Computer Enginnering

[Qua Sar]

Hey i think i want to do computer enginnering when i grow up (for college) but im' not totally sure partially becuae i haven't tried it is there a way to try it maybe like a simple project..... ?

 

[imgod2u]

Make a counter, the hello world of hardware. Go to your local electronic shop and get a few discrete chips (and & or gates) and a breadboard and some wires and have at it. I assume you know stuff about digital design like k-maps.

 

[Mday]

Originally posted by: L1nVx
Hey i think i want to do computer enginnering when i grow up (for college) but im' not totally sure partially becuae i haven't tried it is there a way to try it maybe like a simple project..... ?

A nice step would be learning how to spell engineering.

What makes you want to become a computer engineer?

 

[Qua Sar]

Well I love computers and how they work and working w/ my hands ahd electronics.

 

[sao123]

I really hate when people confuse computer jobs and degrees...
When I taught at Penn State for 2 semesters... Two of my students complained that they weren't taught how to build computers in Comp Sci or Comp Eng...
So Lets get this staight right out of the gate... here are the proper computer job terminology...

Computer Engineers - design faster and better hardware, microprocessors, memory, transistors, digital circuits, etc... Borderline Electrical Engineer

Computer Science - (Software Engineers) - Develop software using programming languages to run on the computers.

Information Technologists - Take hardware pieces and assemble them into computers, networks, servers, and then install, and maintain those systems including Hardware, OS & Software.
Subcategories: Database Administrator, Nework Engineer, Domain Administrator, PC Specialist,... etc.

It sounds like you might like to be the third one.

 

[Qua Sar]

Originally posted by: sao123
I really hate when people confuse computer jobs and degrees...
When I taught at Penn State for 2 semesters... Two of my students complained that they weren't taught how to build computers in Comp Sci or Comp Eng...
So Lets get this staight right out of the gate... here are the proper computer job terminology...

Computer Engineers - design faster and better hardware, microprocessors, memory, transistors, digital circuits, etc... Borderline Electrical Engineer

Computer Science - (Software Engineers) - Develop software using programming languages to run on the computers.

Information Technologists - Take hardware pieces and assemble them into computers, networks, servers, and then install, and maintain those systems including Hardware, OS & Software.
Subcategories: Database Administrator, Nework Engineer, Domain Administrator, PC Specialist,... etc.

It sounds like you might like to be the third one.

No i want to be the first one and i know what they all are and have done all of'em (not job wise but like classes in school) except compmuter engineer i did put in a suggestion on having a class on that though so we'll see.

 

[sao123]

Ok good you know the difference...

Well I love computers and how they work and working w/ my hands ahd electronics.

Except that, very little of Computer engineering is hands on electronics...
Mostly done with circuit builder software and hardware simulation software and then stamped with a silicon fab. its not like the stuff you do in your EE lab.

 

[Qua Sar]

can you explain more?

 

[CycloWizard]

I would submit that most most computer engineers end up doing programming (read: every comp eng I know, which is quite a few). Relatively few end up working in hardware, because most hardware is becoming programmable. Almost all computer engineers go in liking 'computers' and come out disenchanted with them once they understand how they work. Liking something is not a good reason to go into its related engineering aspect. This is why I went into chemical eng instead of computer eng - I never liked chemicals, so I lost nothing when I learned all about them. Now I still like learning about computers and can do some programming/hardware building on occasion.

 

[Qua Sar]

circuit builder software and hardware simulation


what do you mean by that..... tho like are you saying they just ..... ?

EDIT: Also with the 2nd thing (computer science (Software)) that wouldn't be a bad idea but i'm not very good at programming... im' gonna keep trying eventually but i'm just not good right now and the 3rd one i just have no interest in building say a network and mainting it.... it's fun to do but not as a job.

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: L1nVx
can you explain more?

The circuits inside microprocessors are as small as just a few hundred atoms wide.
There are so many wires and paths and transistors.... The green board you see when you insert a motherboard has something like 15 layers. Hardly devices you can assemble or design by hand.

Most circuits are designed & tested with software such as OrCad Software Suites

 

[sao123]

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You can even request a demo version for yourself.

 

[Qua Sar]

I'll check it out... the program is to test and virtually build? .... i know i sound dumb haha....

 

[sao123]

Correct (build then test.)

 

[Qua Sar]

so basicaly suming up what you guys said is that computer engineers basicaly more virtualy build it and test it then something else builds it sine ther's so many layers etc. etc.

 

[dmw16]

I know a few computer engineering majors and they do more programming than anything else. If you want to do hardware design you should probably major in electrical engineering and skew your classes towards logic circuits and stuff. Where I go to school the EE's get to pick their upper level classes based on a concentration.

 

[Qua Sar]

that's an idea... Well i have plenty of time to decide and i'm sure i'll talk to computer people along the way

 

[Qua Sar]

I shouldn't blow my brains out now or i'll go crazy ... even tho i'm a senior and need to pick a college heh...

 

[sao123]

Programming is a large part of microprosessors

you have to understand programming to build something that runs a program.

 

[f95toli]

Originally posted by: L1nVx
so basicaly suming up what you guys said is that computer engineers basicaly more virtualy build it and test it then something else builds it sine ther's so many layers etc. etc.

Not exactly, no one "builds" microprocessors anymore. Once the "virtual design" (as you put it) is done the rest is done automatically by software, the software generates the "blueprints" for the actual IC.

 

[Ahkorishaan]

Currently a Comp. Engineering major, second year. The classes you'll be taking are a mix between a Comp Sci and and EE. You usually get to choose which way you want to go with it. I don't actually want to do any engineering or software development when I get out, but I do want to be in the tech industry. IIT is a waste of time because I know most of it already, and can more or less teach the first 2 years of it. I'm dual majoring in Comp Eng. and Technical Writing, I plan on being that highly paid guy who sits back and documents all that's going on. Or going ahead and getting my MBA and getting a management position at a tech company.

Comp. E is *not* the major you want if you plan on designing microprocessors, or chipsets for the big guys. You want to be a dual major EE and Physics (probably want to do a bit of study in thermodynamics, and Chemistry too) guy for that. As an EE, you'll likely find yourself designing chips for specialized systems in places like Pratt&Whitney, United Technologies Corp, and the like.

 

[Ahkorishaan]

-Sorry double posted-

 

[Qua Sar]

then whats' a computer engineering degree set you up for?

 

[pinion9]

Computer Science != programming only. Programming is a tool use by computer scientists (I am a computer scientist) Computer science is about logic, math, algorithms, etc. It is about the theoretical side of computing. Just because you aren't good at programming doesn't mean you won't be a good computer scientists. As a matter of fact, I was only forced to take 2 programming classes. As a matter of fact, most computer scientists don't program for a living because it is being outsourced. I currently am a PACS Administrator for a medium sized hospital making well over the normal starting salary for a computer scientists, and I don't write a lick of code. Computer science is a great way to go, especially if you love math and software.

 

[Qua Sar]

i like hardware and the way it works together and want to help develop/build etc. it .... particularly in the computer field (develop graphic cards w/e etc. etc.)