Computer Science vs Software Engineering

[Yawarjr17]

I plan on going for university soon, inshAllah but before I apply, I need to decide the course. I need some help figuring out which field is for me.

Q1) What's the difference?
Q2) Future fields and scope?

Any help would be appreciated.

Ps: No0b language please.


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[Mac Ten]

This link might help: http://www.pakgamers.com/forums/f163/software-engineering-cs-nust-139680/

 

[r3v3rs3]

This question gets asked quite often it seems?

The difference between the two is akin to the difference between science and engineering. I am surprised why I haven't seen this analogy being used more often here. Then there are some areas that can be considered to be blurred between the two.

But in a practical sense, the way it is taught, CS is similar to SE in many ways. That's because many courses that would fall on the side of CS (even some basic ones, leave alone the more advanced/specialized ones) are, generally, either not taught at universities here or kept optional.

Some points that are worth noting are:
- Getting a SE degree might (but not necessarily) limit your options for more abstract (and also mathematical) courses and fields of study.
- If your main intention is to be a Software developer/designer and this is your passion, then you would do fine with SE I think. Atleast I feel that this will give you a head start.

To put it in a straight forward way, if you are really sure that you want to be a software developer and this is your passion, I think you would do better with SE.

If you aren't sure and first want to sink your feet in, and keep all options open, I think it would be better to get a CS degree. Say you might want to get higher education in more abstract field of study. With CS I believe you would have more broad set of specialization fields to choose from (most, but not all, of the extra ones available are going to be mathematical in nature). But this is all only if higher education (beyond masters) is on your list of options.

If this doesn't help, think of it in terms of classifications. Based on my own highly limited knowledge, roughly speaking, you can put CS into three categories. Don't consider the list of sub-fields exhaustive or always well-defined by ANY means (in other words, its quite incomplete and ambiguous)

1) Software Engineering
2) Real Life Systems
Computer Architecture, Computer Networks, Operating Systems, Databases etc.
3) Theory
Graphs and Combinatorics, Computability, Computational Complexity, Mathematical Logic, Computational Maths etc.

In a usual computer science degree what you would learn is writing programs along with many of the subject from =2= with bits and pieces from =3=.

I don't know what in particular one would learn in an SE degree, but quite likely more focus on =1=. Some subjects from =2=, possibly with the omission of few that are taught in CS. Also quite likely a lot more involvement and experience in writing larger software (which is why SE is organized as a scientific subject in the first place).

The way I feel is that SE is the right degree for someone who have made up their mind that Software design and development is their thing and want to immerse themselves in it earlier, and possibly give themselves an advantage. CS is for those want to wait it out to get a flavor of everything and then see for themselves what they want to do (software development, doctoral degree or perhaps some kind of job where CS gives a distinct background advantage).

But Shyber, for some reason, seems to have a different opinion. I am genuinely a bit surprised about it, but anyway he IS a software engineer so perhaps there is wisdom to it.

In any case, whether you are a CS or SE graduate, you can end up as a computer science person or software developer/engineer in both cases.

 

[hash94]

^ thanks for the post, that helped me clear my mind between Cs and SE, and i am going with Software engineering.

The only thing that worries me is the job scope, i recently completed my A levels , and now want to start univ, but it is hard to make right decision in choosing the field.

So perhaps can anyone guide me on the job prospectus in pakistan and globally, some encouragement needed :crying:

 

[r3v3rs3]

^ thanks for the post, that helped me clear my mind between Cs and SE, and i am going with Software engineering.

My advice would be (if that's possible) to meet a few instructors (for whatever college you plan to or have enrolled in), represent your interests and very clearly to them, and ask for their opinion. This in particular if the college doesn't allow you to switch subjects during course of study. If it does, then probably you shouldn't think about it too much for now, as you would be able to decide for yourself during the course of study.

 

[seaofzaire]

I would recommend Software Engineering. Better and broader scope than Computer Science

 

[GhaniKhan]

I have heard here on PG that Computer Science(BCS or BSCS) is Good or Better than Software Engineering
bcz
in BCS or BSCS u can also learn Software Engineering Course:wink2:

 

[dexter786]

and IT k baray me b koi bata do yar

i saw CS n IT
un me almost same subjects thy

 

[Shyber]

Software Engineering is a subset of Computer Science.
CS students always have domain knowledge edge over SE.

(5 years experience in the field, have personally interviewed nearly 80 candidates from KU/NED/Sir Syed).