CPE 6101 / COMPUTER ENGINEERINF AS A DISCIPLINE

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Computer Engineering History

Module 3-4: Computer Engineering Applications and Practice

Course Learning Outcomes:
1. At the end of this module, the students are expected to identify the Computer
Engineering duties and responsibilities;
2. Learn the specialties of Computer Engineers;
3. Appreciate the role of computer engineers in the society.

There are two major specialties in Computer Engineering:

1. Hardware - Computer hardware includes the physical, tangible parts or components
of a computer, such as the cabinet, central processing unit, monitor,
keyboard, computer data storage, graphics card, sound card, speakers and
motherboard.

2. Software – by contrast, software is instructions that can be stored and run

by hardware.

Computer hardware engineering

❑ Computer hardware engineers’ research, design, develop, and test computer
systems and components.
❑ Today, computer hardware is somehow equal to electronic and computer
engineering (ECE) and has been divided into many subcategories; the most
significant is embedded system design.
❑ Computer hardware engineers ensure that computer hardware components
work together with the latest software.
❑ Therefore, hardware engineers often work with software developers.
❑ For example, the hardware and software for mobile phones and other
devices frequently are developed at the same time.
Computer software engineering
• A computer software engineer is an expert at the theory of computing systems and
designs and maintains software.
These engineers typically fall into two categories:
1. Computer applications software engineer - Typically a computer
software engineer will work on a host of projects, including
manufacturing, industry, government, and educational institutions.
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Computer Engineering History

2. Computer systems software engineer. - Computer systems software

engineers make sure that the computer systems within an
organization are functional and meet all the needs of users.

Usual Tasks Involving Computer Engineers Include:

A computer engineer has an important job in the world of technology. The basic
definition of a computer engineer is one who researches, plans and develops computer
operating systems. Computer engineers come in a variety of types as one who is a
computer engineer can work with general computer use or deal with computer usage
which goes along with a specific job position, such as military, industrial or medical, to
name just a few.
1. Writing software and firmware for embedded microcontrollers
2. Designing VLSI chips, designing analog sensors
3. Designing mixed signal circuit boards
4. Designing operating systems.

Computer engineers are also suited for:

1. Robotics research, which relies heavily on using digital systems to control and
monitor electrical systems like motors, communications, and sensors.

General Responsibilities of a Computer Engineer

There are a few general responsibilities which a computer engineer must undertake in
their job position.
1. The computer engineer must research information regarding computer
operating systems, review current operating systems, make changes to
systems and even may develop operating systems of this type.
2. The computer engineer will use his/her knowledge in the fields of computer
science, math and engineering to ensure that they carry out their daily job
tasks to the best of their ability.
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Computer Engineering History

Specific Duties of a Computer Engineer

A computer engineer has many specific duties relative to his/her job.

1. The computer engineer must perform research regarding the computer

operating systems.

-This relates not only to the current operating systems which the computer
engineer works with but new concepts as well. The computer engineer will
perform a wide array of research in relation to operating systems as a whole.

2. To maintain current operating systems within their job field.

-This entails checking the systems periodically to ensure that they are
working correctly, monitoring their work consistency and fixing any
problems that may arise in conjunction with the operating systems.

3. Responsible for maintaining contact with a large number of individuals.

- Pertinent people include customers, project managers and other company

employees. The contact is important as it keeps everyone in the loop with regard
to the various operating systems and provides the computer engineer with
feedback, whether it be of the good or bad variety.

4. Some computer engineers may also be supervisors in their field of work.

- Those who supervise others may be responsible for monitoring the work
habits of subordinates, solving problems which may arise, preparing schedules
and ensuring that the employees get paid as they are entitled.

5. Computer engineers may also have quite a bit of administrative duties to tend
to during the course of their work.

6. The responsibility of developing programs for the particular operating

systems with which they work.
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Computer Engineering History

Wonderful Traits for Computer Engineers to Possess

Computer engineers have varied duties to fulfill in their job role. In order to
complete the various tasks in the best way possible, there are a few traits which are highly
desirable for a computer engineer to possess.
1. The first trait which computer engineers should have is good analytical skills.
➢ Thorough analysis is something which a computer engineer must partake in on a
frequent basis therefore one who has good skills of this type will benefit in
the end.
2. Another trait which computer engineers will most likely want to have is
wonderful problem-solving skills.
➢ Part of the job of a computer engineer is to fix any and all problems which may
arise. If it turns out that the computer engineer cannot fix the problem, they
should have the skills to know whom they can turn to in order to get the
problem fixed. Those who have excellent problem-solving skills may find that
their job role is completed in a much easier fashion.
3. Good communication skills will also come in handy for a computer engineer.
➢ A computer engineer must converse with many different groups of individuals in
their job role. Therefore, it is easy to see how communication skills will help
them to complete their daily tasks and responsibility with greater ease.

4. Computer engineers who are said to be team players may also find that their job is
a lot easier overall.
➢ This is due to the fact that many computer engineers do not work in a bubble.
They are surrounded by colleagues and subordinates with whom they must
work well with in order to get the job done. If a computer engineer is a good
team player, getting the job done in an expedient fashion will be more likely
in that case.
5. An additional positive trait which will come in handy for computer engineers is
good speaking skills.
➢ Those who are good public speakers will find themselves better able to
disseminate information to groups of individuals and get their message
across in a clear and concise manner. Efficient public speaking skills are a
wonderful trait for computer engineers to possess.
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Computer Engineering History

References and Supplementary Materials

1. http://www.acm.org/education/education/curric_vols/CE-Final-Report.pdf Page 4
2. IEEE Computer Society; ACM (December 12, 2004). Computer Engineering 2004:
Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Computer
Engineering (PDF). p. iii. Retrieved December 17, 2012. Computer System engineering
has traditionally been viewed as a combination of both electronic engineering (EE)
and computer science (CS).
3. "Changing Majors @ Clemson". Clemson University. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
4. "Declaring a College of Engineering Major". University of Arkansas. Archived from the
original on October 12, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
5. https://www.ece.iastate.edu/the-department/history/history-of-computing
6. https://collegegrad.com/careers/computer-hardware-engineers
7. ^ https://www.sokanu.com/careers/software-engineer/
8. "John Vincent Atanasoff - the father of the computer". www.columbia.edu.
Retrieved December 5, 2017.
9. "Iowa State replica of first electronic digital computer going to Computer History
Museum - News Service - Iowa State University". www.news.iastate.edu.
Retrieved December 5,2017.
10. "1947: Invention of the Point-Contact Transistor". The Silicon Engine. Computer
History Museum. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
11. Lojek, Bo (2007). History of Semiconductor Engineering. Springer Science & Business
Media. pp. 120 & 321-323. ISBN 9783540342588.