Week 3-4

Computer Engineering Applications

and Practice
The two major specialties in Computer Engineering are Hardware and Software
Applications and Practice

There are two major specialties in Computer Engineering:

1.Hardware - Computer hardware includes the physical, tangible parts or components of a computer, such as the
cabinet, central processing unit, monitor, keyboard, computer data storage, graphics card, sound card, speakers
and motherboard. By contrast, software is instructions that can be stored and run by hardware.

2.Software - is a collection of data or computer instructions that tell the computer how to work. 

• computer software is all information processed by computer systems, programs and data.

• Computer software includes computer programs, libraries and related non-executable data, such as 

online documentation or digital media. Computer hardware and software require each other and neither can be
realistically used on its own.
Computer hardware engineering

Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components.

Today, computer hardware is somehow equal to electronic and computer engineering (ECE) and has been divided
into many subcategories; the most significant is embedded system design.

Computer hardware engineers ensure that computer hardware components work together with the latest
software.

Therefore, hardware engineers often work with software developers.

 For example, the hardware and software for mobile phones and other devices frequently are developed at the same
time.
Computer software engineering

A computer software engineer is an expert at the theory of computing systems and designs and

maintains software.

These engineers typically fall into two categories: 

• computer applications software engineer - Typically a computer software engineer will work on a host of

projects, including manufacturing, industry, government, and educational institutions. 

• computer systems software engineer. - Computer systems software engineers make sure that the computer
systems within an organization are functional and meet all the needs of users. 
Usual Tasks Involving Computer Engineers Include:

A computer engineer has an important job in the world of technology. The basic definition of a computer engineer
is one who researches, plans and develops computer operating systems. Computer engineers come in a variety
of types as one who is a computer engineer can work with general computer use or deal with computer usage
which goes along with a specific job position, such as military, industrial or medical, to name just a few.

• Writing software and firmware for embedded microcontrollers

• Designing VLSI chips, designing analog sensors

• Designing mixed signal circuit boards

• Designing operating systems.
Computer engineers are also suited for:

 1. Robotics research, which relies heavily on using digital systems to control and monitor electrical systems like 
motors, communications, and sensors.
General Responsibilities of a Computer Engineer

There are a few general responsibilities which a computer engineer must undertake in their job position.

1. The computer engineer must research information regarding computer operating systems, review current
operating systems, make changes to systems and even may develop operating systems of this type.

2. The computer engineer will use his/her knowledge in the fields of computer science, math and
engineering to ensure that they carry out their daily job tasks to the best of their ability.
Specific Duties of a Computer Engineer

A computer engineer has many specific duties relative to his/her job.

 The computer engineer must perform research regarding the computer operating systems. 

-This relates not only to the current operating systems which the computer engineer works with but new
concepts as well. The computer engineer will perform a wide array of research in relation to
operating systems as a whole.

 To maintain current operating systems within their job field. 

-This entails checking the systems periodically to ensure that they are working correctly, monitoring their
work consistency and fixing any problems that may arise in conjunction with the operating systems.
Specific Duties of a Computer Engineer

  Responsible for maintaining contact with a large number of individuals.

- Pertinent people include customers, project managers and other company employees. The contact is
important as it keeps everyone in the loop with regard to the various operating systems and provides the
computer engineer with feedback, whether it be of the good or bad variety.

 Some computer engineers may also be supervisors in their field of work. 

- Those who supervise others may be responsible for monitoring the work habits of subordinates, solving
problems which may arise, preparing schedules and ensuring that the employees get paid as they are
entitled.

 Computer engineers may also have quite a bit of administrative duties to tend to during the course of their work. 

  The responsibility of developing programs for the particular operating systems with which they work. 
Wonderful Traits for Computer Engineers to Possess

Computer engineers have varied duties to fulfill in their job role. In order to complete the various tasks in the best
way possible, there are a few traits which are highly desirable for a computer engineer to possess. 
1. The first trait which computer engineers should have is good analytical skills.

Thorough analysis is something which a computer engineer must partake in on a frequent basis therefore
one who has good skills of this type will benefit in the end.

2. Another trait which computer engineers will most likely want to have is wonderful problem solving skills.

Part of the job of a computer engineer is to fix any and all problems which may arise. If it turns out that
the computer engineer cannot fix the problem, they should have the skills to know whom they can turn to
in order to get the problem fixed. Those who have excellent problem solving skills may find that their
job role is completed in a much easier fashion.
3. Good communication skills will also come in handy for a computer engineer.

A computer engineer must converse with many different groups of individuals in their job role. Therefore,
it is easy to see how communication skills will help them to complete their daily tasks and responsibility
with greater ease.

4. Computer engineers who are said to be team players may also find that their job is a lot easier overall.

This is due to the fact that many computer engineers do not work in a bubble. They are surrounded by
colleagues and subordinates with whom they must work well with in order to get the job done. If a
computer engineer is a good team player, getting the job done in an expedient fashion will be more likely in
that case.
5. An additional positive trait which will come in handy for computer engineers is good speaking skills.

Those who are good public speakers will find themselves better able to disseminate information to groups
of individuals and get their message across in a clear and concise manner. Efficient public speaking skills are a
wonderful trait for computer engineers to possess.
REFERENCES
1. http://www.acm.org/education/education/curric_vols/CE-Final-Report.pdf Page 4
2.  IEEE Computer Society; ACM (December 12, 2004). 
Computer Engineering 2004: Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Computer Engineering  (PDF).
p. iii. Retrieved December 17, 2012. Computer System engineering has traditionally been viewed as a combination of both
electronic engineering (EE) and computer science (CS).
3. "Changing Majors @ Clemson". Clemson University. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
4.  "Declaring a College of Engineering Major". University of Arkansas. Archived from the original on October 12, 2014.
Retrieved September 20, 2011.
5. https://www.ece.iastate.edu/the-department/history/history-of-computing
6.  https://collegegrad.com/careers/computer-hardware-engineers
7. ^ https://www.sokanu.com/careers/software-engineer/
8. "John Vincent Atanasoff - the father of the computer". www.columbia.edu. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
9. "
Iowa State replica of first electronic digital computer going to Computer History Museum - News Service - Iowa State Univers
ity"
. www.news.iastate.edu. Retrieved December 5,2017.
10. "1947: Invention of the Point-Contact Transistor". The Silicon Engine. Computer History Museum. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
11.  Lojek, Bo (2007). History of Semiconductor Engineering. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 120 & 321-
323. ISBN 9783540342588.