If i want to work in semiconductors...

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: Tiamat
Electrical and Computer Engineering Double major if possible (many schools have a program for this).


It depends, if you want the materials aspect of the industry, then you want Chemical Engineering with some Electrical Engineering course work whether that is a minor, major, or grad degree. Of course, Material science, physics, chemistry will all be a part of whats important to this field.

A lot of schools won't allow a double major in those two, like Purdue. You can still take the classes because it's just a difference of 4 classes, but I don't believe they'll grant you the second major. I could be wrong, but that's how I understand it.

Yeah, it seems like that is the case at PSU. Even if you meet all of the requirements, they will not allow you to get the 2nd major. I will ask the department head and find out.

 

[darthsidious]

So I'm still not sure exactly what you want to do
a) Design new process technologies for a company like TSMC/Intel
b) Work in say Intel/TI's design divisions to create new circuits for IC's
c) Program/test/do board level work using those IC's

If you're interested in a) (which is the impression I get), I don't understand why you want to take programming classes, architecture et al. They'll have very little relevance to your work. You'd be better off taking design courses, or some extra physics/material sciences courses

Here are some courses to indicate what I mean

a) Semiconductor Physics

b)Digital Design

c)Computer Architecture

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: darthsidious
So I'm still not sure exactly what you want to do
a) Design new process technologies for a company like TSMC/Intel
b) Work in say Intel/TI's design divisions to create new circuits for IC's
c) Program/test/do board level work using those IC's

If you're interested in a) (which is the impression I get), I don't understand why you want to take programming classes, architecture et al. They'll have very little relevance to your work. You'd be better off taking design courses, or some extra physics/material sciences courses

I already have quite a bit of physics now, materials sciences courses can be used for my nanotech minor if i choose to take it.

You guys have already swayed me to EE over CompE.

and out of the things you listed, a or b.

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: silverpig
Research? Like what in particular?

Working on new products for any of "the big 20" companies.

What i *DONT* want, is to be programming, or doing validation all day.

At what level? There are many stages of development. Right now spintronics is in its infancy. There is a lot of research being done which will eventually lead to products, but you won't design a spin-based consumer product.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: cubby1223
Electrical engineering is usually the better choice over computer engineering. The two degrees overlap a lot. If you want, major in EE and take CompE courses for your tech electives.

Why is that though? It's not the first time ive heard this, but isnt a fundamental understanding of operating systems, software, firmware, drivers etc... important to engineering better devices?

As an EE i would only have a couple programming courses and miss a lot of stuff like:

CSE 331 Computer Organization & Design
CSE 411 Operating Systems
CSE 430W Computer Engr. Project Design
CSE 431 Introduction to Computer Architecture
CSE 465 Data Structures & Algorithms

Hiring companies generally prefer electrical engineers and train them for their specific job requirements, even if it's in the computer engineering field. I've got a Computer Engineering degree from the University of Illinois, didn't follow up with it after graduating, that wasn't my plan later on. Do you want to focus more on the materials, or the programming? Either way, the programs are almost identical the first two years, and you can switch over to the other after talking to the advisers at the university about your specific interests. Undergraduate courses are not so much about learning knowledge, it's more about learning how to learn. Then you focus on the research and knowledge in grad school.

More on the materials side, i was also considering taking the Nanotechnology Minor.

You should definitely look into Materials Science. I'm an MSE major and it's definitely very interesting stuff. I feel that too many EE people have no knowledge of the fundamental workings of the electronics that they deal with. Everything they speak of is either voltages currents and analog terms or digital stuff but they know nothing about how their semiconductors work with bandgaps and stuff. A EE and Materials Science double major is extremely powerful and it's pretty much the way to go if you want to do nano stuff.

People always worry that when they do EE they lose out on more computer specific stuff especially the software side. Here's my take on it. If you can do chip design and semiconductor physics, there's no doubt you can do programming. Programming classes can be taken anyday and if you really need a job in software you can pick it up in no time. Those hardware jobs are the truly skilled ones that people won't just hire a CS major for. You can't just make up those hardware courses at a JC and think that Intel will want you.

 

[JRich]

I have a ASEE. The engineers in my group have BS or higher in EE and Chem.

 

[RedCOMET]

I skimmed over the response in the thread, and didn't see this mentioned, and I didn't want to assume anything....

DO research as a undergrad if you can. This can help you alot when you decide to do grad school, plus its a great way to gain exposure to "real world stuff" that you don't always get in courses; or you may realize this is not what you want to be doing...

Grad school is a lot of research, and research isn't for every one.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: DLeRium

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: cubby1223
Electrical engineering is usually the better choice over computer engineering. The two degrees overlap a lot. If you want, major in EE and take CompE courses for your tech electives.

Why is that though? It's not the first time ive heard this, but isnt a fundamental understanding of operating systems, software, firmware, drivers etc... important to engineering better devices?

As an EE i would only have a couple programming courses and miss a lot of stuff like:

CSE 331 Computer Organization & Design
CSE 411 Operating Systems
CSE 430W Computer Engr. Project Design
CSE 431 Introduction to Computer Architecture
CSE 465 Data Structures & Algorithms

Hiring companies generally prefer electrical engineers and train them for their specific job requirements, even if it's in the computer engineering field. I've got a Computer Engineering degree from the University of Illinois, didn't follow up with it after graduating, that wasn't my plan later on. Do you want to focus more on the materials, or the programming? Either way, the programs are almost identical the first two years, and you can switch over to the other after talking to the advisers at the university about your specific interests. Undergraduate courses are not so much about learning knowledge, it's more about learning how to learn. Then you focus on the research and knowledge in grad school.

More on the materials side, i was also considering taking the Nanotechnology Minor.

You should definitely look into Materials Science. I'm an MSE major and it's definitely very interesting stuff. I feel that too many EE people have no knowledge of the fundamental workings of the electronics that they deal with. Everything they speak of is either voltages currents and analog terms or digital stuff but they know nothing about how their semiconductors work with bandgaps and stuff. A EE and Materials Science double major is extremely powerful and it's pretty much the way to go if you want to do nano stuff.

People always worry that when they do EE they lose out on more computer specific stuff especially the software side. Here's my take on it. If you can do chip design and semiconductor physics, there's no doubt you can do programming. Programming classes can be taken anyday and if you really need a job in software you can pick it up in no time. Those hardware jobs are the truly skilled ones that people won't just hire a CS major for. You can't just make up those hardware courses at a JC and think that Intel will want you.

Good advice, ive heard that Materials Science and EE is a good way to go.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: silverpig

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: silverpig
Research? Like what in particular?

Working on new products for any of "the big 20" companies.

What i *DONT* want, is to be programming, or doing validation all day.

At what level? There are many stages of development. Right now spintronics is in its infancy. There is a lot of research being done which will eventually lead to products, but you won't design a spin-based consumer product.

Sorry i didnt make that clear, working on R&D for what will eventually become technologies used in a product. Not the actual product.

 

[Analog]

I am a prof in an EE program. My specialty is analog circuit design and signal processing. When you say 'semiconductors' I'm confused. Do you want to work as an IC designer? That is far different than an embedded circuit designer. In any case, I would recommend an EE degree as a general guideline, and then as a graduate student, you can hone in on a particular specialty as you learn what it takes, and what you're good at.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: Analog
I am a prof in an EE program. My specialty is analog circuit design and signal processing. When you say 'semiconductors' I'm confused. Do you want to work as an IC designer? That is far different than an embedded circuit designer. In any case, I would recommend an EE degree as a general guideline, and then as a graduate student, you can hone in on a particular specialty as you learn what it takes, and what you're good at.

ICs, not Embedded Systems.

What do you think about extra physics, a nanotech minor, or a materials engineering double major?

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: Analog
I am a prof in an EE program. My specialty is analog circuit design and signal processing. When you say 'semiconductors' I'm confused. Do you want to work as an IC designer? That is far different than an embedded circuit designer. In any case, I would recommend an EE degree as a general guideline, and then as a graduate student, you can hone in on a particular specialty as you learn what it takes, and what you're good at.

ICs, not Embedded Systems.

What do you think about extra physics, a nanotech minor, or a materials engineering double major?

yes on all accounts, depending upon what you enjoy. Think of a specialization area for grad school and talk to a prof who is doing research in that area.

 

[bignateyk]

If you are trying to get into the physics of it, EE is the way to go.

 

[Goosemaster]

informative thread🙂

 

[villageidiot111]

Check out NDSU, they have a great program for both EE and CompE

 

[Rogodin2]

This thread is very wonderful. I'm debating about the pursuit of a degree in EE and EDS.

Thanks for all the info!

I've a decent job now, but I want to be prepared with a better understanding.

Rogo

 

[Acanthus]

Fantastic info guys, ive decided to take EE over CompE.

My final decision on the MatE double major will hinge on the amount of extra time/workoad i have to take on to achieve it.

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

You can always learn programming and OS concepts on your own free-time. I suggest you take the EE route.

 

[jiggahertz]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: Special K
I work at one of the big CPU companies, although I have just begun my career. Here is my advice:

1. The actual degree you receive is not particularly important, although most will have either EE or CompE. What is important is the classes you take. Most EE and CompE programs feature or allow a great deal of overlap in the courses you can take, depending on how you choose your electives. If you want to go into semiconductor design, you should definitely take any classes related to computer architecture, VLSI design, logic design, and semiconductor device physics. Some people also take analog IC design, as we do have an analog group who works on those types of circuits.

2. I know most people say "your degree/school doesn't mean jack", however in my case it did. My company has a list of 10 schools that it does its preferred recruting from. That's not to say that it will be impossible to get in without a degree from one of these schools, but it is a lot easier to network when the company attends your school's career fair 😉 My undergrad school was not ranked particularly high for engineering, and none of the big semi companies came to our career fair. I later went to a top 10 EE school for grad school, and all of the semi companies were there recruiting. I interviewed with all of the big ones. So to summarize - your degree may not be the absolute deciding factor, but in my case it made a huge difference in being noticed by these companies.

3. If you decide to go to grad school for engineering, make sure you are getting paid to do it.

Great post, thanks for the info.

PSU is ranked in the top 10 for both EE and CompE last i checked.

I do plan on taking as many architecture courses as possible, even if i have to delay graduation to do so.

One thing i noticed, however, is that PSUs graduate program is just MA-Computer Science... Is it pretty much the same situation for the masters degree, just take the courses that pertain to where you want to work?

Apparently literally all computer science and computer engineering tracks are lumped under the same graduate degree at PSU.

Edit: paid to do it? As in pick up a job with the BS and get the employer to pay for the grad school?

Edit2: clarity

More like 20-25.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: jiggahertz

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: Special K
I work at one of the big CPU companies, although I have just begun my career. Here is my advice:

1. The actual degree you receive is not particularly important, although most will have either EE or CompE. What is important is the classes you take. Most EE and CompE programs feature or allow a great deal of overlap in the courses you can take, depending on how you choose your electives. If you want to go into semiconductor design, you should definitely take any classes related to computer architecture, VLSI design, logic design, and semiconductor device physics. Some people also take analog IC design, as we do have an analog group who works on those types of circuits.

2. I know most people say "your degree/school doesn't mean jack", however in my case it did. My company has a list of 10 schools that it does its preferred recruting from. That's not to say that it will be impossible to get in without a degree from one of these schools, but it is a lot easier to network when the company attends your school's career fair 😉 My undergrad school was not ranked particularly high for engineering, and none of the big semi companies came to our career fair. I later went to a top 10 EE school for grad school, and all of the semi companies were there recruiting. I interviewed with all of the big ones. So to summarize - your degree may not be the absolute deciding factor, but in my case it made a huge difference in being noticed by these companies.

3. If you decide to go to grad school for engineering, make sure you are getting paid to do it.

Great post, thanks for the info.

PSU is ranked in the top 10 for both EE and CompE last i checked.

I do plan on taking as many architecture courses as possible, even if i have to delay graduation to do so.

One thing i noticed, however, is that PSUs graduate program is just MA-Computer Science... Is it pretty much the same situation for the masters degree, just take the courses that pertain to where you want to work?

Apparently literally all computer science and computer engineering tracks are lumped under the same graduate degree at PSU.

Edit: paid to do it? As in pick up a job with the BS and get the employer to pay for the grad school?

Edit2: clarity

More like 20-25.

Yeah, I was going to comment on that as well. I don't think they are top 10, and I know they aren't among the schools we actively recruit from.

Again, that's not to say you don't have a chance, but like I said earlier, it's much easier to network when the company comes to your school.

 

[Parasitic]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Edit: paid to do it? As in pick up a job with the BS and get the employer to pay for the grad school?

Edit2: clarity

Doctoral students in science and engineering typically get a fellowship or stipend along with their admission offer (provided that they're good enough and the school wants them).

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: Parasitic

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Edit: paid to do it? As in pick up a job with the BS and get the employer to pay for the grad school?

Edit2: clarity

Doctoral students in science and engineering typically get a fellowship or stipend along with their admission offer (provided that they're good enough and the school wants them).

To be considered for funding, make sure to mark PhD as your final objective on the application. Saying you only want the MS is a sure way to not be considered for funding. Also, there is no obligation to stay for the PhD after getting your MS.

Some may say it is unethical to mark PhD when you know you only want the MS, but if you have any interest at all in research, then you might as well mark PhD on the application to be considered for funding.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: jiggahertz

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: Special K
I work at one of the big CPU companies, although I have just begun my career. Here is my advice:

1. The actual degree you receive is not particularly important, although most will have either EE or CompE. What is important is the classes you take. Most EE and CompE programs feature or allow a great deal of overlap in the courses you can take, depending on how you choose your electives. If you want to go into semiconductor design, you should definitely take any classes related to computer architecture, VLSI design, logic design, and semiconductor device physics. Some people also take analog IC design, as we do have an analog group who works on those types of circuits.

2. I know most people say "your degree/school doesn't mean jack", however in my case it did. My company has a list of 10 schools that it does its preferred recruting from. That's not to say that it will be impossible to get in without a degree from one of these schools, but it is a lot easier to network when the company attends your school's career fair 😉 My undergrad school was not ranked particularly high for engineering, and none of the big semi companies came to our career fair. I later went to a top 10 EE school for grad school, and all of the semi companies were there recruiting. I interviewed with all of the big ones. So to summarize - your degree may not be the absolute deciding factor, but in my case it made a huge difference in being noticed by these companies.

3. If you decide to go to grad school for engineering, make sure you are getting paid to do it.

Great post, thanks for the info.

PSU is ranked in the top 10 for both EE and CompE last i checked.

I do plan on taking as many architecture courses as possible, even if i have to delay graduation to do so.

One thing i noticed, however, is that PSUs graduate program is just MA-Computer Science... Is it pretty much the same situation for the masters degree, just take the courses that pertain to where you want to work?

Apparently literally all computer science and computer engineering tracks are lumped under the same graduate degree at PSU.

Edit: paid to do it? As in pick up a job with the BS and get the employer to pay for the grad school?

Edit2: clarity

More like 20-25.

Public.

No school is worth 40k+ a year (except maybe MIT).

 

[jiggahertz]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: jiggahertz

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: Special K
I work at one of the big CPU companies, although I have just begun my career. Here is my advice:

1. The actual degree you receive is not particularly important, although most will have either EE or CompE. What is important is the classes you take. Most EE and CompE programs feature or allow a great deal of overlap in the courses you can take, depending on how you choose your electives. If you want to go into semiconductor design, you should definitely take any classes related to computer architecture, VLSI design, logic design, and semiconductor device physics. Some people also take analog IC design, as we do have an analog group who works on those types of circuits.

2. I know most people say "your degree/school doesn't mean jack", however in my case it did. My company has a list of 10 schools that it does its preferred recruting from. That's not to say that it will be impossible to get in without a degree from one of these schools, but it is a lot easier to network when the company attends your school's career fair 😉 My undergrad school was not ranked particularly high for engineering, and none of the big semi companies came to our career fair. I later went to a top 10 EE school for grad school, and all of the semi companies were there recruiting. I interviewed with all of the big ones. So to summarize - your degree may not be the absolute deciding factor, but in my case it made a huge difference in being noticed by these companies.

3. If you decide to go to grad school for engineering, make sure you are getting paid to do it.

Great post, thanks for the info.

PSU is ranked in the top 10 for both EE and CompE last i checked.

I do plan on taking as many architecture courses as possible, even if i have to delay graduation to do so.

One thing i noticed, however, is that PSUs graduate program is just MA-Computer Science... Is it pretty much the same situation for the masters degree, just take the courses that pertain to where you want to work?

Apparently literally all computer science and computer engineering tracks are lumped under the same graduate degree at PSU.

Edit: paid to do it? As in pick up a job with the BS and get the employer to pay for the grad school?

Edit2: clarity

More like 20-25.

Public.

No school is worth 40k+ a year (except maybe MIT).

Haha, no one cares if they're public or private. I find it hard to believe even that's true since they're probably ranked 7th in the big ten behind UofI, Purdue, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and OSU.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: jiggahertz

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: jiggahertz

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: Special K
I work at one of the big CPU companies, although I have just begun my career. Here is my advice:

1. The actual degree you receive is not particularly important, although most will have either EE or CompE. What is important is the classes you take. Most EE and CompE programs feature or allow a great deal of overlap in the courses you can take, depending on how you choose your electives. If you want to go into semiconductor design, you should definitely take any classes related to computer architecture, VLSI design, logic design, and semiconductor device physics. Some people also take analog IC design, as we do have an analog group who works on those types of circuits.

2. I know most people say "your degree/school doesn't mean jack", however in my case it did. My company has a list of 10 schools that it does its preferred recruting from. That's not to say that it will be impossible to get in without a degree from one of these schools, but it is a lot easier to network when the company attends your school's career fair 😉 My undergrad school was not ranked particularly high for engineering, and none of the big semi companies came to our career fair. I later went to a top 10 EE school for grad school, and all of the semi companies were there recruiting. I interviewed with all of the big ones. So to summarize - your degree may not be the absolute deciding factor, but in my case it made a huge difference in being noticed by these companies.

3. If you decide to go to grad school for engineering, make sure you are getting paid to do it.

Great post, thanks for the info.

PSU is ranked in the top 10 for both EE and CompE last i checked.

I do plan on taking as many architecture courses as possible, even if i have to delay graduation to do so.

One thing i noticed, however, is that PSUs graduate program is just MA-Computer Science... Is it pretty much the same situation for the masters degree, just take the courses that pertain to where you want to work?

Apparently literally all computer science and computer engineering tracks are lumped under the same graduate degree at PSU.

Edit: paid to do it? As in pick up a job with the BS and get the employer to pay for the grad school?

Edit2: clarity

More like 20-25.

Public.

No school is worth 40k+ a year (except maybe MIT).

Haha, no one cares if they're public or private. I find it hard to believe even that's true since they're probably ranked 7th in the big ten behind UofI, Purdue, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and OSU.

My wallet cares, without a scholarship or other assistance private is completely out of the question. Im talking about EE and CompE specifically, not the overall engineering program. The information is readily available. Go look it up. This thread isnt about the merits of public and private schools however. So PM me.

Lets keep the relevant info flowing.