Computer engineering

"Hardware engineering" redirects here. For engineering

of other types of hardware, see mechanical engineering.
For engineering electrical systems, see electrical
engineering.

The motherboard used in a HD DVD

player, the result of computer
engineering efforts

Computer engineering is a discipline that

integrates several fields of computer science
and electronics engineering required to develop
computer hardware and software.[1] Computer
engineers usually have training in electronic
engineering (or electrical engineering), software
design, and hardware–software integration
instead of only software engineering or
electronic engineering. 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.[2]

Usual tasks involving computer engineers

include writing software and firmware for
embedded microcontrollers, designing VLSI
chips, designing analog sensors, designing
mixed signal circuit boards, and designing
operating systems. Computer engineers are
also suited for robotics research, which relies
heavily on using digital systems to control and
monitor electrical systems like motors,
communications, and sensors.

In many institutions, computer engineering

students are allowed to choose areas of in-
depth study in their junior and senior year,
because the full breadth of knowledge used in
the design and application of computers is
beyond the scope of an undergraduate degree.
Other institutions may require engineering
students to complete one or two years of
General Engineering before declaring computer
engineering as their primary focus.[3][4][5][6]

History

Work

There are two major specialties in computer

engineering: hardware and software.

Computer hardware
engineering

Most computer hardware engineers research,

develop, design, and test various computer
equipment. This can range from circuit boards
and microprocessors to routers. Some update
existing computer equipment to be more
efficient and work with newer software. Most
computer hardware engineers work in research
laboratories and high-tech manufacturing firms.
Some also work for the federal government.
According to BLS, 95% of computer hardware
engineers work in metropolitan
areas.[citation needed] They generally work full-
time. Approximately 33% of their work requires
more than 40 hours a week. For example, the
typical computer hardware engineer with a
bachelor's degree as of 2015 makes $111,730
USD annually and an hourly pay of $53.72 USD.
The expected ten-year growth as of 2014 for
computer hardware engineering was an
estimated three percent, and there was a total
of 77,700 jobs for 2014 and 73,600 jobs for
2016[10].

Computer software
engineering
Main article: Software engineering

Computer software engineers develop, design,

and test software. They construct, and maintain
computer programs, as well as set up networks
such as "intranets" for companies. Software
engineers can also design or code new
applications to meet the needs of a business or
individual. Some software engineers work
independently as freelancers and sell their
software products/applications to an enterprise
or individual. A computer software engineer
with a bachelor's degree as of 2015 makes
$100,690 USD annually and an hourly rate of
$48.41 USD. The expected ten-year growth as
of 2016 is -7% (Decline according to the BLS)
for a total of 294,900 jobs [11] down from the
2014 BLS estimate for computer software
engineering of seventeen percent, and there
was a total of 1,114,000 jobs that year.[12]

Specialty areas

Education

Job outlook in the

United States

Similar occupations and

fields

See also

References

Last edited 29 days ago by 72

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