EE CS expert help - CE major but want RF background

[stan18]

Hi everyone,
It is so nice to have such as website to provide people(me) with some very good advice from expert in the field. First of all, thank you for reading/replying my post.

I'm going to be 3rd CE student in sept 07, however, I was in EE during 2nd year, I changed to CE because I want to have a more software oriented background. After I change to CE, I kinda of regret it because it means I can't take 3rd and 4th EM courses, (although i hate EM course the most during 2nd year). I am interested in wireless communication, but the 2nd year EM course I took is really boring and i got the lowest mark ever on that course! so that kinda upset me a little. I went into EE in the first place because I think there is many option in the program. Below is a list of what kind of interest me, (although i have never learn/touch them before!) so to me they only "sound" interesting,
- software eng, computer vision, distribute system,
- RF/Wireless comm, robotic, telecom, computer communication


So really the question is: Can I still be an RF engineer even if I am in the CE program and do not take upper EM courses( EM field and waves, Anntena and propagation. The upper EM courses at my university is restricted to EE student, so even if i want to take it, i can't.) Or is it ok to just learn the RF stuff after I got out of school?? (perhaps learn as i work in a company?)
I am currently in the software option of the CE program, that means I won't be even taking electronic II course during 3rd year. Is electronic II course necessary for develop RF system?

my school doesn't have EE major with minor CS, or double major in EE and CS degree... or I probably be happier now and wouldn't major in CE, i major in CE because there is software engineering, operating system classes to take

one question for you CS gurus, do you think CS grads write better code than EE grads?? I think EE grads are not a good programmer, are hey? since CS grads more specialized in aglorithm, so i think they probably write better code

by the way my school is University of British columbia in Canada

Thank you for all your input

 

[DefaultName]

Wow, while I was reading this, I almost thought you were my friend. He's in the same exact position as you now, as far as his major, year, interests, etc... If I had not known better, I would say you're him!

Anyway, as far as becoming an RF engineer, it would help to have a few courses in EM. I mean, that's what you're going to be doing right? You can always go the CE route, but learn EM yourself. Why not try an independent study? Remember, just cause you're a CE doesn't mean you can't/are not allowed/are not expected to do "EE" work. A CE is a EE.

If I were you, I would take those EM courses (switch to EE), but also a few CS courses as well on the side. It seems like for your career, you WANT to do some EM work. Only makes sense to be prepared in it, no? I think that you just have an interest in software and want to pick that up -- you can easily do that outside of school (summer, winter, school breaks, after you graduate).

As far as who is a better programmer, a CS or EE... it depends on who you're talking about. I am an EE undergraduate and I TA'd a CS Data Structures course, and most of it was comprised of CS students. What does that tell you? CS students are not always better at programming than EE students. In order to know how to program, you need to know how to tackle the theory first.

What about going to graduate school for EE and focus on RF topics? Have the company you work help you with tuition. That way, you get the software + EM background.

Good luck.

 

[waht]

NO!

In order to be an RF engineer you to have bachelors in EE first. EM is the cornerstone of RF design. It's like being able to understand Java and knowing nothing about the assembly language. Alot of microstrip circuit modeling requires heavy use of EM.

 

[stan18]

thanks for all ur inputs,
hey DefaultName, lol umm you in UBC too?
and CS is not only my interest, i have a serious thoughts about going into CS fields, such as AI, computer vision, while finisih my CE degree. but also want the best of EEs...

Anyhoo, I hate the 2nd year EM course i took, I don't know if it's the instructor's fault or the material just bores me. The prof wouldn't even post the solution to problem and that problem is on final which worth like 30% each omg... stoke, green theorem doesn't sense to me... does this mean I'm probably not suited for RF? why would you calculate EM force from a electron? argg and all that integral sh!t ...
I know this is contridictory... but does this mean I'm not interested in RF
If I were to work in communication field, am I require to have RF knowledge?
I think I also in interest going to communication in grad school, but does EM courses prepare better for it, or it doesn't matter if I take EM.

what are some of the topic in commmunication?