Computer engineering vs computer science: Which master’s is right for you?

Both programmes will usually have options to specialise so you can tailor them to your career goals. 

At the UTA, MSc Computer Science students will get the option to specialise in either computer architecture and systems, or embedded systems. They will gain an in-depth knowledge of their chosen major and the ability to apply this knowledge in a range of subject areas to solve real-life problems. 

Similarly, if you study the MSc Computer Engineering at UTA you will select one of eight graduate tracks to follow: 

• Data analytics (database systems, data mining, cloud computing, big data, and others) 
• Intelligent systems (knowledge representation, knowledge acquisition, machine learning, neural networks, parallel AI, and others) 
• Networking, telecommunications and mobile computing 
• Software engineering (environments, formal verification, testing, and others) 
• Multimedia systems (authoring, compression, collaboration, and communication) 
• Theory and algorithms 
• Bioinformatics 
• Information and cybersecurity 

At UTA, you can also choose the assessment methods for each programme, with the option to decide whether you would like to complete a thesis. 

If you choose to do a thesis, students will select one of the specialisations above and complete eight modules, plus a number of courses from their selected track.  

For computer engineering, this will be a combination of core computer engineering classes such as computer organisation, digital logic, digital signal processing and circuits.  

For computer science, students will choose between core modules such as algorithms, distributed systems, compilers, data modelling and computer organisation.  

Students will also complete a thesis on a topic of their choice, which will be overseen by a committee of at least three members. 

If you decide not to do a thesis and have an exceptional academic background and GPA of 305 or higher, you can complete a 30-hour non thesis.  

Computer science students will select 10 courses from a list of core classes and select both specialisations above, and computer engineering students will select 12 courses from a list of core classes. 

A 36-hour option is available for students who are not interested in completing a thesis and have an average academic background in computer science. 

Whether you decide to study a computer engineering or a computer science master’s degree, both programmes are likely to lead to similar careers and you will enjoy excellent job prospects. 

A master’s in computer science will provide graduates the latest theoretical and practical skills in their selected tracks, whether that’s artificial intelligence or data analytics. Typical careers include computer programmer, systems manager, software developer and security analyst. 

A master’s in computer engineering will give graduates the knowledge and skills required to design and test embedded systems using microcontrollers, system-on-chip, and FPGA devices. Typical careers include multimedia programmer, hardware engineer, industrial engineer and forensic computer analyst.