computer science / engineering

[Venom]

This year I will be applying for uni and I'm SO confused. Not sure what to apply for, computer science or engineering (mechanical).

I'm sure there are many of you here who are studying these subjects so I thought I might ask you for advice. What kind of jobs are offered with these degrees and what to expect at uni? I thought I'd rather ask someone who experienced it then search UCAS pages and so on.

thanks

[Ciro Pabón]

Venom, I believe I understand you. Let me tell you I did both: I graduated on the "basics" (that is civil engineering for me) and, after that, I got an MSc on highways and later on computer science. I simply could not decide. I'm glad I didn't: the field for work is a little wider when you have "both" abilities.

I am not sure if where you live there is a "glut" of computing science graduates, but I see that in some places.

[flynfrog]

there is a huge differnce between com sci and mech e

but you do decied what you like to do

if hours of coding with no end in site intrest you do com sci and no you wont get to make video games

an me is more divers but may hours will be spend in a cubicle doing calcs and you probly wont get to desing race cars after you graduate

[Venom]

I swear I was expecting more replys than this.

Thank you Ciro Pabón and flynfrog.

[theSuit]

Where you thinking of going? Engineering degrees seem to vary a lot in style and content.

My instinct is to say that you're better off with eng, because so long as you're at the right place you'll be able to go down a reasonably computer orientated route.

Comp-sci will force to to work through lots of very low level computer theory stuff - I'd guess that it's the opposite approach from engineering where the real world objective is much more the first thing in your mind.

But - big caveat - it will really depend on the program where you're at.

[randomperson]

Wow, I'm actually having the exact same problem. I can't decide either. Ever time I think I've made up my mind, I switch back again. I seem to like both, but I can't figure out which one I'd like to do as a job. I would also appreciate anyone who works in either field to offer some comment.

[f1.redbaron]

This year I will be applying for uni and I'm SO confused. Not sure what to apply for, computer science or engineering (mechanical).

I'm sure there are many of you here who are studying these subjects so I thought I might ask you for advice. What kind of jobs are offered with these degrees and what to expect at uni? I thought I'd rather ask someone who experienced it then search UCAS pages and so on.

thanks

Just wondering...computer science or computer engineering?

It all depends on what YOU want to do in life. Either one opens a lot of doors.

Here's what I'd do...call the university you plan to attend and tell them your situation. They will help you figure out what to do. If they can't, have them put you in some kind of an universal engineering program (this is designed specifically for people like you - people who don't know what discipline to choose). What this means is that you might have to take on a bigger course load (i.e. different programs require different courses, and they might force you to take on courses for both computer and mech. engineering...keep in mind that we're talking about only a few courses throughout that school year, that can be made up during a summer in a worst case scenario).

What kind of money/jobs can you expect to get? Nobody knows! You might be lucky that, right upon graduation, you get into a very strong company...on the other hand, you might be unlucky and be forced to flip burgers for a year or so, trying to find a job. This is the situation with every student (I know people from both columns).

Also, keep in mind that in a pursuit of that well-paying job, you WILL, most likely, have to move!

Good luck.

P.S. If you have any questions you feel I can help you with (I just started a Mech. Eng. program), let me know.

[JimmyK]

if hours of coding with no end in site intrest you do com sci and no you wont get to make video games

Interesting, I always thought it was really more to do with maths and logic. I'm interested in Computer Science. Most of the courses seem to offer you to choose for yourself what type of topics you wish to cover.

Obviously if you go down some roads there's a helluva lot of programming. I think I can avoid most of it though. I'm sticking to the more mathematical modules.

[West]

I had to wait half a year before I got a decent job, after graduating w/ ME. It wasn't even ME related - just bug testing. The only "engineering" factor was that my supervisor used to be a Civil Engineer. That and it was for an aerospace company, thank goodness.

I highly doubt I'd go into the engineering industry, as there are few opportunities in San Diego and I don't particularly like leaving Southern California.

[f1.redbaron]

I highly doubt I'd go into the engineering industry, as there are few opportunities in San Diego and I don't particularly like leaving Southern California.

That is exactly why I said that he will most likely have to move! Those people who found it hard to move were the ones who had difficulties finding a local job in their field. Actually, one of the guys I know was married and had baby on the way...eventually he realized that the place where he lived was such a sh*tty area to find the job in his field that he finally gave up and took a job some 400km away from where he was born and spend the 24 1/2 years of his life.

I, personally, don't find it that difficult to move. I was born in Canada, lived in Europe for a couple of years, came back to Canada, moved within Canada once, and am now in the States. Only this time I moved to the place close to my former company HQ...However, I too, sometimes get tired of the very though of moving...