What is Computer Engineering?(CE)

Information technology (IT) is an umbrella term that encompasses disciplines dealing with the computer and its functions. These disciplines originated from interests in using the computer to solve problems, the theory of computation, and the development of the computer and its components. Professionals from around the world with similar interests in IT came together and formed international professional organizations. The professional organizations span the disciplines of computer engineering (CE), computer science (CS), software engineering (SE), computer information systems (CIS), management information systems (MIS), and information technology (IT) (Freeman & Aspray, 1999). Note that information technology is both an umbrella term and a specific discipline under that umbrella. These organizations exist to promote their profession and one method of promotion is through education. So, these professional organizations defined bodies of knowledge around the computer, which have been formalized and shaped as model curriculums. The organizations hope that colleges and universities will educate students in the IT disciplines to become knowledgeable professionals. Because of the common interest in computing, there is a basic theory and a common technical core that exists among the model curricula (Denning, 1999; Tucker et al., 1991). Nevertheless each of the model curricula emphasizes a different perspective of IT. Each fills a different role in providing IT professionals. It falls upon the colleges and universities to select and modify the corresponding curriculum model to fit their needs.