What is the difference between computer science and computer engineering?
The computer engineering B.S. builds on a foundation of mathematics and physics to study the design, construction, and use of computer and digital systems. After learning a core of electronics, programming and algorithms, and computer system design, computer engineering majors may specialize in hardware (digital hardware track), software (systems programming track), or the combination of the two (networks track, multi-media track, and computer systems track). The computer science B.S. and B.A. degrees build on a similar foundation. The B.S. degree requires advanced courses in algorithms, compilers, operating systems, programming languages, and the theory of computation. The B.A. degree has different tracks allowing students to specialize in software methodologies, operating systems and hardware, compilers & programming languages, theory, or graphics.
(Submitted by seeni falonipe, riverdale, MD)A: Computer science is the study of both theoretical and practical aspects of computation and information processing. Among the issues considered by computer scientists are: what programs can and cannot do (computability and artificial intelligence), how programs should efficiently perform specific tasks (algorithm analysis); how programs should store and retrieve information (data structures and databases), and how people and programs should communicate with each other (user interfaces and programming languages). The Church-Turing thesis is considered as the defining principle of computer science; it establishes the theoretical limitations of the computing of devices as well as their power and efficiency. The computer itself is based on the principles outlined by John Von Neumann during the early 1950s. Computer science practitioners require skills that allow them to analyze, conceptualize, design, and develop algorithmic solutions to comple
Computer science is in a different college than computer engineering. A computer scientist tends to focus on programming and software rather than hardware. A computer engineer tends to focus on hardware although software and programming are certainly included in the CpE curriculum. Some courses are shared by both majors. Students deciding which major to choose should consult the respective department websites.
In our department, the difference between these majors is really just which courses are required. CS is a major within the UW’s College of Arts and Sciences, so it has broader liberal-arts general education requirements and more flexible upper-division requirements. Computer Engineering is a major within the UW’s College of Engineering, so it’s requirements are more focused and include Technical Communication and either a Hardware or Software specialization. Prerequisites differ slightly, but the application and admissions standards are the same for both majors. Admitted students can switch their major with the department easily. Students in both majors have access to nearly all the same departmental and UW resources.
