What are the Courses a Computer Engineer Should Know?

There is no denying that our lives depend significantly on technology, from work to entertainment in this day and age. That is why computer engineers are so important.

Their job is to apply the principles of computer science and mathematical analysis to design and develop software. But their role is much more significant than that. That’s why they often get very high salaries.

So, what are the courses a computer engineering student/professional should know? Let’s make it short and straightforward.

What You Need To Know?

Here are the courses that you should know as a computer engineer:

Concepts

  • Basic programming concepts (variable declaration, conditions, loops, and more.)
  • Data Structures and algorithms
  • Object-oriented programming
  • Operating Systems (Windows, MS-DOS, Unix)
  • Relational Database Management System
  • Networking concepts (TCP, HTTP, SMTP, FTP, etc.)
  • Software Testing Life Cycle
  • Software Development Life Cycle

Languages

  • Java
  • C/C++
  • SQL
  • Python
  • JavaScript & JQuery
  • HTML, XML, CSS, and JSON

Tools

  • MySQL
  • Maven/Gradle
  • JUnit
  • Eclipse IDE

What is Computer Engineering?

They have extensive programming languages, operating system development, and software. They can apply engineering principles to create software.

Computer engineers are typically responsible for evaluating, designing, and maintaining computer hardware and software systems. That’s not all.

They also develop, test, and design circuit boards, computer microprocessors, and networking systems. They are available to solve problems or problems with hardware or software and support the advancement of computer technology.

These engineers should be well-versed in:

  • Fundamentals of computer science
  • Basic knowledge of hardware and software
  • Programming & coding
  • Design & architecture
  • Algorithms & data structures
  • Debugging software
  • Information analysis
  • Testing software

What Are Computer Engineering Salaries?

In general, the job prospects of these engineers will become more and more stable in the future. Specifically, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, this job is expected to grow 2% by 2029.

However, if you think that doing this job is easy, you are wrong! You’ll have to compete with many other talented engineers to get good positions.

Hence, it would be best to prepare for the career early to take advantage. For example, you should self-study, find internships, and participate in major research projects.

The good news is that you will usually get a good salary for these positions. Here is the annual salary for some jobs related to this field in the US:

PositionAnnual salary
Computer Engineer$92,000
Computer Architecture Developer$85,750
Network Engineer$72,350
Systems Engineer$77,750
Firmware Engineer$98,250
Quality Control Engineer$44,400
Mobile Device Engineer$91,700

Luckily, you do not have to worry about job opportunities. You will most likely get a well-paying job. The amount that you get will increase with experience.

What Are the Best Universities Offering Computer Engineering Courses?

Here are the top university choices for this major:

United States– Massachusetts Institute of Technology
– Harvard University
– Carnegie Mellon University
– Stanford University
– University of California Berkeley
United Kingdom– University of Oxford
– University of Cambridge
Switzerland– ETH Zurich
– Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne 
Singapore– National University of Singapore 

What Skills Should These Engineers Have?

Here are some examples of essential skills these engineers need to be successful in their field:

Coding

Coding is one of the basic skills that IT professionals need to create programs and software.

Adaptability

You need adaptability because the faculty of technology changes day by day. Successful software engineers always have the flexibility to learn and understand new technology as it comes out.

Communication

Communication is essential.

In most cases, you will have to work as a team to debug programs or develop software. Sometimes you may also have to train other engineers or new employees. Therefore, communication becomes essential.

Creativity

As an IT professional, you always have to brainstorm with your colleagues to solve problems or develop new software.

Hence, creativity is essential for you as you need it to improve existing software or suggest alternative methods for existing applications.

Networking

This skill is essential for every profession. It allows you to form and nurture professional relationships at work.

Problem-solving

When you make an effort to debug the program or find a problem, you will solve the complex problem. So, you need to identify the problem and suggest some solution to fix it.

Software Development

You need to understand the general frameworks for the software development process. It includes generating ideas troubleshooting programs and comprehending software development structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What job opportunities are there for these engineers?

Their job opportunities are always open because their role is essential.

2. What are career salary prospects for these engineers?

The median pay of a computer engineer is $102,450 per annum – 106% higher than the average salary in the U.S.

3. How to become a professional computer engineer?

Here are the necessary steps, read this for more details

  • Pursue a bachelor degree
  • Gain experience and skills
  • Become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE)
  • Get relevant certifications

Conclusion

Hopefully, we’ve helped you better understand computer engineers and their role in our lives. Just study hard and add relevant knowledge, and you will soon become a potential technology engineer.

Thank you for being so interested in the article! Good luck!