Student Guidebook 2013 (PDF) - College of Engineering - The ...

Career Information
What can I do with this engineering major?
Computer Engineering
http://www.eecs.utk.edu/
What is Computer Engineering?
Computer engineering deals
with the electronic hardware side
of electrical engineering and the programming side of
computer science. Often, a student can study electrical
engineering to cultivate a background in computer
engineering. However, with the increasing needs of both
industry and technology that drive our future, computer
engineering has now become a discipline by itself.
Typically, a computer engineering curriculum provides
a background in three broad areas—hardware, software,
and hardware-software integration. Students will also
have the opportunity to explore fundamental topics such
as microprocessors, computer architecture, digital signal
processing, operating systems, data communications,
and other related material. In addition, the program
includes core engineering subjects that are common to all
engineering disciplines.
The program educational objectives of the computer
engineering program include:
engineering, science and mathematics in the practice
of electrical/computer engineering or in advanced
professional studies; will identify, formulate and solve
electrical/computer engineering problems.
containing hardware and software components
with consideration of economic, ethical, safety,
environmental, and social issues; will be able to use
modern engineering techniques, skills and tools.
disciplinary teams, and engage in lifelong learning.
The university’s engineering programs are fully accredited
by the ABET Engineering Accreditation Program.
Career Opportunities in Computer Engineering
Computer hardware engineers are expected to have
favorable job opportunities. Employment of computer
hardware engineers is projected to increase faster than the
average for all occupations through 2015, reflecting rapid
employment growth in the computer and office equipment
industry, which employs the greatest number of computer
engineers. Consulting opportunities for computer
hardware engineers should grow as businesses need
help managing, upgrading and customizing increasingly
complex systems. Growth in embedded systems, a
technology that uses computers to control other devices
such as appliances or cell phones, also will increase the
demand for computer hardware engineers.
Computer Science
http://www.eecs.utk.edu/
What is Computer Science?
At one pole is computer science,
primarily concerned with theory,
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design, and implementation of software. It is a true
engineering discipline, even though the product is as
intangible as a computer program. At the other pole is
computer engineering, primarily concerned with firmware
(the microcode that controls processors) and hardware
(the processors themselves, as well as entire computers).
It is not possible to draw a clear line between the two
disciplines; many practitioners function to at least some
extent as both computer engineers and computer
scientists.
Computer Science is the study of software and hardware
systems, and theory of computation. Students must be
able to integrate material and concepts from these areas.
So, for example, students use analysis of algorithms
to select or design software to solve a problem on a
computer with parallel architecture. Another example
would be selecting or writing the software for a network
router, combining optimization theory, graph algorithms,
networking, knowledge of the hardware and professional
software methods. The emphasis is on foundations and the
ability to learn new developments in the field.
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Career Opportunities in Computer Science
Career Opportunities in many fields exist for our
graduates. Most generally, they are prepared to work in
laboratories that develop software intensive products.
These include, for example, automotive components,
financial systems, consumer appliances (cell phones,
personal computers), communication infrastructure
devices (routers, switches), scientific research facilities
(space stations, telescopes, reactors) and weapon
systems.