COMPUTER SCIENCE ENGINEERING (CSE) INTERVIEWEE: Grace Ye ’24 from Hopkinton, MA And here comes the major everyone knows...or do you really? Computer science engineering is frequently mistaken for computer engineering and vice versa. In these two sections, let’s clear up some misconceptions. First, CSE students focus primarily on the software side of computers. They work on algorithms for computer programs and digital tools. They also maintain operating systems and databases. As Grace recounts it, “one of my favorite parts of the program are the engineering classes, which give opportunities to practice coding skills and hands-on skills together, allowing us to combine our knowledge as a computer scientist and an engineer to think creatively and solve problems. This program not only teaches us how to be computer scientists, but also how to apply our skills to larger contexts to solve real-life problems.” Second, CSE students do not just program all day long. There are some branches in CSE that require more logic and problem-solving skills than coding. You do not have to be an expert in Java, SQL, C++, or Python to be a data analyst, a software tester, or a search engine optimization specialist. And if you develop excellent habits in commenting and enjoy writing, you could become a technical writer! So, don’t get scared away by the programming or math. As one of the most popular majors at Tufts and a quickly growing field, CSE opportunities are endless! There are numerous clubs and events (i.e. Tufts Polyhack, Women in Computer Science, JumboCode) that bring the CSE community together to solve problems, create apps, and gain experience. There are also many unique classes meant to encourage student exploration into CSE topic from cybersecurity to cryptology to web design. And many students research augmented reality or virtual reality—working on sensory gloves, X-ray imaging systems, and educational programs. Research in bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, and humancomputer interaction has also been gaining traction as professors partner with institutions like Logan Airport to develop scanning and targeting systems. In addition, students can find co-ops and internships in various fields ranging from data science and analytics to software development to video games. CSE goes beyond the code! COMPUTER ENGINEERING (CPE) INTERVIEWEE: Tom Lyons ’25 from from Wilder, VT We’ve explored computer science engineering, so let’s take a look at computer engineering. If you’ve ever wanted to know what makes a laptop or phone tick, then this is the discipline to check out! Although it’s only a few decades old, computer engineering has quickly risen to become one of the most popular fields around the world. Unlike those in computer science engineering, computer engineers examine hardware technology more deeply. CPE students, like Tom, will study the relationship between the hardware and software sides of computer systems. “As a computer engineer, I have the opportunity to get my hands dirty interacting with and building computer hardware, all while creating impressive software to control the hardware system. The coursework is challenging, but you get to 20
work with other passionate students to solve complex technical tasks and create something really cool. The major is fairly small, and the department feels like a little community where I've built strong relationships with my professors and classmates. The professors all want you to succeed, and it's pretty easy and common to get involved in the department or join a research group. I love being a computer engineer and couldn't recommend the major enough,” he says. They examine electrical components and programming interfaces in order to design and manufacture technological devices. Students learn how to make a computer rather than how to use a computer. CPE is a broad discipline well-suited to those who are interested in technology as a whole. Some of the most popular industries our CPE students join are aerospace, cybersecurity, networking, and computer design. Computer design is a rapidly growing field as more advances are made in microminiaturization. Some Tufts students are also working to increase the speed of computer processing by experimenting with parallel processors, superconducting materials, and artificial intelligence. DATA SCIENCE (DS) INTERVIEWEE: Taarika Bala ’24 from Princeton, NJ One of the hottest and newest majors on the scene—data science! It’s the buzzword among the computer science community—let’s see why. Data science is currently one of the most promising, in-demand fields. With the amount of data produced every day due to the web, it’s an information tsunami! That’s where data scientists come in. Effective data scientists gather, organize, analyze, maintain, and communicate trends so others can make data-driven decisions. Sounds like a lot, right? Data scientists are the cowboys of the computer world, wrangling herds of data into metaphorical fences. According to Taarika, “data science is one
of the fastest growing fields today. Yet, very few colleges actually offer data science as a major for undergrads. Tufts has an amazing program that is constantly evolving and accepting feedback from students and alumni. The program provides a strong foundation in math and CS, requires disciplinary breadth in a field of our choice, and still allows room for fun classes in our schedules. Jumbo DS majors are well-rounded, competitive candidates for a wide range of opportunities such as data, machine learning, and software engineering, as well as data science, data analysis, statistics, and research.” Students will learn how to analyze data to solve real-world problems through techniques such as statistics, data visualization, and machine learning. And with the co-op program, students can gain valuable industry experience and put the skills they learn—from SQL programming and modeling to technical communications—to the test! ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING (EE) INTERVIEWEE: Victor Vazquez ’25 from Brockton, MA Do you admire Ben Franklin and his lightning kite experiment? May I introduce you to electrical engineering…a way less dangerous way to play Zeus? As you can guess, electrical engineering is all about electricity! More specifically, this field focuses on utilizing electrical energy and providing the maximum possible power with minimal waste. “I love the fact that electrical engineering is such a staple in our modern civilization and allows us to do amazing things. Knowing how these systems work is fascinating to me, and being able to create sustainable electrical systems and contributing to renewable energy technology is my main reason for pursuing electrical engineering,” Victor says. The EE major has two tracks. Students can concentrate on analog EE, which is more physics-driven as classes are focused on wires and waves. They can also take the digital EE path, which is more data-focused