What is computer engineering?

Since engineering is the application of the principles of basic science to the solving of problems within constraints (that is, building things!), computer engineering is engineering applied to computers and computer-based systems. In other words, computer engineers build computers such as PCs, workstations, and supercomputers. They also build computer-based systems such as those found in cars, planes, appliances, electronics, phones, communication networks, and many, many other products. Computer engineers typically design not only the hardware, but also much of the software in computer-based systems. ... more

Computer Engineering is the design and prototyping of computing devices and systems. While sharing much history and many areas of interest with Computer Science, Computer Engineering concentrates its effort on the ways in which computing ideas are mapped into working physical systems. Emerging equally from the disciplines of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering rests on the intellectual foundations of these disciplines, the basic physical sciences and mathematics. ... more

Of the 14 branches of engineering tracked by the United States Department of Labor, computer engineering has grown the fastest over the past two decades. Once confined to university laboratories and big companies, computers have permeated our everyday lives over the last two decades. Computer engineers create objects and services that today's consumers often take for granted. Specifically, they design, construct, and test the computer systems that keep us going. It's not unusual to find a computer engineer involved in everything from cars to toasters. Computer engineering was originally a branch of the larger specialty of electrical engineering, since early computers required engineers to physically install tubes and solder connections. In the past few decades, however, as electrical engineers focused on the skills of building actual computing devices, computer engineering emerged as a unique specialty. Computer engineers now focus more of their skills on designing useful software appl ... more

Computer Engineering is the fastest growing branch of engineering. It “lives” at the interface where software meets hardware. Computer Engineering is thus based on an understanding of both hardware and software design. The program offers students an in depth knowledge of computer architecture, networking, system programming, embedded system and software development. This program is designed to expose students to state-of-the-art topics in computer engineering while providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the theory underlying computer systems, their design and use in various applications. Computer engineering graduates of the program can work in several industry sectors in Indiana and the U.S. including most P.C., mobile, and embedded technology based industries such Intel, Motorola and Xilinx. Locally, computer engineering graduates can pursue exciting careers at EDS, Thomson Electronics, Cummins Engines and various other companies. ... more

Computer engineering focuses on solving programming problems, developing new software and hardware, and applying both algorithmic and object-oriented problem solving techniques. Understanding how data and computer structures work is a fundamental computer engineering course, and a computer engineering school prepares students with both the technical and theoretical aspects of the field as part of a computer engineering degree program. Computer engineering is used in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, industrial, media, and web development. A computer engineer may also choose to work in the field of programming and software development where they design processes from scratch. ... more

Computer Engineering is the analysis and design of computer systems that includes the study of basic electronics, digital circuits, computer hardware, algorithms and data structures, programming languages, operating systems, and visualization and robotics. ... more

Since engineering is the application of the principles of basic science to the solving of problems within constraints (that is, building things), computer engineering is engineering applied to computers and computer-based systems. In other words, computer engineers design computers such as PCs, workstations, and supercomputers. They also design computer-based systems such as those found in cars, planes, appliances, electronics, phones, communication networks, and many, many other products. Computer engineers typically design not only the hardware, but also much of the software in computer-based systems. In general, computer engineering is concerned with all elements of information processing systems. These elements include the application environment (visualization of results of a computation and artificial intelligence), paradigms for representing information (algorithms for numeric and non-numeric applications, symbol manipulation, and language processing), paradigms for processing i ... more

(Description from TryEngineering.org) Computer engineers analyze and evaluate computer systems, both hardware and software. They might work on systems such as a flexible manufacturing system or a "smart" device or instrument. Computer engineers often find themselves focusing on problems or challenges that result in new "state-of-the-art" products, which integrate computer capabilities. They work on the design, planning, development, testing, and even the supervision of manufacturing of computer hardware–including everything from chips to device controllers. They work on the interface between different pieces of hardware and strive to provide new capabilities to existing and new systems or products. The work of a computer engineer is grounded in hardware–from circuits to architecture–but also focuses on operating systems and software. Computer engineers must understand logic design, microprocessor system design, computer architecture, computer interfacing, and continually focus on syste ... more

The world needs engineers who can work on both sides of the gap between digital hardware and software. That is exactly what the Computer Engineer is educated to do. ... more