Computer Engineering Vs Computer Science in Nigeria

Computer Engineering and Computer Science are two different courses offered by the Nigerian universities. Because they are not same is one of the reasons why you can see the two courses taught at same university in different Departments as Department of Computer Science and the Department of Computer Engineering. 

This page details the difference and  the similarities of the two courses in Nigeria. This will make you make a better decision about the career path you should take.  


Similarities of Computer Engineering and Computer Science 

Not much can be said about the similarities of both courses more than both:

  • Study the science and technology of computer and information systems. 
  • And both are accredited and control in Nigeria by the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN)

While the similarities between Computer Science and Computer Engineering is not much, the difference between the two is much more pronounced. 


Difference Between Computer Science and Compute Engineering 

  • Computer Engineers design and build computer system from ground up. They design layout and install all other parts: hardwares (motherboard, RAM, hard drive, graphic card and more) and software to make a complete computer system.  But a computer scientist design and build only software part of the computer. 
  • In Nigeria and in other part of the world somebody that studies computer science are called a Computer Scientist while those that study computer engineering are called Computer Engineers. 
  • A Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree is awarded on the completion of a study in Computer Science while a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree is awarded to somebody who have completed a degree in Computer Engineering. 
  • In Nigeria, Computer Science is a four (4) year course while Computer Engineering is a five (5) year course. 
  • While both courses are accredited and regulated by the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), Computer Engineering is also accredited by Council of Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) being an engineering courses. 


Which One Should You Choose? 

Computer Engineering 
This is where this post is important to you as a prospective students. 

If you are fascinated by knowing how computers are build, with hardwares and softwares configure to working in relation to one another and in the designing the interface you can choose to study computer engineering.  This is where the this course have an edge over computer science. 

You can also choose to study computer engineering if your aim is to become computer programmer, software engineer , forensic computer analyst, IT consultant, game developer, computer network developer and more.  

See:


For a list of universities which offer Computer Engineering as a degree programme in Nigeria. 


Computer Science 

Computer Scientists place emphasis on computing theory and the computer software and so if you are fascinated about cybersecurity, algorithms, data analysis, software development, programming languages, application development, numerical analysis and more you can choose this course.  


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