Computer Science Engineering vs. Computer Science
Q. I am 16 years old and am looking at colleges. Whenever I browse through the
programs I see C.S under engineering and its own category. What's the
difference.
If you have majored in computer anything, I'd appreciate it if you could
email me explaining the program. Anything will be great.
A. -The difference is due to different focus of the programs.
CS may be an engineering curriculum to focus on the design of
compilers, computer architecture, etc. That usually falls under an
engineering degree (BS).
Or CS can be a liberal arts degree (BA), which may focus more on
programming languages and techniques.
Or you may want an Information Science degree, which will tend to
focus on use of database systems or library science issues.
-Well it's been a decade since I graduated, Tony. Back then, taking C.S.
meant that you would also have to take foreign language courses and
taking C.E. meant that you would also have to take additional E.E.
courses.
-At Embry-Riddle, where I am chairman of the Computer Science Program, the
distinction is in the balance between hardware and software. Both majors
require mastering the basics in both areas (hardware and software) but the
computer engineers take more advanced hardware design courses, while the
computer science majors take more advanced software and applied mathematics
courses. Hit http://www.pr.erau.edu/~eecs/acadprog.html to get a feel for how
we handle the two curricula.