Hardware Emphasis

Although one can consider hardware and software separately, a computer engineer must take a more holistic approach. If an electronic device is to be called a computer, it must produce mathematically meaningful results. Similarly, any useful theory of computing must be physically realizable. The synthesis of the theory and algorithm which must take place before any useful computing can be achieved is the job of the computer engineer, and to produce such engineers is the mission of the Computer Engineering Program at UF.

Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, test, and oversee the installation of computer hardware and supervise its manufacture and installation. Hardware refers to computer chips, circuit boards, computer systems, and related equipment such as keyboards, modems, and printers. The work of computer hardware engineers is very similar to that of electronics engineers, but, unlike electronics engineers, computer hardware engineers work exclusively with computers and computer-related equipment. The rapid advances in computer technology are largely a result of the research, development, and design efforts of computer hardware engineers.


© 2006 University of Florida College of Engineering.