Choosing between Computer Science (CS), Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE), and Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences (EECS) can be challenging—especially when the lines between them often blur. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you find your path:
Focuses on software, theory, and computational systems. CS students dive deep into programming, algorithms, data structures, artificial intelligence, and software engineering. If you’re passionate about designing apps, building scalable systems, or developing new algorithms, CS is likely your best fit.
Bridges hardware and software. ECE majors explore the physical systems behind computing—like circuits, sensors, embedded systems, signal processing, and computer architecture. It’s a great choice if you’re excited about building devices, optimizing performance at the hardware level, or working with robotics and electronics.
EECS is where innovation happens at the intersection. It’s not just a combination of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science—it’s a launchpad for students who want to forge their own path across hardware and software.
In EECS, you might explore how circuits enable machine learning, how embedded systems power intelligent devices, or how quantum hardware could transform computing as we know it. If you’re drawn to both the physical world of engineering and the abstract power of computation—and you don’t want to choose just one—EECS offers the flexibility to dive into both, and the tools to create something entirely new.
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a niche field—it’s woven into nearly every aspect of technology today. Whether you’re tuning an algorithm in CS, building smart hardware in ECE, or doing both in EECS, you’ll inevitably encounter AI concepts and applications.
That’s the beauty of an EECS education: the boundaries are fluid. No matter which major you choose, you’ll find opportunities to explore the intersection of disciplines, collaborate across domains, and contribute to the AI-driven innovations shaping our world.
| College of Engineering ECE Major | College of Engineering EECS Major | College of Computing, Data Science, and Society CS Major |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | Admitted directly to the major. (Students must apply directly to ECE at admission if interested) | Admitted directly to the major. (Students must apply directly to EECS at admission if interested) | Admitted directly to the major. (Students should apply directly to CS at admission if interested) |
| Degree earned | Bachelors of Science | Bachelor of Science | Bachelor of Arts |
| Differences in major requirements | Ethics requirement; requires Physics, Multi-variable Calculus, and other science electives; requires 3 ECE Major Breadths and 16 upper division units in EE, EECS and select CS classes. | Ethics requirement; requires Physics, Multi-variable Calculus, and other science electives; requires 20 upper division units in EECS. | No ethics requirement; requires 20 upper division units in EE/CS + 4 technical elective units. |
| Differences in college requirements | 2-course R&C sequence; 4 Social Sciences/Humanities courses | 2-course R&C sequence; 4 Social Sciences/Humanities courses | 2-course R&C sequence; computational reasoning, statistical reasoning, and human and social dynamics of data and technology requirements; 7 breadth requirements (Arts & Lit, Biological Science, Historical Studies, International Studies, Philosophy & Values, Physical Science, Social & Behavioral Sciences) |
| Who should consider this major? | Students who prefer a traditional STEM curriculum; students who want to focus solely on EE including neurotechnology, integrated circuits, microelectronics, nanotechnology, computer architecture, sensing and communication, robotics and sustainable energy systems; and students who are certain about their major choice at the time of admission. | Students who prefer a traditional STEM curriculum; students who may wish to emphasize in EE; and students who are certain about their major choice at the time of admission. | Students who prefer breadth in courses outside their major; students who want to focus in CS and are not as interested in EE. |
| Accepts AP credit? | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
*Please note this comparison chart will be updated as new information becomes available.
Last updated: August 5, 2025