Computer Engineers can do most things that Computer Science people do?

[Tommy2000GT]

I was talking with a guy who hires people for his company and he says the Computer Engineers he hires can do most things Computer Science people do. I asked some Computer Science people about this and they seem to disagree. Do you guys this it's true about CmpE people being able to do most things CS people do?

 

[Poontos]

Computer Sci. people are more geeky.

 

[GL]

I'm a comp. sci. student. I disagree. Comp. Sci. is not just about programming. If it were, then I'd agree with the statement. I don't think I'm willing to go into the details of the differences. ON the other hand, I am planning to take a masters in Comp. Eng. so I'll have the best of both worlds.

-GL

 

[Ranger X]

I think engineers are much more geekier. Plus, the girls tend to look more like guys ... at least the ones in comp sci. don't have facial hair.

 

[nd]

I believe most good Computer Engineers can do any typical CS job. Those CS majors who disagree are probably upset or naive to the fact.

Keep in mind a lot of Computer Engineers probably have been programming on the side or other jobs too. I'm in Computer Engineering, but have been programming for over 6 years and would put my CS skills up against any CS major.

That's not to say Computer Science is easy, though. You have to take lots of tedious classes and do algorithmic work that most programmers consider boring (binary trees, and lots of theoretical mathematical stuff). A CS major would be more familiar with this stuff than your typical CE, but I wouldn't say that makes them the better programmer.

My dad says he'd always hire a CE over a CS. But in reality it's not so important.. GOOD Computer Engineers and CS grads are difficult to find.. if you're good, you have little to worry about. I favor experience over what your degree says.

 

[The Wildcard]

Comp Science majors can program, which is not one of Computer Engineer's strong points.

 

[Ranger X]

Depends on where you go. In my school, computer engineers take far less programming courses than computer science majors but I know several schools where they are evenly matched up. Computer science majors have to take more math course and learn more computer theories than engineers.

 

[tim0thy]

i know a CompE that is can definitely program right up there with any CS person. i think the thing that people are forgetting is that getting a computer anything degree gives you the ability to learn on your own (not be an idiot)... CompE people can definitely go a CS person's job and their road is slightly rougher since they have to go take higher level courses. Experiecne will always be the winner, so it really doesn't matter what i say anwyays heh.

 

[vi edit]

Probably depends totally upon what program you graduated from.
For me, my comp sci. degree covered a ton of different things:accounting, business, economics, programming, management, math, networking, web development, and a couple other things.

For my comp sci degree, the most math I had to take was algebra. In a college across town, the comp sci majors had to take about four semesters of calculus and another couple semesters of 300+ level math classes. The rest of their comp sci hours were done programming.

I can't comment on CE, because I have not gone through, or looked at any programs for it. I do believe though that CE requires in general, higher math and physics classes, as well as a lot of "engineering" classes that are not required for a comp sci major.

Soooo...to answer your question, maybe

It depends upon three things:
1) job at hand
2) program you came from
3) competence level of applicant

In all honesty, a comp sci or engineering degree isn't even that important. Many people that I have worked with in the IT industry have all sorts of degrees such as literature, business, accounting, biology, and liberal arts.

The most important thing is how competent and skillful the person applying for the job is. All of my "job skills" were learned on my own, not in a classroom. Employers are so desperate for computer people, all they are requiring is a degree...they really don't care what it is in as long as you can do the job.

And any employer who blows off a job applicant because the person doesn't have a degree in CS, or CE, or CIS is just flat out ignorant and passing a very large percentage of skilled applicants.