Both branches might sound similar and have some overlapping commonalities but the workflow behind each field of work requires a different set of skills and area of understanding.
For instance, computer science is dealing with the relation between hardware parts and software. Software engineering focuses on design and software architecture.
If you are considering one of both fields keep reading to review the main differences in comparison, salary, workflow, and how they both connect.
What is Computer Science?
Computer science is the combined study of computers with computational systems.
Speaking of computer science it includes everything from hardware to basic software, operations, database systems, user interactions, and processing.
Computer science has a wide range of definitions but to summarise, we shall simply say that it covers everything about computers.
It is interesting how computer scientists also study some general principles of software engineering because both branches are really close to each other’s field of work and many things are similar.
What is a Software Engineer?
The straightforward answer here is programming.
Software engineers in other words are programmers. Their duty is developing, maintaining, and evaluating computer software.
For instance, every SaaS – Software as a Service company has at least two main developers. The team can also contain lower-level software engineers responsible for cleaning the code, for example, or assisting the main developers.
Furthermore, the software engineers are also performing quality assurance checks, test its efficiency and apart from the R&D – Research and Development department, software engineers are considered to be the headmasters in the office.
Top 7 Differences Between Computer Science and Software Engineering
Even though there are many similar aspects of both branches, there are many key differences that you need to understand before we can identify which one suits you better.
Here are our picks of differences to help you associate each of the disciplines with its required set of skills.
1. Software & Hardware Interaction
The computer engineer can be an employee of a software company and actively participate in the design and development of the specifications for the company software product.
As far as the computer scientist can complete daily tasks, support with monitoring, troubleshooting issues, installations, and all kinds of different duties.
Software engineers are mainly focusing on software development where computer scientists could be responsible for many things.
2. Education
Computer scientists and software engineers have a lot of things in common when it comes to their required education.
Both personas started in computer schools and later universities where they studied a lot of overlapping core principles.
However, to review that in-depth, computer scientists often participate in computing analysis, storage management, data application, and software.
On the other hand, software engineers are applying the same core principles in the software itself, interacting with its design, performance, and different aspects.
3. Job Tasks
Regardless if you are working in a software company or you independently contract clients, as a computer scientist you will complete daily tasks such as analysing and monitoring the process of a computer application.
You might be responsible for maintaining the company network security, but here we step into information technology, which is not exactly computer science.
As far as the software engineers under the same conditions may work to develop specific software programs with complex designs and features.Innovation could be another duty of a software engineer as the market is constantly looking for new things.
For instance, sometimes software engineers are required to develop a new feature in certain software, because of a client request or inquiry. Software products are facing different workflows with every sale and issues are constantly appearing.
Software engineers are the personas responsible for the software quality and capability of providing the demanded.
In the meantime, computer scientists could be actively participating in software support where troubleshooting technical issues is a daily concern.
4. Software Architecture
This is a clear example of how both branches connect and at the same time, computer scientists are actively assisting the software engineers.
When it comes to software design and architecture, computer scientists can work with theories and algorithms for some of the software functionalities, as far as the engineers are using the data later to design the framework of a specific program build.
5. Computer Coding
Sometimes when employed computer scientists and software engineers are usually both focusing on coding and computer languages.
However, in that case, usually, computer scientists are learning how to use new codes to improve the software as far as the engineers, apply the innovations in building the core of a software application.
They are both connected but if you are going to work as a software developer, it requires you to have a coding degree or at least a course. As far as the computer scientists their duties can be different depending on the company, where a computer science degree is enough to start.
6. Data & Product Management
Another difference between computer science and software engineering would be the complexity of software programs and algorithms.
The scientist field of work includes sequences, structures, and most of the time visuals and graphics interaction.
Software engineers, on the other hand, are processing the evaluation, testing, and designing of the software product and allow it to interact with complex databases.
7. Career & Salary
Lastly, we should not forget to mention the different career paths and salaries.
In general software engineers have been on a long journey in order to be where they are.
There is not much to climb on the latter for software engineers as they are the most important department in each company. Their salary is significantly generous compared to the computer scientist, which has a long road ahead of them with many career opportunities.
The typical software engineer salary is around $105,000 per year where the computer scientists could vary between $70,000 and $90,000.
Keep in mind that these numbers are average calculations and your salary depends on the company’s net worth and your position.
How to Choose Which is Best For You?
Since both fields of work are really close to each other, we thought you might need some orientation tips that can help you identify which one is better for you.
Identify Your Interests
Now when you know the difference between both specialties, based on your education you can easily determine which one is better for you.
If you have a background and interest in computer systems, hardware, and OS experience you can easily get employed as an R&D, technical support, or in the hardware department.
Software engineers, on the other hand, have previous knowledge of coding.
When we say coding we mean advanced level in at least 2 programming languages to get employed as a software developer.
If you, however, know to code and you are willing to learn and improve your skills, you can always be a part of the developer’s team.
Determine Your Level
You should know that the real-world applications that you are going to get involved in, will be pretty much nothing like you’ve been taught in the universities.
If you have a certain computer degree and you don’t have any previous experience you should be willing to learn hard and deliver before recognition. Education is meant to teach us how to think in a manner that in the computer world will be helpful.
That manner of thinking focuses on problem solving and complexities. Everything that will be helpful later, but you can’t expect to work with the same software as in school.
Even if you intermediate and you are considering switching sides you should be prepared for a giant new portion of new skills you need to acquire.
In addition, you might think of computer science as the entrance to software engineering.
Both ways you will have the opportunity to learn many interesting things in software development and hardware.
It depends on the company and position you’re working in. In some places, you might even learn many things about networking, licensing, and marketing.
These things will later help you determine what your interests are and what is the next step in your career.
Bottom Line
Based on everything you know about computer science and software engineering, you now have a clear vision of what’s ahead of you.
However, it all depends on which path you wish to proceed in your career, which does not mean that you can never become a software engineer if you are in the circle of computer science.
Software engineers tend to attract higher salaries according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for a reason. Software developers are pretty much at the highest level where the room for improvement is only switching different projects.
It always means new things to learn, which is considered an improvement.
Choosing any of both branches is a really good career choice. The road is full of new and challenging things but once mastered you have space for improvement and rewarding benefits.
Good Luck!
Related Content:
Computer Engineering vs Electrical Engineering: The Difference
Now We’d Like to Hear From You
There you have it: the difference between computer science and software engineering.
Now we’d like to hear what you have to say:
Has this guide helped you find the difference between both topics?
Or maybe you are a computer scientist or software engineer?
Either way, let us know by leaving a quick comment below.