Computer Science vs Electrical Engineering

[GodsAndKings]

Without knowing much else, which major would you recommend for future college students? For simplicity, let assume that both are equally interesting and are equally obtainable.

 

[purbeast0]

Without knowing much else, which major would you recommend for future college students? For simplicity, let assume that both are equally interesting and are equally obtainable.

i'd tell them neither if this was how they were asking, since it doesn't give enough information and i would assume the student probably isn't smart enough to get through either them if they aren't smart enough to give more information with the question.

 

[clamum]

Social Work

 

[Printer Bandit]

EE > *

computer science = code monkey that gets no respect.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

Free iPad major.

 

[MontyAC]

EE with CS as minor. I want that free iPad.

 

[Ricemarine]

Computer science, but that's because I had more interest in it. While there is some overlap, they are very much different. EE here focused more on circuitry, semiconductor physics, signals, and specialties like DSP. CS is more broad and higher level: machine learning, computer vision, algorithms, security, operating systems, etc.

I can say that with the companies I worked for in the software industry, they're paid and respected well. Most EE people I know went to places like Boeing or Cisco. Once again, it all depends on your interest.

 

[nickbits]

With CS, it will probably be easier to get a job but EE is probably more rewarding/prestigious. I'm guessing the salary ranges overlap. CS 30-100K+. I assume EE is in the same range.

Hardware or software. Which do you find more interesting?

 

[Cappuccino]

You have more chance getting a job with a Electrical Engineering degree. But more students study CS though. Also, the requirement to study Electrical Engineering is higher than CS.

 

[nickbits]

You have more chance getting a job with a Electrical Engineering degree. But more students study CS though. Also, the requirement to study Electrical Engineering is higher than CS.

I'm pretty sure there are more CS jobs than EE but he quality of EE jobs is probably better though on average.

 

[jaedaliu]

I'm pretty sure there are more CS jobs than EE but the quality of EE jobs is probably better though on average.

I agree with this.

 

[vshah]

I did "Computer Engineering - under the Engineering school but a bit of a mix of CS/EE. Didn't get down into the nitty gritty physics of EE, and took more coding/algo classes than EE and more hardware design classes than CS (none).
Am working as a Software engineer, I feel it prepared me well. Understanding the hardware and the levels of code all the way down is nice.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Computer Science = you get outsourced by somebody in India.
Electrical Engineer = you get outsourced by somebody in China.

Take your pick

 

[Scarpozzi]

EE > *

computer science = code monkey that gets no respect.

I agree, but will say that CS major jobs will vary greatly from job to job. Respect isn't something a maintenance programmer typically seeks.

EE skills will probably outlast CS skills without more training or learning new languages....but those new skills/languages create more turnover in IT jobs that present future opportunities. The downside is that pay in the EE sector is typically greater than programmers because the market is somewhat flooded.

So....EE will get you 1. Higher Pay 2. Longevity/Stability
CS will get you 1. Lower Pay 2. More choices to move laterally for lower pay later

 

[MrDudeMan]

EE by far. I can write code just as well as any CS, but very few of them can do my job. Also, the demand for CS isn't as high as you'd think if you're talking about reasonable pay. Tons of EE jobs will never, ever be outsourced. Some of the problems require far too much team based expertise to outsource. There are some CS jobs like that as well, but not nearly as many.

 

[ruhtraeel]

EE > *

computer science = code monkey that gets no respect.

You guys are getting Computer Science and Software Engineering mixed up.

Software Engineering = Code Monkey.
Any Engineering = Applied.

Computer Science = Discrete Math = Pure.

Computer Scientists don't code. They do algorithm work. In fact, most higher-level Computer Science courses don't require you to code; they are heavily emphasized on theory.

Software Engineers (because Engineering is applied) are the ones that just learn how to code well in lots of different languages.

Computer Scientists learn about the theory behind it, and use programming languages to achieve what they want. Ie. Learn the minimum amount of languages required to get the idea across, and all other languages come naturally.


I'm not a fan of people who think CS is just coding. Coding is applied, and applied = Engineering = Lots of arithmetic decimal/thousand-heavy equations in many different units. CS = Math/Logic = Never encounter a number above 10.


http://xkcd.com/899/

 

[purbeast0]

You guys are getting Computer Science and Software Engineering mixed up.

Software Engineering = Code Monkey.
Any Engineering = Applied.

Computer Science = Discrete Math = Pure.

Computer Scientists don't code. They do algorithm work. In fact, most higher-level Computer Science courses don't require you to code; they are heavily emphasized on theory.

Software Engineers (because Engineering is applied) are the ones that just learn how to code well in lots of different languages.

Computer Scientists learn about the theory behind it, and use programming languages to achieve what they want. Ie. Learn the minimum amount of languages required to get the idea across, and all other languages come naturally.

but i think most software engineers/developers are CS majors in general. at least in my career that is how it's been. there has been like 1-2 EE majors but the rest are CS majors.

i've been a software engineer/developer my entire career (9 years) and i have never met someone who fits the "computer scientist" as you are talking about it. i mean i learned the theory behind it in school, but now i can apply it in any language needed to get the job done.

EDIT:

now that i read your post again, i really don't get it heh.

but i do agree that CS is far from just coding.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Whichever one you will enjoy more and make the effort to get good at.

If you're good at either you'll find jobs. If you're bad at either you'll struggle and hate the work.

Now "free Ipod giver", that's a fun and manly endeavor!

 

[xBiffx]

EE > *

computer science = code monkey that gets no respect.

Better yet.

* Engineering > *

 

[purbeast0]

Better yet.

* Engineering > *

what if you are a software engineer, but majored in computer science?

/mind blown

 

[xBiffx]

what if you are a software engineer, but majored in computer science?

/mind blown

Then you are a CS major, not an engineer.

/mind unblown

 

[ruhtraeel]

but i think most software engineers/developers are CS majors in general. at least in my career that is how it's been. there has been like 1-2 EE majors but the rest are CS majors.

i've been a software engineer/developer my entire career (9 years) and i have never met someone who fits the "computer scientist" as you are talking about it. i mean i learned the theory behind it in school, but now i can apply it in any language needed to get the job done.

EDIT:

now that i read your post again, i really don't get it heh.

but i do agree that CS is far from just coding.

That's usually different than what's happening at my university. Here, there are a lot of Software Engineers. There are a couple hundred graduates of Engineering every year.

Computer Science though... every year has around 80 graduates.

You can get a major in Software Engineering, or you can get a Computer Science major with a concentration in Software Engineering (or algorithms, graphic design, video game creation, database systems, human computer interactions).

Everyone goes in thinking they want to make games or do graphic design, and more than half of them leave once they realize there's too much linear algebra.

I'm going into my fourth year in September, and I've reached the point where all my assignments are like 200 lines max, and the rest is just proof-heavy pure math and turing machines and pumping lemma etc.

Software Engineer = How to code well, how to code in a group, how to get requirements properly, etc.

Computer Science (over here) = How to do logic and math within the constraint of a computer.

 

[purbeast0]

Then you are a CS major, not an engineer.

/mind unblown

my job title and company would like to have a word with you.

That's usually different than what's happening at my university. Here, there are a lot of Software Engineers. There are a couple hundred graduates of Engineering every year.

Computer Science though... every year has around 80 graduates.

I'm going into my fourth year in September, and I've reached the point where all my assignments are like 200 lines max, and the rest is just proof-heavy pure math and turing machines and pumping lemma etc.

Software Engineer = How to code well, how to code in a group, how to get requirements properly, etc.

Computer Science (over here) = How to do logic and math within the constraint of a computer.

my school (UMD) didn't even have a software engineer major when i was in school (graduated in 2004), not sure if it has changed since then. i took a semester long course called software engineering though.

out of the 4 places i've worked since i graduated, i've never been in a place where you don't do the "software engineer" description you have above as far as how to work on a big project with a group of people.

 

[xBiffx]

my job title and company would like to have a word with you.

Job titles are a joke.

 

[edro]

EE > *

computer science = code monkey that gets no respect.

I concur.