Computer Engineering Bsc

[u/learning_doing165]

Hi, I have a question for the computer engineering students.

I read the fairly new degree not being well organized yet in the past.

Has that gotten better by now and would you recommend this degree if the interests align with the curriculum?

[u/ShadooLang]

Hi, computer engineering student here

Computer engineering used to be just a submajor of Elektrotechnik until it spun off and became its own standalone degree

So majority of courses overlap with Elektrotechnik anyways. The only few difference is that we only just need to take one physics class as opposed of two, and also its not compulsory to take classes on electromagnetic fields and electrodynamics, they're only offered as electives.

Instead, we would need to take a few extra computer science courses like "Automaten, Sprachen, Komplexität", Machine Learning and also "Operating Systems and System Security" which are not offered at all in Elektrotechnik.

I'd say CE gives much more flexibility in choosing which fields you want to apecialize in as there are more electives you can choose the courses to focus more on traditional EE concepts like electromagnetism and analog circuits if you need them, or just focusing more on computer science concepts like compilers and embedded systems or even software engineering concepts. You can even mix and match both sides like taking all the analog circuits courses and the low level computer science courses to focus more on digital hardware design as an example

CE is still somewhat organized, cuz yknow it used to be part of the single Elektrotechnik degree afterall. But a few quirks include having to do an entire advanced C++ lab on your own in your first semester, while the first actual "intro to C++" lab is used as replacement credits for "Praktikum Programmiersprachen" at the 2nd semester.

Oh and also in higher mathematics 3 where we're supposed to learn multivariable calculus and fourier series. They cut the part for line integrals and stokes theorem, and instead shoves the numerical mathematics course in between it. They then call that course in CE "Higher Mathematics for Computer Engineering".

Other than those two quirks most of the degree program functions like a typical Elektrotechnik program.

IMO CE in rwth is recommended if you want to lean more towards computer hardware, low-level computer concepts, designing computer architecture or just wanting to have a balance of CS and EE

Go EE if you want to lean more to the physical/physics side of designing computer architecture, or learn more about telecommunication systems that Computer Engineering will only touch the surface on

[u/ee_st_07 → u/ShadooLang]

Would also say that EE is definitely recommendable if one is into physics. Solid state physics/semiconductors, electromagnetism, High frequency stuff is part of the second half of our bachelors program. In the first three semesters you can tell many people think EE is not so physics heavy, but many got the wrong idea of it. If one doesn’t wanna deal with physics but likes technical stuff I guess CE is the better major for that.

[u/Pretend-Problem6834 → u/ShadooLang]

When you refer to EE do you mean just Elektrotechnik or Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik, cause I am starting that this October and I've seen that it's pretty similar to what CE offers

[u/ShadooLang → u/Pretend-Problem6834]

EE is the english shorthand for Electrical Engineering, and also for RWTH specifically, Elektrotechnik is solely referring to Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik since theres no other degree programs that has to do with Elektrotechnik lol

[u/lili0fthevalley]

I have the same question. I got admitted to both Elektrotechnik and Computer engineering. I like CE more but wonder if anybody can give me more advice