<p>I am currently doing a double major in physics/EE. I am looking to change to a double major in physics/comp sci, because I dont like engineering. I feel that engineering is like grunt work, not requiring as much intellect as computer scientists. I will also graduate a year earlier if I change my major. Is it wise to change my major? Will computer science be more theoretical or challenging than EE?</p>
<p>P.S. Physics/EE is a 5 yrs course, where as physics/CS is 4 years.</p>
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I vehemently disagree with that. If you are still in your first 2 years, then yes it’s going to feel like grunt work. You have to build a foundation before you get into more complex and more interesting things.</p>
<p>Anyways, I am not here to change your mind. Both paths have an abundance of career choices. Thus, you should do what you enjoy the most.</p>
<p>It depends on what your CS required courses are. For example, if there is a Theoretical Computation/Artificial Intelligence track than it would be more mathematical in nature. CS can also focus on more engineering topics such as computer engineering.</p>
<p>What do you plan on doing with your Physics/CS double major?</p>
<p>Can you please highlight the difference between computer science and electrical engineering.</p>
<p>The way I understand it is that Computer science is mathematics/logic being implemented on computers, writing programs and such, whereas EE is applied physics in the areas of circuits, networks, nano, communications, etc. From my understanding comp sci would be more theoretical than EE, and thus harder. However, having looked through this board, most people seems to disagree that CS is harder than EE. Any comments?</p>
<p>P.S. These are the comp sci subjects I have taken or will take in my course of study:
433-171 Introduction to Programming
433-172 Algorithmic Problem Solving
433-330 Theory of Computation
433-380 Graphics and Computation
433-254 Software Design 2
433-303 Artificial Intelligence
433-361 Programming Language Implementation
433-253 Algorithms and Data Structures
433-255 Logic and Computation
433-252 Software Engineering Principles & Tools</p>
<p>frankie38 -</p>
<p>I chose a double major since it is possible to do so, and still graduate in time as if you were doing a single major. For me, it was a question of “why not?”. Also, I enjoy physics very much, but as I understand, the job market is very limited, so it would be safer for me to do two majors.</p>
<p>You are correct in saying that EE is applying principles of physics, chemistry, and mathematics to solve real world problems. While the definition of Computer Science is “the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their implementation and application in computer systems”, most CS programs I have seen have a large practical component. I think most people here will agree that EE is more difficult than CS.</p>
<p>What is it, you think, that makes EE such a hard major?</p>
<p>I have taken some EE classes and I had found them to be some of the easiest classes I have taken (compared to physics and computing classes). I just dont understand why people on CC keeps saying how hard EE is.</p>
<p>I think it’s a bit premature to say it’s easy before you’ve taken some of the higher level classes. What EE classes have you taken? But in the end, it really doesn’t matter what anyone says, if you enjoy a subject more, then you should get into it more.</p>
<p>I have taken Electrical Circuits, Fundamentals of signal processing, and digital systems.</p>
<p>Well let me tell me my experience in undergrad, note this may or may not apply to you. I’ve always thought I was pretty smart, that is, until I got to college (now I think I’m only slightly better than the average idiot). I’ve never studied in HS and made mostly all A’s. So I thought I could just ride on that through college. The first few engineering classes were not very difficult, so I continued goofing off. Then I hit a wall, I believe it was Statics, I made a 43 on the first test. That’s when I decided I need to either get my act together, or drop out of engineering. (I ended up making a 90 on the final, which was the 2nd highest grade in the class. But I digress.) The point is, if you did well without much effort in HS, chances are, the first few engineering classes won’t be too difficult for you. But believe me, there are much harder classes beyond the first few. </p>
<p>Of course, you could be one of the very few insanely smart people. I’ve seen one. Even the last semester of senior year, it didn’t seem like he needed to put in much effort. If you are one of those people, then everything is easy for you and can’t be compared to us mere mortals :)</p>
<p>OK. You are concerned about the job market. Which one? What job/career/industry/compnay would you be interested in.</p>
<p>Maybe a Physics/Language(fill your choice), Physics/accounting(or other business), Physic/ Applied Math (actuarial) may be useful than just physics. It all depends on what you want to do. In what context should the physics/cs degree be evaluated?</p>
<p>BTW: I disagree that EE is more difficult major than CS. I think that the perception is that EE requires more work, HW, study than CS. However, I think that it is a misperception.</p>
<p>I thought advanced calc, diff equations, etc. was a lot easier than my theory of computation class.</p>
<p>i dont think EE is more difficult than CS either.</p>
<p>"OK. You are concerned about the job market. Which one? What job/career/industry/compnay would you be interested in.</p>
<p>Maybe a Physics/Language(fill your choice), Physics/accounting(or other business), Physic/ Applied Math (actuarial) may be useful than just physics. It all depends on what you want to do. In what context should the physics/cs degree be evaluated?"</p>
<p>-I plan to be either a theoretical computer scientist/programmer, or a theoretical/mathematical physicist. The thing is I love maths, especially in the context of computer science and physics. I do not know which one to be since both paths seems very interesting to me. I do not know which path to choose at the moment but I hope I will make up my mind before applying to graduate school.</p>
<p>If you like Math…then pursue that. Plus, there are practical applications of math in the business world such as actuarial science and financial modelling. </p>
<p>You can probably figure out how to code if you really needed too, without majoring in CS.</p>
<p>I think a lot of the difficulty of EE is on the high end with a lot of the controller type stuff. Maybe I’m wrong though, I’m not an EE.</p>
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<p>I don’t agree.</p>
<p>Dissenting opinions are certainly welcome. But I think it is more helpful to state why that is the way it is in your experience rather than simply making a statement.</p>
<p>As for my own personal experience, I have taken numerous CS classes both in undergrad and in grad school, as my focus is primary computer architecture. I’ve found my CS classes to be challenging but not as difficult as some of my E E classes. I have also had roommates who were CS majors, and found that they did not spend as much time studying as I did. Lastly, the prevalent view around the engineering school is that EE is more difficult, at least in the schools that I have attended. </p>
<p>However, I would like to say that depending the electives one chooses to take, the difficulty of either could rise or fall, so there is a large degree of variability there. One who chooses more difficult CS electives can certainly have a harder time than one who chooses easier EE classes</p>
<p>I think we are talking about this from different aspects. When you say EE is more difficult than CS, you compare the courses offered at some schools, the EE courses are probably somewhat harder than CS courses; when I say that I don’t believe EE is harder than CS, I mean to reach a very high level in CS field is not easier than in EE field.</p>
<p>This is your problem: “I have taken Electrical Circuits, Fundamentals of signal processing, and digital systems.”</p>
<p>You have taken 1 EE course, the signal processing and digital systems are more Computer Engineering courese (hybrid of EE and CS).</p>
<p>I am a EE (BSE and MSE) converted to BME. I started off as a CS student but hated it (I don’t like programming, and as a programmer at my job (I am working as a CS for the most part), I can tell you that it is mostly ‘mindless grunt work’ as you invisioned EE work being).</p>
<p>Why is EE harder? Because there is great theory to understand before you can apply it. If you want to take REAL EE courses, try taking semiconductor physics, emag theory, advanced analog/digital circuit design, RF circuits, mirowave circuits, etc…</p>
<p>But what really is the point of knowing only one subject and not having a good broad knowledge of other fields? What good is a CS major without understanding the underlying physical hardware that the software will interact with (assuming embedded projects)? What good is a EE major without a profound understanding of the material that is used in the circuitry and sensors?</p>
<p>I got into a hybrid Engineering subject called MEMS (Micro Electrical-MEchanical Systems) aka microsystems (and nanosystems) which really combines Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering with Physics and Material Science (because the materials used are so critical and important and at the micro-scale, the physics is so important in the transduction schemes/methods used). MEMS is a really fascinating topic and is real engineering as far as I’m concerned because you are not confined to a “field of specialty.” I am getting a Masters in Bio-MEMS right now, which is MEMS aimed for Biomedical applications. I have learned all the processing techniques that required me to learn Chemical Engineering. I have learned all of the material properties of the materials used in MEMS which required me to learn Material Science Engineering. Many applications in Bio-MEMS requires fluidic mechanics knowledge as well as thermal properties and applications (micro-PCR devices, etc…) and mechanical transduction techniques (pressure & force sensors) which require me to understand the mechanical realm. Of course all of the signal processing and electrical circuitry requires a EE/CE background. I have also needed to learn the Biology that these devices will interact with.</p>
<p>MEMS is definitely a very interesting multi-discplinary topic. My secondary focus is also MEMS (primary is Computer Architecture). I didn’t plan on it, just kind of fell into it after taking a microelectronics fabrication class which had a large MEMS component, and found myself liking the the subject.</p>