Author Topic: Computer science vs engineering (Read 10432 times)

NextGenSoldier · « **on:** 08/28/2019 04:20 pm »

Greetings everyone,
I'm currently a CS student and am considering switching to Computer Engineering.
I was wondering if anyone knew what variety of jobs in the space industry either degree entails?
Couldn't find much on google, thanks!

P.S. (New to the forums, let me know if I need to change anything!)

Eer · « **Reply #1 on:** 08/28/2019 04:29 pm »

Welcome to the forum.

My own masters degree is in Computer Science, and my son is just beginning his undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering.

For those not familiar with the difference, Computer Engineering is a cross between Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, with more digital design and circuit design studies, and less theoretical CS work (both get some intro to Discrete Mathematics, but CS goes on to look at computational theory, algorithms, languages, databases, etc.).

As a result, Computer Engineering folks will more likely be involved in real-time / hardware interacting projects, including flight control systems, etc., while CS folks more likely working further up the stack, in logistics, process management, software engineering (including configuration management, management and control of software releases and updates, etc.

Both are likely to interact at the networking layer, where such things as REALLY long delay networking techniques will be developed in support of the Interplanetary Internet.

Both will have very interesting areas of involvement in this new future.

Rocket Science · « **Reply #2 on:** 08/28/2019 04:32 pm »

Quote from: NextGenSoldier on 08/28/2019 04:20 pm

Greetings everyone,
I'm currently a CS student and am considering switching to Computer Engineering.
I was wondering if anyone knew what variety of jobs in the space industry either degree entails?
Couldn't find much on google, thanks!

P.S. (New to the forums, let me know if I need to change anything!)

Welcome to the forum!

My first advice is to pursue your passion, either area of study is applicable to aerospace but mechanical engineering will cover multiple positions...

jjyach · « **Reply #3 on:** 08/31/2019 05:15 pm »

To second what Eer said, for instance my background is a degree in CS with a minor in mathematics, and I work primarily on sat ground control systems. This includes all of the software and systems for flight control, commanding, and other items. It's all of the items for operators to fly the vehicles. We manage all of the flows/equipment to actual uplinks, and handle the downlink items. Physics here, especially with orbital dynamics is very helpful.

Our Systems Engineers tend to have degrees in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, but we also deal with system integrators who have backgrounds across a wide swath of engineering.