how about those computer majors?

[Minjin]

Originally posted by: Skiddex

Originally posted by: Minjin
At my school Electrical Engineering (which I'm in) is awfully close to Computer Engineering. In fact, many of the electives say that I can take from EE or CE. That means to me that if I plan things out right, it wouldn't take much effort to get both degrees. Any thoughts on that?

I had planned on doing Electrical along with Mechanical but I'm still waiting on the school to finalize the program.

I have found there is much more of an overlap between CS and CMPE class wise, but yes, there were many early classes that both CMPE and ECE people took at my university.

Well, I'm sitting here looking at the courses for all three and Computer Engineering is VERY close to Electrical Engineering. Much closer than it is to Computer Science. Like I said above, for my upper level electives, I can take nearly all CE classes and still get an EE degree. Obviously it depends on the school. I'm just asking if its worthwhile to do that...

 

[Skiddex]

Originally posted by: Minjin

Originally posted by: Skiddex

Originally posted by: Minjin
At my school Electrical Engineering (which I'm in) is awfully close to Computer Engineering. In fact, many of the electives say that I can take from EE or CE. That means to me that if I plan things out right, it wouldn't take much effort to get both degrees. Any thoughts on that?

I had planned on doing Electrical along with Mechanical but I'm still waiting on the school to finalize the program.

I have found there is much more of an overlap between CS and CMPE class wise, but yes, there were many early classes that both CMPE and ECE people took at my university.

Well, I'm sitting here looking at the courses for all three and Computer Engineering is VERY close to Electrical Engineering. Much closer than it is to Computer Science. Like I said above, for my upper level electives, I can take nearly all CE classes and still get an EE degree. Obviously it depends on the school. I'm just asking if its worthwhile to do that...

And as CE you can take almost any CS upper elective, not necessarily any EE upper elective

 

[duragezic]

CpE curriculum differs by school. Here it is a mix of EE and CS with a few CpE specific classes. I took more EE classes than CS classes. I think I only took one CS elective. I'm only like 9 credits or less away from a EE double major. I'm not getting it myself, but a lot of CpE majors here do.

With CpE, you'll likely have several labs with EEs, so stuff basic circuit skills and equipment, Matlab, Labview, design tools with FPGAs, Verilog, digital logic, all of which CS majors generally don't get into much.

Here, computer curriclums are as such:

School of Science: Computer Science which has several concentrations like Computer Science, Software Engineering, CIS (CS with Business); Bioinformatics (mix of CS and Bio classes), Computer Systems Science
College of Engineering: Computer Engineering
School of Technology: Computer Networks and Systems Administration
School of Business: Management Information Systems


Those cover a pretty wide range. Generally, people who want to get into computers get into Computer Science but realize it is totally not what they want... like they were use to building systems and using OSes. So they are gonna want more IS/IT stuff. Also, if you want to just do programming, I'd choose Software Engineering over the more theory-heavy CS. Most CS majors here just do programming anyway, and the Soft Eng skills are much more sought after by companies than whether you know LISP or some crap like that.

Do Computer Engineering if you wanna be a pimp badass.

 

[bombatwist]

Originally posted by: brikis98
I would recommend prioritizing as follows:

1. Find a university you really like, ignoring (for now) major. This will have the biggest impact on your life, both on the 4 years you're there and afterwards. You spend as much (if not more) time doing things totally unrelated to your major - such as other classes, extra curriculars, sports, parties, etc - so make sure you are happy with the campus, people, teacher-to-student-ratio, university reputation, night life, etc.

2. Pick a major that gives you a solid foundation in some field and not just some very specific subfield. For example, don't major in "just" computer networking. It may be useful and interesting, but waaaay to specific for an undergrad degree and could pigeonhole you in the future. Instead, pick a far more general major, such as computer science, computer engineering or electrical engineering. These will give you the basis you need to go into *any* specific field you want. For example, a solid computer science understanding will make learning computer networking very easy, but also allow you to study computer graphics, web design, scientific computing, etc.

3. Pick a specialization within the major, if you want (or school requires it). this could be computer networking or whatever you're interested in at the time.

1. I picked UCI and Cal Poly Pomona because either one i go to, they are somewhat near eachother, and i really like the city, environment, stuff i can do, food around the area, etc. Theres also alot of asians there too ;o. not that im racist or anything but im asian and i would feel more comfortable/confident if i was with other asians. I talked to my computer teacher a couple weeks ago and he told me that Cal Poly Pomona is the #1 school he would recommend, next to it will be UCI, UC Berkeley, and UC Riverside. UC Berkeley is somewhat too far for me, and i don't think i have a chance of getting in, i'm still thinking about it. I'll apply just in case i change my mind in the future. UC Riverside... theres not much to do there anymore since i live like 20 miles from the campus and been to all the places around there.

2. i know its not "just" computer networking. but it was a start for me, thats why i posted here and wanted to look at all the other options out there. .

Originally posted by: Keiyen
I graduated from UCI in '03 from ICS (Information & Computer Science, that's what CS is called there) with a "specialization" in networks and distributed systems. What that specialization basically entailed was me taking 1 distributed networking class, 2 computer networking classes, and probably some other one that didn't really fit in, yet still counted towards the spec.

The 2 computer networking classes consisted of 1 intro class where we learned things such as the protocols, network types, and performed some calculations like bandwidth. The 2nd was a project course where you got to play with Cisco routers and analyze your observations. That one was pretty fun. Our TA said that after that class we should be able to pass the Cisco certification test (level 1, or whatever the beginning Cisco certification is).

Like others here have already said, the majority of classes, though, are theory related where you learn about operating systems, architectures, algorithms, etc. There were a few programming courses. I think we did PHP for a couple weeks in 1 class. No HTML though. I also don't remember an IT/IS major or specific course. Things might be different now so you can always check out their current course offerings.

UCI and Cal Poly Pomona are both fine schools, can't go wrong with either. Good luck!

ICS seems like a good option and is in my level of interest. theory related stuff will be fine for me. I'm glad you posted since you used to go to UCI and had first-hand experience. It just helped me understand more of how the program works .

3. I think what i will do is explore some more during my freshman year in college, talk to others, etc, and see what i want to be willing to do by then because i'm just going to be doing General Education that year anyway. Right now i chose computer networking just to have something to start with.

 

[911paramedic]

Originally posted by: Skiddex
I double majored in computer science and computer engineering at UW-Madison. The thing that many people are surprised by is that the computer science curriculum doesnt have a java class, a c++ class, a perl class, etc... .

Mines the opposite, C++ is required as the first class, then you can continue with that or start taking php, java, perl, etc. (UNIX is also required, which I am also in right now.)

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: Skiddex

Originally posted by: Minjin
At my school Electrical Engineering (which I'm in) is awfully close to Computer Engineering. In fact, many of the electives say that I can take from EE or CE. That means to me that if I plan things out right, it wouldn't take much effort to get both degrees. Any thoughts on that?

I had planned on doing Electrical along with Mechanical but I'm still waiting on the school to finalize the program.

I have found there is much more of an overlap between CS and CMPE class wise, but yes, there were many early classes that both CMPE and ECE people took at my university.

At my school, EE and CE overlap for lower division (generally first two years). You do a little of both. Then when you apply for upper-division, you have to choose between CE and EE, which are completely different as far as classes go.

 

[Eeezee]

I'm teaching physics at UCI right now. It's a nice school, but I believe the content is seriously dumbed down (at least in physics, although I've heard the engineering and computer science courses are dumbed down as well). It's a school with a good rank regardless.

I would recommend U of Arizona, it's where I went as an undergrad. The out of state tuition is cheaper than any UC school's in-state tuition (not the Cal state schools though). The education is either just as good or better in just about any subject I can think of (definitely true of physics - the undergrad physics courses at UCI are a joke, and I heard the U of A's computer science dept is good). The girls are a lot hotter (and they wear less clothing since it's warmer in southern AZ). If you're into this kind of thing, the atmosphere is a lot more like a small town (lots of hippies from the 60s and 70s now live in Tucson - it is one of the last cities in America to have a weekly Rocky Horror show). The campus is just as nice as UCI's. Last but not least, the cost of living is a hell of a lot cheaper. Somehow U of A is incredibly easy to get into, but the freshmen retention rate is really low because the courses are actually challenging (assuming you aren't in a typical easy major like Dance).

UCI is a fine school, but I know of far better places to go. You shouldn't fear out of state schools. It sounds like you've never lived outside of Southern California, and I think everyone there now should try it at least once. I can't get into the SoCal thing, and I don't understand how so many people enjoy it.

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: 911paramedic

Originally posted by: Skiddex
I double majored in computer science and computer engineering at UW-Madison. The thing that many people are surprised by is that the computer science curriculum doesnt have a java class, a c++ class, a perl class, etc... .

Mines the opposite, C++ is required as the first class, then you can continue with that or start taking php, java, perl, etc. (UNIX is also required, which I am also in right now.)

My computer science classes don't really teach the language either. We use it as a tool to display the theory we learned in class. Like, we used Java for my data structures class. We use Lisp for artificial intelligence class. Etc.

We offer 1 hour courses for C++, PHP, Ruby, Python, UNIX, etc if anyone feels like they need a bit of help learning. But mostly you are expected to pick it up as you go in the class or teach yourself. The 1 hour classes are mostly just quick lectures taught by a student where you get a chance to ask questions and stuff.

 

[bombatwist]

Originally posted by: Eeezee
I'm teaching physics at UCI right now. It's a nice school, but I believe the content is seriously dumbed down (at least in physics, although I've heard the engineering and computer science courses are dumbed down as well). It's a school with a good rank regardless.

I would recommend U of Arizona, it's where I went as an undergrad. The out of state tuition is cheaper than any UC school's in-state tuition (not the Cal state schools though). The education is either just as good or better in just about any subject I can think of (definitely true of physics - the undergrad physics courses at UCI are a joke, and I heard the U of A's computer science dept is good). The girls are a lot hotter (and they wear less clothing since it's warmer in southern AZ). If you're into this kind of thing, the atmosphere is a lot more like a small town (lots of hippies from the 60s and 70s now live in Tucson - it is one of the last cities in America to have a weekly Rocky Horror show). The campus is just as nice as UCI's. Last but not least, the cost of living is a hell of a lot cheaper. Somehow U of A is incredibly easy to get into, but the freshmen retention rate is really low because the courses are actually challenging (assuming you aren't in a typical easy major like Dance).

UCI is a fine school, but I know of far better places to go. You shouldn't fear out of state schools. It sounds like you've never lived outside of Southern California, and I think everyone there now should try it at least once. I can't get into the SoCal thing, and I don't understand how so many people enjoy it.

im not too scared about going out of state, another reason i want to stay in california is so i can go home every week or 2.