Quote:
Originally Posted by ice8
i was wondering about computer engineering. i heard it is very similar to electrical while at the same time it is a separate program. could some one explain me the difference between computer and software? also, the fact why it is often compared to electrical being the same.
|
Software engineering involves optimizing code and algorithms.
Computer engineering deals with designing hardware and analyzing circuits. While you do some programming in Comp Eng, you will not go into the depths of optimization. Also, you not only program software but hardware as well using
HDL (most likely Verilog-2005).
Comp Eng is compared to electrical a lot because about 85% of our courses are in common with the elec people. In third and fourth year is when the distinctions start with elec taking power courses (transmission, generation, etc.) and us comps taking more hardware design oriented courses as well as network communications, real time systems design and operating system design.
The nice thing about having so many common courses is that if you are in elec but want to take some hardware design courses you can as your technical electives. You won't have the "time" (due to how courses are offered) to get into the depths of say embeded systems but you will be able to have some idea of what they are and what is involved (Of course if you want to stay an extra year and take all those courses nothing is stopping you). The reverse is true for comp as well.