Computer engineering vs Computer Science?

Question

Sorry if this is in the wrong place; I haven´t posted in SE Engineering before, and the site said that SEE is also for students.

I´m a High School senior and I´m debating between Computer Engineering and Computer Science. Can someone give me practical ¨real world¨ differences between the two? I think I´m more interested in embedded systems, VR, AI, and electronics than just software (though who really knows until I actually study it!) Especially virtual reality and AI because they´re such new, promising fields. If I want to work in those fields would either degree be more applicable?

Thanks for your input! I´d really appreciate some replies from outside sources or personal experience.

Answer 1

Computer Engineering tend to go more deeper into Electrical engineering topics such as electronics, transistors, micro processor design, embedded systems as well as some computer programming topic. Labs tend to be more hands on working with electronic components, as well as using electronic measurement instruments such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers

Computer Science programs tend go deeper into topic such as programming languages, database design, object oriented programming and so forth. The exposure to electronics are much lighter in a computer science programs. Labs tend to mostly focused on writing software programs.

I suggest that you look at computer engineering and computer science curriculum from different universities. This is should help you get better understanding of the differences between programs.

Here are the undergraduate curriculum requirement for Computer Engineering and Computer science at University of Illinois. I suggest that you do side by side comparison between a both the programs.

If you are more interested in Embedded Systems, I suggest that you follow a Computer Engineering program. I also suggest following some of the free online course. These will give you better first hand experiences on what is best for you.

Good luck