What Exactly Is Computer Science?
Computer science is an engineering discipline that prepares students to design, create, test, and evaluate applications software such as computer games, business applications, operating systems, network control systems, artificial intelligence, or robotics. It also prepares students to coordinate the construction, maintenance, and expansion of computer systems in an organization.
Computer science focuses on the information theory and problem solving methods of the computer field. It builds on a broad foundation in mathematics and physics. It emphasizes general programming competence rather than mastery of one language, so that students are adaptable to new computer languages, environments, and challenges.
Computer science can be an exciting and challenging field for students who enjoy constantly learning new things, working in different environments, and programming. People who do well in this field are good logical thinkers who like problem solving and experimenting with new approaches and who are comfortable with mathematics.
What is Computer Engineering?
Computer engineering combines computer science knowledge with electrical engineering knowledge to design, build, test, and implement computer systems. Computer hardware engineering concerns designing and building the physical components of a computer such as computer circuits, memory chips, processors, and peripherals.
Computer software engineering concerns designing and analyzing computer software and resolving functional problems. Software engineering has considerable overlap with computer science.
Which Computing Major is Right For Me?
It all depends on what you want to do in the computer field. A two-year computer science degree typically leads into a four-year program at a university in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, or information systems. A two-year degree in computer information technology typically leads to careers in information technology or further education in information systems. Here is a helpful chart that describes the differences and similarities among majors.
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