My opinion is that a computer engineering degree is more flexible and valuable than one computer science. It is also "harder" to earn (at the institutions I have attended, anyway). As previous posters have stated, it is indeed more heavy on the math. Do not run from this, though, because if you make it through then you are that much more qualified to work on problems that require the math. In four (maybe five 8-)) years you may find yourself wanted to tackle harder problems in graduate school, and the more math you know the better off you are. Besides, understanding mathematics is a blast and enhances your confidence (and competence) in any professional situation.
In most cases, it is quite easy and reasonable to switch from a computer engineering to computer science. Going the other way, however, is harder. Why is that? Because you don't have the math background. Actually, this is true with far more than just CE/CS. A student can hop from a physics or engineering major to just about anything else related to science, math, or engineering at the university. It is also good preparation for an advanced techical degree. Computer science is also good preparation for graduate school, but not as good as engineering. Either way, your undergrad experience is full of useful tools for your advanced work. The computer engineer, however, will know a lot more math, and quite a bit more about hardware, in addition to computer programming.
Simply put, my opinion is that the more rigorous your academic program, the more valuable you are going to be to employers, and more satisfied with your career and intellectual development in the long run. Most people choose the easier path.
(I should mention here that both ECE and CS are hard, relatively speaking. You can't really lose choosing either one.)
By the way, I have a BS in computer engineering, a MS in electrical engineering (minor in CS) and all but dissertation in EE (minor in music). I am still working on this last one. I consider myself to be a computer programmer at least as good as those who studied pure computer science. So, studying computer engineering does not preclude becoming a good programmer, or even doing programming full time after graduation.
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My opinion is that a computer engineering degree is more flexible and valuable than one computer science. It is also "harder" to earn (at the institutions I have attended, anyway). As previous posters have stated, it is indeed more heavy on the math. Do not run from this, though, because if you make it through then you are that much more qualified to work on problems that require the math. In four (maybe five 8-)) years you may find yourself wanted to tackle harder problems in graduate school, and the more math you know the better off you are. Besides, understanding mathematics is a blast and enhances your confidence (and competence) in any professional situation.
In most cases, it is quite easy and reasonable to switch from a computer engineering to computer science. Going the other way, however, is harder. Why is that? Because you don't have the math background. Actually, this is true with far more than just CE/CS. A student can hop from a physics or engineering major to just about anything else related to science, math, or engineering at the university. It is also good preparation for an advanced techical degree. Computer science is also good preparation for graduate school, but not as good as engineering. Either way, your undergrad experience is full of useful tools for your advanced work. The computer engineer, however, will know a lot more math, and quite a bit more about hardware, in addition to computer programming.
Simply put, my opinion is that the more rigorous your academic program, the more valuable you are going to be to employers, and more satisfied with your career and intellectual development in the long run. Most people choose the easier path.
(I should mention here that both ECE and CS are hard, relatively speaking. You can't really lose choosing either one.)
By the way, I have a BS in computer engineering, a MS in electrical engineering (minor in CS) and all but dissertation in EE (minor in music). I am still working on this last one. I consider myself to be a computer programmer at least as good as those who studied pure computer science. So, studying computer engineering does not preclude becoming a good programmer, or even doing programming full time after graduation.
John