Computer Science or Computer Engineering

[Monkleys]

Hi Guys

I am a bit conflicted. Next year I would like to study a course in line with computers.
I enjoy working with computers, both software and hardware. At UCT I noticed that offer both BSc Computer Science and Computer Engineering.

I would like to do a course that includes both the software and hardware part, when I came across this things were a bit conflicted for me. I have not fount this other course at any other university
and I have also ruled out Engineering Computer Science and Electrical.

Has anybody done this degree, or busy doing it that could possibly shed some light. I'm worried that if I were to do Computer Engineering it may compromise some of CS course leading to me being stuck with a degree that I can't do much with.

Could anyone shed some light?

 

[The_MAC]

I cannot comment on UCT courses, but can on University of Pretoria. I started the BEng Computer Engineering degree, but for me it was poorly structured, especially the lack of programming subjects. I was not a good coder and needed the gradual learning offered by a BSc Computer Science degree i.e. from the basics right up to advanced.

The BEng Computer Engineering degree was a compromise between Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, but if you have a good understanding of coding than maybe a blend of Engineering and Computer Science will be beneficial. I do think that as a Computer Engineer you could "easily" find work in the Engineering and IT industry.

I suggest you get a course book of each degree with subject description and compare.

 

[henry1103]

I would recommend you calling the science faculty and ask them what this Computer Engineering degree is about and how it differs from just a normal Com Sci degree.

Then give the Engineering faculty a call and ask them about their Electrical and Computer Science degree.

Science faculty contact here
Engineering faculty contact here

 

[Zindaar]

Here is the full answer: http://www.acm.org/education/education/curric_vols/CC2005-March06Final.pdf

That is to say it is the internationally recognised curriculum for all computer based degrees. (I know tuks uses this as the basis for it's curriculums? cirriculae? for it's course content )

Short version: read pg 17 & 18. Computer engineering is focussed on actually building computers, from the ground up. Computer science is focused on the algorithms and techniques used to make computers do what you want them to do.

 

[mr_norris]

I'd seriously do what henry suggests.

The university in UKZN introduced the Computer Engineering degree while I was there. First year all engineering courses are pretty much the same, so you'll be doing Chem, Physics, Maths, applied Maths, and so on along with everyone else.

I'm unfamiliar with the structure of Computer Science degrees there, but with Unisa it's more development orientated from the beginning, with a bit of maths and a ton of theory.

I think Comp. Eng. is great for the long term, but if coding is what interests you, Comp. Sci. would be the way to go. I'm quite sure you'll only get to the Computer Engineering bit from the second year, but mostly in the third.

 

[systemofpurplelimpminion]

Hi Guys

I am a bit conflicted. Next year I would like to study a course in line with computers.
I enjoy working with computers, both software and hardware. At UCT I noticed that offer both BSc Computer Science and BSc Computer Science or Computer Engineering.

I would like to do a course that includes both the software and hardware part, when I came across this things were a bit conflicted for me. I have not fount this other course at any other univarsity
and I have also ruled out Engineering Computer science and eletrical.

Has anybody done this degree, or busy doing it that could possibly shed some light. I'm worried that if I were to do Computer Engineering it may compermise some of CS course leading to me being stuck with a degree that I can't do much with.

Could anyone shed some light?

There is also a course at UJ called Electrical Engineering with IT, that might interest you.
More heavily structured towards the engineering side, but you get to do cool stuff like build your on pcb and write the code for it.

 

[Wyzak]

Computer Engineering at Tukkies is backed (or at least was when I studied there) by the Washington Accord and allows you to work in any of the signee countries with very little or no effort. I'm in the process of moving to Australia and having my qualifications assessed there was literally just a rubber stamp, thanks to the Washington accord.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Accord

The Washington Accord is an international accreditation agreement for professional engineering academic degrees, between the bodies responsible for accreditation in its signatory countries. Established in 1989, the signatories as of 2013 are Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.[1]

The CS degree might have a similar agreement though.

I can really recommend B.Eng (computer)

 

[Wyzak]

Here is the full answer: http://www.acm.org/education/education/curric_vols/CC2005-March06Final.pdf
Short version: read pg 17 & 18. Computer engineering is focussed on actually building computers, from the ground up. Computer science is focused on the algorithms and techniques used to make computers do what you want them to do.

Computer engineering has very little if anything to do with computers. The name is very misleading.

Essentially, you get computer science on one side where people focus entirely on software development. Then on the other side you have electronic engineering where people focus almost entirely on hardware development.

Embedded devices created a problem because it requires a hybrid of both skill sets. The programming knowledge of electronic engineers can often be found lacking, similarly to the hardware knowledge of computer science students. Hence the computer engineering course was designed to fit into the module of those two disciplines.

 

[ngwenyas]

Hi Guys

I have been in talks with CTI! When i came across this I would have expected someone to say something about CTi. What is wrong with Cti besides that their courses are EXPENSIVE.

 

[ngwenyas]

Hi Guys

I have been in talks with CTI! When i came across this I would have expected someone to say something about CTi. What is wrong with Cti besides that their courses are EXPENSIVE.

I Like the fact that your certify internationally with most of the subject and that it's NQF 7 with a mixutre of different hardware, programming and O.S. It sounds good on paper but i dont really know the in's and out's of CTI.

 

[henry1103]

I Like the fact that your certify internationally with most of the subject and that it's NQF 7 with a mixutre of different hardware, programming and O.S. It sounds good on paper but i dont really know the in's and out's of CTI.

Did a bit of searching on what Cti is... and found this :erm:

 

[ngwenyas]

Did a bit of searching on what Cti is... and found this :erm:

Wow, thanks for that. My suspicions started when they said the tablet is part of the course. Now since I am paying for my own fees, I said I don't want it. They insist and can't remove it from the quotes. I told them i have 3 tablets sitting at home doing nothing! they say I can sell them :wtf: I am looking at doing some self study right now.

 

[sn3rd]

A few of us forumites are B.Eng (Computer) alumni.

From my dealings, both during undergrad and in the workplace, Computer Science is mathematics theory and logic rather than programming-oriented. Sure programming is involved, but it is not the focus. B.Eng is heavily NOT focused on programming, but rather on the application of mathematics and science to problem solving; it is more about the process than the result.

Having said that, both are great qualifications and both will give you ample opportunities for employment.

Depending on your area of interest (and expected area of interest; I think most people change their minds a few times), you might also consider an Informatics degree which might not hold as much technical clout but is certainly still sought after in the corporate environment.

Most of what you will apply in the workforce will be learnt after undergrad anyway, so you should consider the coursework too. I can vouch for B.Eng being a serious amount of work, requiring high levels of dedication from even the brightest students. The difficulty? Not too bad.

 

[FrankCastle]

From Engineering you can expand into CS but not the other way around.

You'll effectively have degrees if you do CE first.

 

[aigle2am]

Hi

I did Computer Engineering at UCT. It requires you do Maths1, Computer Science1 and Physics1 in first year. In second year, you will do two Engineering semester courses and Computer Science2. In final year you will then do Computer Science3 and choose between 3 combinations of Engineering courses. I do recommend this stream as you will gain alot of insight as to how a computer is designed and will enlighten you on the world of electonics. PM me for more details.

 

[Monkleys]

I would recommend you calling the science faculty and ask them what this Computer Engineering degree is about and how it differs from just a normal Com Sci degree.

Then give the Engineering faculty a call and ask them about their Electrical and Computer Science degree.

Science faculty contact here
Engineering faculty contact here

I'll be sure to do this.

Here is the full answer: http://www.acm.org/education/education/curric_vols/CC2005-March06Final.pdf

That is to say it is the internationally recognised curriculum for all computer based degrees. (I know tuks uses this as the basis for it's curriculums? cirriculae? for it's course content )

Short version: read pg 17 & 18. Computer engineering is focussed on actually building computers, from the ground up. Computer science is focused on the algorithms and techniques used to make computers do what you want them to do.

Thanks a lot for this. The research in that document helped to confirm that the Bsc CE is not just some thrown together course.

Computer engineering has very little if anything to do with computers. The name is very misleading.

Essentially, you get computer science on one side where people focus entirely on software development. Then on the other side you have electronic engineering where people focus almost entirely on hardware development.

Embedded devices created a problem because it requires a hybrid of both skill sets. The programming knowledge of electronic engineers can often be found lacking, similarly to the hardware knowledge of computer science students. Hence the computer engineering course was designed to fit into the module of those two disciplines.

I have decided to rule out BEng. I want to focus entirely on a major based on computers. I grew up with computers in my home, and I believe I have learned quite a lot on my own. I want to study further to extend this knowledge and gain a much greater understanding. As well as use the to secure myself financially in the future with a good career choice

Hi Guys

I have been in talks with CTI! When i came across this I would have expected someone to say something about CTi. What is wrong with Cti besides that their courses are EXPENSIVE.

I haven't even considered CTI over their open day. I have a few friend there and I have heard very few good words. I would prefer to do my qualification at a university.
Also my family has very little money to pay for my studies so that only way I will be able to study is with a bursary, and CTI offers few bursary options.

Hi

I did Computer Engineering at UCT. It requires you do Maths1, Computer Science1 and Physics1 in first year. In second year, you will do two Engineering semester courses and Computer Science2. In final year you will then do Computer Science3 and choose between 3 combinations of Engineering courses. I do recommend this stream as you will gain alot of insight as to how a computer is designed and will enlighten you on the world of electonics. PM me for more details.

I have sent you a private message, I really hope to get your input.


Basically I am worried that the course compromises the CS content to add the extra engineering content, what I am asking is: Do you end up with two half courses instead of one full course, because of the addition of the engineering content.

I enjoy computers a lot. I have grown up with them around and always worked with them. I enjoy working with computer software, getting new things to work. But I also enjoy the hardware part of understanding how the different components run and what makes a computer tick.

 

[Javas4u]

On my opinion TUT offers the best when it comes to engineering and IT. You should look at IT-Intelligent Industrial Systems. Basically it involves extensive programming, hardware design, artificial intelligence, games programming, PLC design and automation and robotics.

 

[|tera|]

On my opinion TUT offers the best when it comes to engineering and IT. You should look at IT-Intelligent Industrial Systems. Basically it involves extensive programming, hardware design, artificial intelligence, games programming, PLC design and automation and robotics.

Sweet.
Do they teach you how to read and use Google too?

Especially since you like responding to 7 year old threads?

Asking for a friend.

 

[cguy]

Op is probably half way through their PhD by now.

 

[Javas4u]

That's rude,. Why do people in this country always approach things with negativety. I only responded to an old thread for someone who might need the info.