Which of the two career fields is better for those with a love of computers versus those who love to build things? You may be surprised to find out that there is little competition between these two science fields. Computer science deals with programming languages, hardware, and software. Mechanical engineering focuses on how materials are put together and how the flow of mechanical energy causes them to do so. While these are clearly not the only differences, they are the areas that are more commonly addressed by computer science students.
So which of the two career fields is better for someone wanting to develop computer science skills and which is better for someone wanting to develop mechanical engineering skills? Both computer science and mechanical engineering to address many of the same problem-solving methods, but they also employ slightly different approaches. One major difference between the two majors is the focus on problem-solving. Computer science generally requires a larger group of students to solve problems while mechanical engineering generally requires a smaller one.
Problem-solving is important for all science students, but it is especially critical in computer science or mechanical engineering. Both of these majors require scientific problem-solving skills. In fact, many computer scientists first got their bachelor's degrees working as mechanics engineers. Students in this major must come up with original solutions to problems. They are encouraged to find problems and run with them.
In addition to having to solve original problems, mechanical engineers must also be able to improvise when necessary. As a result, they have to know how to design something to fit into a particular mold. While a computer scientist may never need to improvise, a mechanical engineer will be required to do so more often than not in their career. Therefore, both types of degree programs teach students to perform a wide range of tasks.
The focus of the two computer science degree programs also lead to a deep understanding of complex scientific theories. However, computer scientists have a much shorter path to complete their degrees. In contrast, a mechanical engineer must actually earn his or her degree and complete four years of coursework at a university. There are many theories involved in the field of mechanics that have never been fully explained by science. For example, it has been long thought that the universe is governed by an invisible force called gravity. Scientists have developed a theory that explains the strong pull of the universe by explaining that a small amount of energy from a particle makes the space-time fabric bulge, known as the Planck's Constant.
Although a computer scientist cannot actually measure the strength of the Planck's Constant, he or she can study it using a similar instrument, namely a mass detector. Many similarities exist between computer science vs mechanical engineering, although there are obvious differences. For example, a computer scientist will most likely use a large number of sensors to analyze a problem. Mechanical engineers will make use of smaller sensors and fewer instruments to solve their problems.
Another similarity between the two fields is that they often require supervised projects. A computer scientist may be asked to develop a working model or implement a specific mathematical formula. On the other hand, a mechanical engineer will be required to build machines to put their calculations to test. The main difference between the two groups of scientists is that a computer scientist may be permitted to create a working model while a mechanical engineer must build a working machine. Computer scientists may also be allowed to look at a model in a lab and interpret the results, whereas a mechanic must actually see it work in order to evaluate its efficiency. The main difference between these groups of scientists is that a computer scientist may be permitted to explore alternative scientific possibilities and a mechanical engineer is required to build working machines.
In order to perform these tasks, however, both groups of scientists and mechanics must possess some good verbal and written communication skills. Because mechanical engineers use a great number of sensors to analyze a problem, they are often required to explain their findings in terms that a general audience can understand. Because of this requirement, many computer scientists find that hiring a good writer to draft a paper, essay or report that they have completed is a wise decision. By having a clear, concise writing style, they are able to explain complex scientific concepts in a clear and accurate manner.
