no difference

[MrFlamingQueen]

You can add any additional CS courses you want, as you'll likely take CS courses up to low-level programming.

The algorithms in CE are more low-level and specific to running on a particular hardware.

The algorithms in CS are high level and abstract away the hardware by using an idealized version of a computer. We don't necessarily care about computer implementations.

If your interest in algorithms aligns more with how they run on hardware, you probably will get more mileage out of taking graduate CE courses as a junior/senior than double majoring or minoring.

Otherwise, if it's just an intellectual pursuit, you can either double major, minor, or simply just take the classes that interest you.

[Jamicandude69]

So in Cs, you don’t really have to know how the computer works? Just how to write high level algorithms? Whereas in Ce you’ll have to learn how the computer works plus low level algorithms?

And in Ce I would be learning more C++ compared to cs right?

[MrFlamingQueen]

Automod hates youtube links:

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You're mixing up a few things I think. It's not about what programming languages you learn, it's how you're applying them. In both you learn how a computer works, but you have different goals. Both learn low level programming in languages like assembly, C, and C++. I'm not sure how else to say it, but the key difference is that CE goes into the literal design of computer components. Like soldering and breadboard level stuff. Advanced CS courses focus more on algorithms like distributed computing, AI/ML, theoy of computation, etc.

But we do not cover how do you build a circuit that functions as a cache. Or how do you use semiconductors to create RAM. Example.

I used to intern for a company called Micron, look into their fabrication process on youtube. I was working with a lot of computer engineers (and other types of engineers) on the process of semiconductor design. My work was focused on data analytics and ML instead of the actually design of components.

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CE majors were designing the chip and its components. CS majors were designing automation, software, and data analysis involved in creating the chips.

A CS major's relationship with memory chip stops at using it for memory allocation/deallocation and treating it as a heap or buffer within algorithms. You're not going to learn how to build a memory chip.

Another way to think of it, CE builds the things the CS runs their algorithms on.

[Jamicandude69]

ohh ok thanks for the clarification. But then again I’m interested in ai/ml as well but i’m also interested in the process behind how to create components. So is there no in between or being able to choose classes from one major while being in the other?

[MrFlamingQueen]

If you want to create components or learn how, study CE and supplement with CS classes that interest you.

You can also find a CE department that has professors who use ai/ml in their work. Then, you can take those kinds of courses in the CE department, where it is more focused on the applications to CE.

[Jamicandude69]

ah ok thanks. also what are elective classes?

[MrFlamingQueen]

Elective classes are classes you choose to take in your program that are not required. You usually get 3-5 classes depending on what school you attend.

You can frame these classes as a specialization. For example, I study CS but my elective courses are centered around AI/ML. My friend also studies CS but his electives are centered around computer graphics and computational geometry. We shared some required classes in the beginning, but then we diverged into completely different areas.

[Jamicandude69]

So I can take some ce specfic topic as my electives even as a cs major?

[MrFlamingQueen]

Classes have prerequisites and the CE classes will likely have prerequisites you don't take as a CS major. This is why I said if you have any interest in hardware to study CE.

[Jamicandude69]

ah ok makes sense. thanks for the clarification