Programmer

[Fasih]

Ok so I am still confused as to what exactly the difference between Computer Science and Software Engineering is. All I have read is that software engineers dont generally program but take into account what clients want and construct a base, and what i mean by that is that they select libraries and such, and algorithms. Computer Scientists, from what I read, are just code-monkeys.

Can someone just tell me generally what would be the difference. I dont want to hear that CS is more flexible unless you can define what you mean by that as Ive read that several places.
I wan`t to be a programmer, what would be the best route... SE or CS

Argh my question marks aren`t showing up, i think i did something lol.... all the special characters are coming up lol

[mirhagk]

Basically computer science goes into new ideas, and algorithms, while software engineering tends to reuse others ideas, and algorithms to design something that their clients want. Computer science can even go into research fields.

Depends on whether you like experimenting or designing.

[Fasih]

Oh. Well I dont want to go into research. So as a software engineer I can still get programming jobs

Btw on a laptop how do i reset the fn because something happened and now none of my special characters work, instead its the ones you get from holding fn :S

[mirhagk]

try cycling through with ctrl and shift at the same time.

And computer scientist does not mean researching jobs, it's just more thinking instead of planning.

[Tony]

When we say "flexible" we mean that SE, as an Engineering program, tells you what classes to take when (for the most part), and you follow the same set of people through those classes. Should you fail one class, it might be difficult to make up for that credit without staying back a year and repeating a full term.

If you step back enough, then CS is about designing and analyzing algorithms/data-structures, while SE is about designing complete applications/systems.

In reality there is a lot of overlap. SE students take CS classes. CS students can have a SE-option on their degree. At the end when CS/SE come to Google/Amazon/Microsoft/Facebook, we all end up in the same jobs anyway.

[Fasih]

Ok well I have to decide between SE or CS at Mac or go UFT for ECE and specialize in Software. Most likely i wont go to UFT but im so torn right now... I hate this...making decisions sucks lol

[mirhagk]

I personally would suggest CS, just seems like if you take it, you'll be prepared for both jobs.

[Tony]

UofToronto (downtown) is generally considered to be a better school, but ECE is much further off from what you want you seem to want to do...

If you are comparing CS/SE given the same school, my best advice for you is to follow throw with this -- http://compsci.ca/blog/choosing-between-computer-science-and-computer-engineering/

[unoho]

when i was applying for uni last year, my 2nd choice was SE at Mac (although I was planning on specializing in their game design option)...but oh well, i got into my first choice

I agree with what tony said.. LOTS of overlap, we both get to code. our SE director has CS background. No matter what you choose, you'll do the same job at the end (more or less) imo

EDIT: the place where I work right now for co-op, my supervisors and managers are from CS, I am from SE.. we get along just fine lol

[SmokeMonster]

It doesn't really matter to be honest. I'd recommend CS just due to the fact that you get more electives and can take courses that interest you rather than have most of your schedule decided by the faculty. But you'd be fine going either route.

[Fasih]

Hmm yea...

I think Im gonna go through the courses for each program and see which one appeals to me more. McMaster's comp sci program isnt bad. Places top 100 worldwide apparently, even though those rankings consider research postgrad.