<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>