Computer engineering is the term that describes the application of electrical engineering principles to the design of computers, networks of computers, or sometimes systems that include computers. Although traditionally part of electrical engineering, computer engineering has now come to be recognized as a separate engineering field. Since computer engineering is rapidly evolving, it’s hard to say exactly what you’ll end up doing as a computer engineer. So let’s start with what interests you and see how you might be able to pursue those interests through a career in computer engineering:
- Need to network? Enabling computers to communicate and work together, from wireless local area networks to the global internet, is a primary goal of computer engineers.
- Can you handle hardware? In addition to the computers themselves, computer engineers design peripherals — the drives, scanners, printers, and displays that enable us to provide input and receive output in a variety of formats.
- Looking for the small picture? Computer engineers are constantly working to create the next generation of smaller and faster circuits, chips, and processors.
- Gotta have gadgets? Consumer products ranging from refrigerators and automobiles to cellular phones and iPods rely on internal computers to function.
- Want to halt hackers? Staying one step ahead of hackers and others who misuse computer systems is a challenge for computer engineers who seek to improve security and protect privacy.
- Enjoy playing with reality? From computer gaming systems to virtual reality simulation to Hollywood special effects, computers are being used to stimulate and capture our imaginations.
- Fascinated by the future? Computers promise to become even more integrated into our daily lives — perhaps even into our bodies. What’s your vision for the future?
Computer engineering also overlaps the areas of computer information systems, computer science, and information science. It is common for students majoring in computer engineering to complete a minor in computer science. And because this is an area currently ripe for entrepreneurship, some computer engineers also choose to pursue additional training in business.
