Course content throughout our undergraduate programs is delivered through lectures, in cutting-edge laboratory facilities, in team-based projects, through early design experience, and through a co-op option.
What is the difference between Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering?
Great question, and we are glad you asked! While electrical engineering and computer engineering share many similarities, they are two distinct fields. Computer Engineering is a discipline that is focused on developing computing systems. The goal of the Computer Engineering program is to develop in students an ability to design complete systems that include hardware and software elements. Computer Engineers focus not just on how computers work but how to integrate them into larger systems.
There is a some overlap between Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering and this overlap is typically related to the design of digital circuits and systems. Electrical Engineering is more broadly concerned with electronic devices, electrical motors and machines, generation and transmission of electricity, communications, signal processing, and control of such systems. As you can imagine, Electrical Engineering is an incredibly vast area! A computer engineer should understand how a transistor works and how it plays a role in digital circuits but questions related to improving the behavior of the electronics is mostly an electrical engineering activity.
Both degrees are incredibly rewarding and can lead to a large variety of opportunities, so choosing which one is best for you depends on your personal interest!
Why is Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering combined into the same department?
Students in both fields take many of the same core courses. Computer Engineering is focused on the development of computing systems, and this naturally involves both hardware and software. Since there is overlap between the two programs, having them combined into one department makes it easier for students to learn from their peers and relevant instructors, seek advising, register into courses, and switch between programs, if desired. Students can also choose to enter the Biomedical Engineering option in our department, which is another related branch of engineering that is highly sought-after.
I know which program I want to apply for in ECE! How do I apply?
