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Computer engineering course is relatively new in UiTM particularly in Dungun Campus. It is often mistaken as a study program which resides under Information and Technology Faculty. I always get bewildered looks by others when I tell them that Computer Engineering is actually one of Electrical Engineering branches. And usually it will be continued with these sorts of questions as well, “So you must know how to do wiring right?” Right, I know how to do electrical wiring as much as I know how to sew. (Note: I flunk at sewing). Some even think that computer engineering and computer science are the same. Worse, some even assume that computer engineering is all about programming. The confusion is reasonable though, the term computer engineering has been debated for many years and you could check it out at many online computing discussion boards. When I become a lecturer myself, my students voice out the same puzzle that has been wandering in my mind since I was a bachelor degree student. This time, I try not to leave the uncertainty remains unsolved. So I will try to figure out the explanation based on my humble experience as well as through my readings and small researches on the internet.
I don’t know about computer engineering syllabus in other countries, but in Malaysia back in my bachelor degree days (late 90s to early 2000s), to my knowledge; apart from first year subjects which include basic electronics and circuits studies, its syllabus is more or less the same as IT studies. The computer related subjects being taught are data communication, software engineering, multimedia, computer database, data structures and algorithms, compiler construction and computer security among others. Meanwhile, the engineering elements are infused in subjects such as digital signal processing, control systems, communication engineering and signal systems analysis as well as wide range of elective subjects which cover both engineering and IT areas. A few years back, I checked my respective Alma Mater’s computer engineering syllabus and found out that it had been upgraded by including more extensive engineering related laboratory subjects such as electrical wiring training that I clearly lack of. Simply said, the recent computer engineering graduates are more skilled and knowledgeable than my batch.
Another characteristic that might differentiate computer engineers from IT experts or computer scientists is the eligibility of being certified professionally by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and BEM (Board of Engineers Malaysia).I remember attending a talk by one Professor who mentioned that sometimes BEM also encounter difficulty determining whether a particular applicant can be granted professional engineering certification especially when it comes to software engineering degrees. However, there is one benchmark that can be used, the applicant must have completed electric circuit course to be entitled as an electrical engineer. Moneywise, just like their fellow engineering counterparts, computer engineering graduates are also qualified for critical allowances along with their basic salaries. Students are particularly more interested with this piece of extra money information.
Now how about the career paths? I found very useful guide in an article published by Sloan Career Cornerstone Center in the US. Generally, the areas of focus or major specialty areas for computer engineering are as follows:
- Coding, Cryptography, and Information Protection
- Communications and Wireless Networks
- Compilers and Operating Systems
- Computational Science and Engineering
- Computer Networks, Mobile Computing, and Distributed Systems
- Computer Systems: Architecture, Parallel Processing, and Dependability
- Computer Vision and Robotics
- Embedded Systems
- Integrated Circuits, VLSI Design, Testing, and CAD
- Signal, Image, and Speech Processing
However, some may argue that these areas are not alien to computer scientists as well. More distinctions are coming right up. University at Buffalo, USA has outlined the differences between computer engineering and computer science convincingly. First discussion is in term of their definitions. Computer science (CS) is defined as the systematic study of algorithmic methods for representing and transforming information, including their theory, design, implementation, application, and efficiency. It emerges as a result of the development of computability theory and the invention of the stored-program electronic computer back in 1950s. Mathematics is responsible for the analysis part and engineering imparts design.
Meanwhile, computer engineering (CEN) is about the design and prototyping of computing devices and systems. Though it does share many areas of interest with computer science, computer engineering focuses its effort on the ways in which computing ideas are mapped into working physical systems. Though CEN roots from the disciplines of computer science and electrical engineering, computer engineering also rests on the intellectual foundations of basic physical sciences and mathematics.
Thus, which field should be ventured? Computer science or computer engineering? Though both scientists and engineers are both interested in understanding how ideas and objects in the world fit together, however in general, they seek to understand the nature of reality with different ends in mind. The scientist seeks this understanding as an end in itself. On the other hand, the engineer’s aim is to construct things.
There are three major divisions in computing, namely theory, software and hardware. The first approximation theory goes with CS, hardware with CEN, and software with both, but mainly with CS. The more general the software, the closer to CS; the more hardware-specific, the closer to CEN.
Therefore, students with an urge to build things, to get involved with laboratory work and interested in physics and chemistry as well as mathematics, should seriously consider CEN. For students who are attracted to the true nature of symbols, information and their manipulations, the forms and limits of algorithms and data structures, should consider CS.
But then again, seeking knowledge should not be a territorial matter. I find it interesting that most faculties in western universities combine both CS/IT and Computer Engineering under one banner. Personally, I think we should concentrate more on our common characteristics not the differences. We may come from different knowledge disciplines but we could complement each other. Islamic civilizations’ scholars are definitely the best examples in portraying the ability of mastering multidisciplinary knowledge. Renowned scholars such as Ibnu Sina and Ibnu Rushd managed to excel in medicine and philosophy; two disciplines which seem quite distant these days.
When all is said and done, computer engineering does not sound so confusing anymore. There’s no better field or course than the others, what is important is to gain as much knowledge as we could. None of us is able to be well informed of everything, that’s what learning is all about, keep looking for knowledge no matter who you are.
"Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave."
Written by:
Nur Idawati Md Enzai
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