Is computer science harder than engineering? (2024)

FAQs

Is computer science harder than engineering? ›

Some people may find computer science easier because it involves more abstract thinking, programming, and algorithm design, while others may find engineering easier because it involves more hands-on, applied problem-solving.

My personal experience as well as observing others is that EE curriculum is "harder" in two aspects. First, EE students seem to have a more difficult time grasping advanced EE concepts than CS students do grasping advanced CS concept. Secondly, EE students spend more time in the lab working on projects.

The difficulty of computer science versus software engineering is subjective and depends on individual strengths and interests. Computer science often involves more theoretical concepts and mathematical foundations, which can make it seem more challenging if you're naturally strong in those areas.

The short answer is “yes.” Search any list of majors to study, and you'll likely find that computer science tops the list as one of the most challenging disciplines to learn. Compared to other fields of study, pursuing a career in computer science requires both technical and analytical skill sets.

While civil and industrial engineering are said to be 'easier' — with chemical, biomedical, and aerospace engineering on the opposite end of the spectrum of difficulty — it is crucial to prioritize personal interest and aptitude over the perceived difficulty of various majors.

Computer Science is offered by the College of Science as opposed to the other two, and so it involves more math courses and is more theoretical than the engineering programs. This means no courses on circuits, but more on programming and the theory behind it. This means a lot more math.

Are there any other reasons that Computer Science is considered hard? Computer Science requires extreme attention to detail, a really good memory, an ability to think abstractly, and the use of creativity and intuition. Students can learn to do all of these things with sufficient time and practice.

1) Chemical Engineering

Novik's list ranks chemical engineering as the hardest major in this field. This might be because chemical engineers' unique training involves concepts from across many other STEM disciplines, including chemistry, biology, math, and physics.

Because math is a foundational part of computer systems, every programmer and computer scientist needs to have basic mathematical knowledge. The type and level of math you need depends on what areas of computer science you want to work in. Some computer science career tracks require only minimal mathematical knowledge.

Is computer science oversaturated? ›

Experts Say No. Computer science and tech are far from oversaturated and the need for computer science skills will only continue to grow in tandem with the world's reliance on technology. Pretty much every area of technology is poised to expand because our cultural reliance on technology is expanding so fast.

Deciding which degree is right for you will ultimately come down to your natural inclination and aptitude. While both degrees deal with theory and application, computer science is more focused on computer software, whereas computer engineering deals more with computer and related hardware.

Computer Science and Information Technology degrees have one of the highest dropout rates of all university subjects. Research shows that computer science has a 9.8% non-completion rate compared to medical sciences, with a dropout rate of approximately 1.5%.

It's crucial to comprehend internet, communication, software engineering, hardware, and computer systems. Knowledge of actual programming is also essential. Time for an allusion: Earning an A or A* in Computer Science can be challenging, but not impossible, like building a spacecraft out of toothpicks.

Deciding which degree is right for you will ultimately come down to your natural inclination and aptitude. While both degrees deal with theory and application, computer science is more focused on computer software, whereas computer engineering deals more with computer and related hardware.

Which pays more, computer science or computer engineering? It depends on your title, but both career tracks have high earning potential. According to the BLS, the median pay for computer and information research scientists as of May 2022 was $136,620. Computer hardware engineers earned $132,360.

Background: Like any other engineering degree, Computer Science Engineering also involves maths, physics, and chemistry with a lot of emphasis on information technology which makes it one of the most challenging fields to pursue.

No, computer engineering and computer science are not the same. In the simplest terms: computer engineers work with firmware and hardware, while computer scientists innovate complex software systems, machine learning based algorithms, and more.