Computer Science Versus Computer Engineering

[TimEdwards]

Hello all,

I have a very biased friend who insists that Computer Engineering would be the best for getting into the industry, but how does it measure up to a computer science degree and what does the industry think of all this?

By the way if anyone from the industry can let me know which degree is better and why or what their company employs more of I'd most certainly love to know as I have decided to go back to school (My 3D Portfolio is not cutting it versus those with years of experience sadly). I'll be going to a school with a Co-Op so my marks actually account for something instead of a giant receipt that says I got High Honors.

Also thanks in advance for any help, advice, tips, tidbits, or even just information given in this thread. I'm going back to school probably within the year if my search for information concludes. Also, I want a backup plan, so games industry specific might not be the best choice for the industry at the moment.

Sincerely,
Tim Edwards

[Adrir]

Originally Posted by TimEdwards

I have a very biased friend who insists that Computer Engineering would be the best for getting into the industry, but how does it measure up to a computer science degree and what does the industry think of all this?

I'm not in the industry yet, however this is the impression I've got from people I've spoken with:

It depends on the university and the content of the particular course in question. A computer science degree is what employers ask for in job adverts. However, any technical, science or maths degree is acceptable.

Both degrees should have firm foundations in mathematics and programming yet both can easily deviate from the core skillset required for a games programmer. Computer Science can venture off into the world of IT while Computer Engineering can venture off into hardware and robotics. However, the best degree, in my opinion, would be Software Engineering.

[dzeligman]

I second Adrir's comment, it really depends on the university coursework.

Here at Nebraska CE's take less general electives, are required to take some EE, physics and some other sciences.

CS have a little bit more freedom, but also are required to take some language theory and higher level theory based courses over such things as automatons, operating systems and other things.

When it comes down to it CE is basically more low level and hardware focused.

[Marco Roy]

I also agree with Adrir (and dzeligman); Software Engineering would be the best choice.

A Computer Engineering degree contains many computer hardware classes that have little, if anything, to do with the video games industry. (Unless you're working on hardware for consoles, but that's quite far from making games)

[DTR]

Still its quite beneficial to know a thing or two about the hardware.
But that can be easily learned with own initiative from the literature. The trick is just to realize that the knowledge on that area is useful, even though its may not be emphasized on ones degree.

[Adrir]

I would imagine that most people interested in programming would also be computer enthusiasts. Therefore they would hopefully know a lot about hardware and electronics anyway - especially if they assemble their own custom tailored machines!

[Gshonk]

You also learn a lot about hardware on the job.

[Falmil]

What about Software Engineering vs. Computer Science?

[yaustar]

Either. The former is generally more practical and the latter is more theory.

[aedsys]

software engineering is mostly base on practical work and computer sciences is base on the theory about all fields. in software engineering you choose the specific courses and study them and become specialize in that area and in computer sciences you have to read all the courses including networking, software, web, databases, etc. this is the difference from my point of view