the Apple we know today.

It's funny, I didn't like the software side in school, but enjoyed it more once I started working as a summer intern at GE. I think it had something to do with building something meaningful and real.

[Anonymous]

Do both - CE and CS and be full stack. You will be very valuable.

[Anonymous]

I would really be careful about being a hardware-side engineer these days. It is a very limited future, in my opinion, because due to downward price demands.