While computational science and computer science both involve computing, they take distinct approaches and equip students with different skillsets. Computational science applies computation to scientific problems, while computer science focuses on developing new hardware, software and algorithms.

While computer science and computer engineering sound similar and some duties and responsibilities may only overlap, the key difference is that computer science focuses primarily on computer theory and software while computer engineering focuses on computer design and hardware.

Are you deciding whether to major in computer science or an engineering field? If so, it’s important to understand how the disciplines differ.

The key difference between computer science and computer engineering lies in their focus. Computer science delves into software development and theoretical computing, while computer engineering emphasizes the integration of hardware and software systems.

To give you a framework for understanding the differences, here’s a one-word summary of each degree type: Computer science: software. Information technology: networks. Computer engineering: hardware. Obviously, that’s just scratching the surface, so let’s get into the nuances of each program.