Computer Science vs Computer Engineering

[Tilmeedha]

Salaam,

Just wondering what the difference is between Computer Science and Computer Engineering. What does a student who is a Comp. Engineer do once he/she comes out of Uni, in comparison to a student who completes Computer Science?

Jazakumullah Khayr.

[from water]

CS leans more towards the software side while CEN is more on the hardware side. Both of them have a healthy mix from the other though.

So pretty much in CS there will be a focus on how to develop software writing good code that is well formed and easily maintained by those that will work on it after you. Good programming practices and so on. Whereas in CEN you will learn more about how hardware components within the computer function (often in the machine level meaning you're dealing with 0's and 1's), and how to set up networks and systems.

[Tilmeedha]

Crystal clear now. Appreciate your response.

[tigerkhan]

computer engineering is engineering related to computer systems. its more incliined toward electronics, image processing, data communication. BS computer science is more toward introduction working of computers and related softwares/languages.

[Tilmeedha]

Which one would have a better job prospect and higher salary?

[Amin]

I did a double degree in both - computer science and computer systems engineering.

If you're going to do one, I would suggest computer science.

To give you simplistic general answers:
job prospects - computer science
higher salary - computer engineering

[from water]

At the university I go to the major is called Computer Science and Engineering, so you end up taking material from both those fields as well as some electrical engineering and even general engineering (i. e. sketching diagrams, using Autodesk Inventor, Matlab).

I second computer science as well, not just because of job prospects, but I find it more appealing in general. There's a lot of cool ideas in there, be it testing, being considerate to the next programmer by applying good programming practices, writing elegant and clean code, etc. These are nice ideas, and not really an amazing amount of people apply them in their work.

[Tilmeedha]

Okay. So would this mean it is a difficult task for computer engineers to get a job within Australia - NSW/VIC?

[mayk]

How many $$$ you want to earn?

How good are you with programming? Are you curious enough to tear your toys/gadgets/things apart just to know how they work? Do you like Maths? Do you enjoy application of science and maths to real world problems? Do you like calculus? Do you like physics? Do you like probability? If I have missed it by any chance do you like Maths?

Computer science is another matter, if you are logical enough in your thinking you should be fine.