Computer Engineering

According to Wikipedia , computer engineering is a discipline that integrates

several fields of electrical engineering and computer science required to develop computer
hardware and software. Computer engineers usually have training in electronic engineering ,
software design and hardware-software integration. Computer engineers are involved in many
hardware and software aspects of computing, from the design of
individual microcontrollers, microprocessors,personal computers, and supercomputers, to circuit
design. This field of engineering not only focuses on how computer systems themselves work, but
also how they integrate into the larger picture.

Career prospect for computer engineering

The job prospects for computer engineers are increasing rapidly both in India and
abroad because of the booming in this industry. System study, analysis, design
and programming are the main areas which provide various probabilities to the
computer science and engineering graduates to shape themselves in their career.
Computer engineers develop computer programs for industries. Their work
involves the design, development and maintenance of software. They are engaged
in analyzing problems for solutions, formulating and testing, using advanced
communications or multi-media equipment or working in teams for product
development.
A computer engineering graduate with a high percentage of mark and good
communication skill are easily absorbed in reputed companies. Along with the
degree in computer science, the candidate should be well trained in the latest
software's. Software and IT companies are the main employers of these graduates.

They can also find job opportunities in a variety of environments in university,

research, private and public industries, government departments, business
organizations, commercial organizations and the manufacturing sector etc.
Computer Engineers can work as a Software/ Hardware Engineer, which are the
two main sectors in the computer industry. Software is the set of programmed
instructions that enable a computer to perform specified functions and Hardware
covers the physical elements of a computer system, and is concerned with the
design, development, assembly, manufacture and maintenance. They can work as
programmers, web developers and E- commerce specialists with industries that
build or use computer-based systems, such as telecommunications, automotive,
aerospace, etc. National and multi-national computer manufacturing companies;
computer hardware system design and development companies, computer
networking companies, software development companies as well as hardware
assembling and maintenance companies, data processing departments of modern
industries and in areas where computers and computer-aided systems are used,
such as aeronautics and space science, the petroleum industry, chemical plants
and power plants and management consultancy organizations are some among the
probable work places.
Diploma holder in computer engineering can start their own business enterprise
with very little investment. A person with good academic record i.e a masters
degree in computer engineering with 5 years experience in teaching at graduate
level or industrial experience in a reputed firm can be employed as a lecturer.
Qualified candidates can find employment as a Software engineer in software
companies in India and abroad.

European manufacturing industries provide excellent career opportunities for

computer graduates in areas like cabling, satellite television, cellular telephones,
microprocessor system design and software engineering. In Australia and
overseas they might be employed in design, manufacturing, robotics and software
development sectors.
Computer engineers work for computer companies such as Intel, HP, and Texas Instruments, and also in
industries that build or use computer-based systems, such as telecommunications, automotive,
aerospace, etc. Many computer engineers also get jobs as programmers. While they have less
programming experience than computer science graduates, their understanding of hardware gives them
an advantage in dealing with overall systems.

Computer hardware engineers usually work in research laboratories that build and test various types
of computer models. Most work in high-tech manufacturing firms. Some work in computer systems
design firms, research and development firms, or for the federal government. More than 95 percent
of computer hardware engineers work in metropolitan areas.

What A Computer Engineering Curriculum Provide?

A Computer Engineering curriculum should provide students with a foundation in basic science,
mathematics, and the humanities. Written and oral communication skills should be emphasized and
developed throughout the program. Also, team project work and an appreciation of the ethical and
professional responsibilities of an engineer should be present in any computer engineering program.
Some of the more recent developments in computer engineering include digital and microcomputer
applications, digital signal processing, image processing, telecommunications, computer
architecture, electromagnetic compatibility and computer vision. These areas are emphasized along
with digital system design, embedded systems design, operating systems, and other more
conventional subjects in computer engineering. Extensive use of the computer as a tool for
mathematical analysis, design, data analysis, and instrumentation is emphasized. The repetitive
nature of the design cycle and the need for simultaneous documentation and development are
emphasized through team project work.

Computer engineers use many of the principles and techniques of electrical engineering and many of
computer science. Computer engineering, however, is more than a blend of two other fields.
The major technical areas of CPE:

Cybersecurity

Networking
Design automation
Machine intelligence
Computer software
Biomedical
Embedded Systems

What's the difference between computer engineering and computer science?

Computer engineers build hardware while computer scientists generally do not. However,
computer scientists certainly know enough about hardware to analyze computer system operations and
to interact with hardware engineers.
Computer scientists know more about underlying theory of computation, programming languages,
and operating systems. While computer engineers often work as programmers, most system level
programs such as programming languages and operating systems are designed by computer
scientists. However, computer engineers usually write the programs for computer-based systems such
as those described .

A Concrete Example: An iPhone

Consider an iPhone. Apple employs both Computer Scientists and Computer Engineers to
design each new version of the iPhone. Computer Engineers (and Electrical Engineers)
designed the chips that house the integrated circuits that make the iPhones various components
(cell radio, screen, controls, memory, microprocessor) function, and they figured out how to get
the various components to work with each other. That involves looking at the device at both the
microscopic level and the integrated systems level. Computer Scientists wrote the operating
system that manages the memory and concurrently running applications, the apps in the app
store that run on top of that operating system, the packing and unpacking of data into packets for
network communication and the encrypting of data so that prying eyes cant see it. The computer
scientists provide the glue pieces that bring turn the computer engineers beginning product the
component designs into the computer engineers end product the device on which people
text, browse the web, and play Angry Birds.

From this example, it is easy to imagine, with so much dependence on each others functions
for realizing a finished product, why there is significant overlap in the coursework Computer
Engineers and Computer Scientists take, and in the career opportunities they pursue.

What does a Computer Hardware Engineer do?

Computer hardware engineers typically do the following:
*Design new computer hardware, creating blueprints of computer equipment to be built
*Test the completed models of the computer hardware they design
*Analyze the test results and modify the design as needed
*Update existing computer equipment so that it will work with new software
*Oversee the manufacturing process for computer hardware
Computer hardware engineers analyze complex equipment to determine the best way to improve
it. They design new types of information technology devices. They use logic and reasoning to clarify
goals, examine assumptions, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions to
problems. They identify complex problems in computer hardware, develop and evaluate possible
solutions, and figure out the best way to implement them. Engineers often work on teams and must be
able to communicate with other types of engineers as well as with non-technical team members.
Computer hardware engineers ensure that computer hardware components work together with
the latest software developments. Therefore, they sometimes work with software developers. For
example, computer hardware engineers give developers of mobile applications information about what
kind of software a cell phone can run.

Computer hardware engineers "research, design, develop and test computer systems
and components such as processors, circuit boards, memory devices, networks and

routers," according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Computer hardware
includes:

microprocessors;

memory chips: random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM) and

nonvolatile rewritable flash memory;

data storage devices: hard disks, solid-state drives and optical drives;

input devices: keyboards, mice, joysticks and gaming controllers, cameras,

microphones, scanners, touch screens and remote sensors;

output devices: printers, monitors, audio devices and remote controls; and

networking components: adapters, modems, switches and routers.

An important function of computer engineers is to integrate these components into

computer and network systems. This all requires a good working knowledge
of electrical engineering.
Another important aspect of computer engineering is software development. Computer
software includes:

operating systems;

applications: word processing, spreadsheets, accounting, database

management, graphics, computer-assisted design (CAD), computer-assisted
manufacturing (CAM), audio, video, media and games;

networking and communications: World Wide Web (WWW), voice over

Internet Protocol (VOIP), instant messaging and email;

utilities: file handling, disk management, device drivers, archiving and backup
systems;

programming languages: editing, compiling and debugging; and

security: antivirus, firewalls, encryption and user authentication.

Future of Computer engineering

The BLS predicts employment of computer hardware engineers to grow 7 percent from 2012 to 2022,
which is slower than the average for all occupations. "A limited number of engineers will be needed to
meet the demand for new computer hardware because more of the technology innovation takes place
with software than with hardware," the BLS states. Employment of software developers is projected to
grow 22 percent from 2012 to 2022, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. "The main
reason for the rapid growth is a large increase in the demand for computer software," according to the
BLS. Having good grades from a highly rated institution should give a job seeker an advantage over the
competition

references

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_engineering
http://career.webindia123.com/career/options/engineering/computer/jobprospects.htm
http://www.internationalstudentguidetotheusa.com/articles/computer_engineers.htm
http://www.ee.uh.edu/undergraduate/computer-engineering-faq
https://www.sokanu.com/careers/computer-hardware-engineer/
https://www.ece.vt.edu/ugrad/cpe.html
http://www.livescience.com/48326-computer-engineering.html