4 answers
Samuel
Student
Paterson, New Jersey
6
Questions
Updated
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What are the key basics to computer engineering?
I know computer engineering does include more than computers but I have built a computer in the past.
Are we getting in depth of what certain parts do(motherboard, cpu, RAM, etc) and how to build them?
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4 answers
Mickael Rosenberg
Software Engineer
261
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Mickael’s Answer
Hi Samuel,
Engineering usually means designing, improving so yes, it is more than just known how to plug two things together and push the "on" button.
Hardware engineering requires knowledge in electric/electronic to be able to design better boards, better batteries, less consumption, faster, bigger etc. ... This is not about plugin a RAM on the motherboard, this is designing new RAMs :)
Same goes with software Engineering.
There are times when Engineers also do that work as well. In the software part especially, software engineers do design but also code, a lot. If you want to be a good software engineer, you need to know how computers and operating systems work in order to understand how your program works and how to write some efficient code.
Engineering usually means designing, improving so yes, it is more than just known how to plug two things together and push the "on" button.
Hardware engineering requires knowledge in electric/electronic to be able to design better boards, better batteries, less consumption, faster, bigger etc. ... This is not about plugin a RAM on the motherboard, this is designing new RAMs :)
Same goes with software Engineering.
There are times when Engineers also do that work as well. In the software part especially, software engineers do design but also code, a lot. If you want to be a good software engineer, you need to know how computers and operating systems work in order to understand how your program works and how to write some efficient code.
Thank you, Mickael!
Samuel
Kit T
5
Answers
Updated
Kit’s Answer
First do make sure you are clear in whether you want to work on software or hardware. Very different areas with very different skill sets.
If its hardware, then do look at the course outline of a course you want to do to see the exact subjects you will do, that will give you a good idea of what will get covered. If you are interested in RAM, CPU etc. design then you will find relevant areas in computer engineering, electronics engineering, physics departments.
If its software then there are many areas with computer science being a being a good broad base. I would encourage not to overspecialize unless you really really know what you want to do. At the end all knowledge you learn will not be as critical as the attitude, problem solving and experience you bring to the table.
If its hardware, then do look at the course outline of a course you want to do to see the exact subjects you will do, that will give you a good idea of what will get covered. If you are interested in RAM, CPU etc. design then you will find relevant areas in computer engineering, electronics engineering, physics departments.
If its software then there are many areas with computer science being a being a good broad base. I would encourage not to overspecialize unless you really really know what you want to do. At the end all knowledge you learn will not be as critical as the attitude, problem solving and experience you bring to the table.
Rodrigo Maya Padilla
DFS OPS ANALYST
73
Answers
Toluca, State of Mexico, Mexico
Updated
Rodrigo’s Answer
Hi Samuel
computer engineering involves hardware and software, and maybe you can investigate more about in the next, but you have to love coding and technology, and to always be updated
AI designer/developer.
Business Systems Analyst.
Client Support Representative.
Computer Engineer.
Computer Security Analyst.
Database Developer.
Hardware Systems Designer.
computer engineering involves hardware and software, and maybe you can investigate more about in the next, but you have to love coding and technology, and to always be updated
AI designer/developer.
Business Systems Analyst.
Client Support Representative.
Computer Engineer.
Computer Security Analyst.
Database Developer.
Hardware Systems Designer.
Thank you so much for the advice.
Samuel
Elliot Jordan
Web Developer
76
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Elliot’s Answer
Samuel, you may want to do a bit of research to find out more about this deep field. You would certainly learn all about the components you mentioned but you'll also go much deeper into computing hardware, software, and theory of each. You'll learn about microprocessors and compilers, and operating systems, Networking, Security, Gaming, Database and other areas. If you can try to eventually determine what interests you. But this may not become clear until after you've completed a full program. There's always grad school!
Right now I would simply explore the field by using Google and searching "Computer Engineering" and starting there. By the way, do you like math? It helps!
Right now I would simply explore the field by using Google and searching "Computer Engineering" and starting there. By the way, do you like math? It helps!