What is Computer engineering?
'''Computer engineering''' is the practice of making [[computer]]s and their parts. Computer engineers are always trying to make new parts smaller and better. They can also work on software, especially software for [[embedded system]]s (specialized [[electronics]] like cell-phones and satellite receivers, not a general-purpose computer). [[File:ASRock K7VT4A Pro Mainboard.jpg|thumb|Motherboard of the ASRock K7VT4A Pro.]] Computers are electrical machines that run programs. Computer engineering has parts of both [[electrical engineering]] and [[computer science]]/[[software engineering]]. In computer engineering classes, students learn about the [[Computer hardware|hardware]] and [[software]] of computers. They start with learning how [[transistor]]s and [[computer chip]]s are made and how they work (which uses [[quantum mechanics]]). Then the [[student]] learns how the chips talk to each other and how to make a complete [[printed circuit board]] (PCB), which is the electrical part. They also learn how to program the [[Read-only memory|ROM]] or [[Flash memory]] so the computer can do something useful. Because computer engineering is closely related to electrical engineering and computer science, the fields are found in the same department at many universities.<ref>[http://www.cs.ucla.edu Computer Science and Computer Engineering]</ref> Students also need to learn fundamental [[science]] subjects and [[mathematics]], such as [[calculus]] and [[differential equation]]s. Computer engineering is difficult to learn, but computer engineers are needed.<ref>[http://www.princetonreview.com/Majors.aspx?cip=140901&page=1 Major: Computer Engineering]</ref> [[Software engineering]] companies, telecommunications firms, designers of digital hardware, and many other companies hire computer engineering majors upon graduation and pay them well. {{commonscat|Computer engineering}} ==Notes== {{reflist}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Computer science]] [[Category:Engineering disciplines]]