Electrical Engineering or Computer Science- How to choose your major.

With technology becoming a critical and integral part of how we live, work, and interact electrical and computer engineering are at the forefront of creating some of the world’s finest technologies. Students often face the dilemma of whether to pursue electrical engineering or computer science. Both fields offer rewarding opportunities to design, build, and innovate technology systems and products. Since both these fields have rewarding careers, they significantly require different skill sets for the specialization that students want to pursue. This blog delves into the similarities and differences between these two fields focusing on the 

Electrical engineering  focuses on physical devices and systems, including circuits, electronics, electromagnetics, and communication technologies. Electrical engineering is about hardware

Computer Science is the study of computer and computational systems.  From algorithms that makeup software and how software interacts with hardware to how software is designed and developed. Computer scientists deal predominantly with software.

Coursework

To gain fundamental Electrical Engineering knowledge Students explore diverse topics through courses like:

• Electronic Circuits
• Power Circuits & Electromechanics
• Fields and Waves 
• Semiconductor Electronics
• Digital Logic Design
• Electromagnetic Fields and Waves

These subjects prepare students for careers in areas such as electronics, manufacturing, power generation etc.

Computer science focuses on algorithms, data structures, and software development. Core courses include:

• Introduction to Programming
• Database Systems
• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Operating Systems
• Software Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Networks

Students pursuing CS are equipped with the abilities to create software applications, design computer systems, and tackle complex computational challenges.

Overlapping Courses

Additionally, while both these majors are distinctly different, they do share some common foundational courses that enhance their common technical base.

• Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists
• Physics for Engineers
• Introduction to Digital Systems
• Computer Architecture

These foundational subjects ensure students acquire a solid understanding of essential engineering and computing principles.

New Courses in Electrical and Computer Science in U.S. Universities

With boundaries blurring between EE and CS, it is not uncommon for electrical engineers or computer scientists to perform some of the tasks of a computer engineer and vice-versa. Recognizing the overlap between these two subjects, most colleges and universities in the U.S.  are offering courses that provide students the opportunity to garner knowledge from both these courses. Hence the Electrical and Computer Engineering, B.S. at New York University teaches students everything from chip design, wireless, software engineering, bioelectronics, and cybersecurity, to robotics, power, electronics, and networking. 

MIT’s EECS, exposes students from “foundational hardware and software systems, to cutting-edge machine learning models and computational methods to address critical societal problems, our work changes the world.”

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)  is one of the leading departments at the University of Michigan where two departmental divisions: Computer Science and Engineering; and Electrical and Computer Engineering, provide impactful education.

At Stanford, it is common for faculty members of these two departments to be jointly appointed, which further shows the deep interconnectedness of the two courses.  

Students must research each university’s website to get a clear understanding of the course structure before applying.

Some of the careers for Electrical Engineering graduates are found on career platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Indeed) and engineering associations (e.g., IEEE, ASME).

1. Power Engineer: Designs, operates, and maintains systems that generate, transmit, and distribute electrical power.
2. Electronics Engineer: Develops and designs electronic systems, circuits, and devices for various applications.
3. Robotics Engineer: Creates, tests, and implements robotic systems and automation solutions.
4. Renewable Energy Engineer: Focuses on designing and optimizing systems for sustainable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro.
5. Electrical Engineer: Works on the design, development, and testing of electrical equipment and systems.
6. Instrumentation Engineer: Designs, develops, and manages devices that monitor and control systems and processes.
7. Telecommunications Engineer: Designs and maintains communication systems, including wireless networks, satellite systems, and data transmission.
8. Electrical Design Engineer: Creates detailed designs and layouts for electrical systems used in various applications.

Computer Science Careers

Computer scientists work in diverse areas such as software development, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Common roles include:

• Software Engineer: Designs, develops, tests, and maintains software systems and applications.
• Mobile App Developer: Specializes in creating apps for mobile devices, focusing on functionality, design, and user experience.
• Cybersecurity Analyst: Protects systems, networks, and data from cyber threats through monitoring, analysis, and implementation of security measures.
• Artificial Intelligence Specialist: Develops AI systems and algorithms to enable machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.
• Data Scientist: Analyzes and interprets complex data to extract insights and support decision-making.
• Cloud Computing Engineer: Designs and manages cloud-based infrastructure and services for scalable and secure storage and computing.
• Web Developer: Builds and maintains websites, ensuring functionality, performance, and a seamless user experience.
• Game Developer: Creates and programs video games, focusing on gameplay mechanics, graphics, and user interaction.
• Machine Learning Engineer: Develops algorithms and models that enable machines to learn and improve performance without explicit programming.
• Blockchain Developer: Designs and builds decentralized applications and systems using blockchain technology.Should I Study Computer Science? | Ivy Central

Recommendations for Choosing Between Majors

Hardware vs Software: Assess your interest in these two functions, since EE has more to do with electrical systems and circuits, and CS has more of software development and programming. Ask yourself questions: Do you want to understand how electronic devices work? How often do you tinker with devices at home to fix something? Can you spend endless hours working with devices? If the answer is Yes, then perhaps EE is the right course for you. However, if you are inclined towards coding, software applications, and creating apps then you’re leaning more toward CS.

Abstract vs Applied: Electrical Engineering involves working with complex mathematical models and theories to design and analyze electrical systems whereas CS is more focussed on problem-solving and practical applications. If you like hands-on projects where you are building software solutions to real-world problems then CS is a great fit but if you prefer applying theoretical concepts to solve real-world problems, the EE might be a good choice for you.

Theory vs Hands-On Learning: Often ignored, your preferred learning style can be crucial in deciding which of the fields you would thrive in. If you prefer reading and visual learning,  you might like the Electrical Engineering programs, as they often emphasize theoretical knowledge, requiring a strong foundation in mathematics and physics. CS programs certainly have a more hands-on approach. Hence if you are a kinesthetic learner and enjoy coding assignments, programming projects, and practical problem-solving, CS might be better suited for you.

Please note that these are general recommendations and depend largely on your interests and goals. Doing projects while in school or job shadowing will enable you to get a better understanding of the requirements of these two fields.

Skills Engineering Graduate Must Have for a Successful Career | Ivy Central

Conclusion

In summary, both these courses have great potential as they have rewarding technology careers. It is important that you research and ultimately choose what matches your talent and interest.