Mechanical Engineering (ME) vs. Computer Science (CS)

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It might seem odd to draw a comparison between computer scientists and mechanical engineers. What could these professionals possibly have in common? A lot, it seems.

When one considers it, both fields design, develop, and test tools that make our lives and work easier—one just happens to do it in the digital realm and the other in the physical one. From their mathematical and scientific roots to the tools that make their work possible, mechanical engineers and computer scientists share a lot of common ground.

Both fields are expected to have a high growth rate. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021), the number of available mechanical engineering positions nationwide is expected to grow by 20,900 between 2020 and 2030—an increase of 7 percent overall. To put this into perspective, all industries across the country are slated to expand by an average of 8 percent in the same timeframe.

Computer and information research scientists‘ positions are expected to grow at a significantly higher rate. The BLS (2021) projected a 22 percent increase in openings for these professionals nationally between 2020 and 2030, which is almost three times faster than the average for all occupations.

As far as the salaries are concerned, the BLS (May 2021) reported an annual average salary of $97,000 among the 278,240 mechanical engineers. Computer and information research scientists had an annual average salary of $142,650 among the 30,840 professionals working in the country.

Read on to learn more about both fields, including important education and career information.

Similarities & Differences: CS vs. ME

One must know what mechanical engineers and computer scientists do before understanding how they relate to (and differ from) one another. Some general background:

Mechanical Engineers

All engineers identify and solve problems using math, science, and engineering principles. For mechanical engineers specifically, that means designing, developing, and testing physical tools and machinery, whether used in factories, power plants, or hospitals. Their skills apply to various industries and often put them at the leading edge of new industrial advances.

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Featured Mechanical Engineering Programs
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Computer Scientists

Like mechanical engineers, computer scientists identify and solve problems using many of the same mathematical and scientific principles. They also design, develop, and test tools—only their work advances computing solutions rather than physical devices. While some computer scientists focus on improving existing programs and technologies, many thrive in the research and development of whole new concepts and abilities.

Mechanical engineering and computer science certainly share many of the same intentions and problem-solving processes, if in different dimensions. However, this is where many of their similarities end. They must nurture different skills and knowledge, for example, and that affects their education. A mechanical engineer might be able to design some of the hardware upon which computer scientists rely, but only the latter can typically put those components to practical use. The reverse is also true. The next section offers a clear side-by-side comparison of mechanical engineering and computer science.

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A Side-By-Side Comparison: ME vs. CS

The following table provides an easy comparison between mechanical engineering and computer science jobs and degrees.

	Mechanical Engineering	Computer Science
What they do	Mechanical engineers design, develop, and test physical machines and devices, while computer scientists do so with digital concepts. Both strive to solve complex problems in their fields using a foundation of math and science. Mechanical engineers and computer scientists also have a place in many industries. Some choose to focus primarily on research, while others aim for practical applications of their skills.
Recommended degree	Mechanical engineers generally need at least a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, but employers increasingly prefer to hire candidates with master’s degrees. According to O*Net (2021), 83 percent of mechanical engineers held bachelor’s degrees.	The BLS reports that computer and information research scientists typically need a master’s degree in computer science or a related field. Students who intend to work in research may have to earn doctoral degrees. Education details are not available on ONet (2021); however, ONet May 2016 showed that 59 percent of computer scientists had master’s degrees.
The academic department overseeing most programs	College of Engineering Dept. of Mechanical Engineering Dept. of Mechanical Science and Engineering	Dept. of Computer Science Dept. of Computer & Information Science
Examples of degree tracks and specializations	Energy & Sustainability Engineering Management Nanotechnology Robotics Biomedical Engineering Manufacturing Vehicle Systems Heat Transfer and Thermodynamics System Dynamics & Control Joins & Welds	Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Information Management & Analytics Computational Robotics Computer & Network Security Computing Systems Modeling & Simulation Software Theory Human-Computer Interaction Data & Visual Analytics
Concepts taught	Colleges seeking accreditation by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) must develop a curriculum that prepares students to: Identify and solve complex engineering problems using math, science, and engineering processes Know the engineering design process and the savvy to use it in a myriad of industries Keep a working knowledge of the latest engineering concepts and best practices Design, conduct, and analyze mechanical engineering research Know—and be able to follow—professional responsibilities in an ethical way	According to ABET, computer science graduates should be able to: Apply knowledge of computing and mathematics as appropriate for their discipline Identify, analyze, and solve computer programs Design, implement, and evaluate computer-based systems, processes, programs, or components Understand and comply with the latest professional, ethical, legal, and security practices. Communicate their ideas clearly to audiences of varying computer knowledge
Five colleges that offer such degrees	Arizona State University University of North Dakota (Online option) The University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign (Online option) University of California– Berkeley Georgia Tech (Online option)	University of Florida (Online option) Cornell University University of Maryland University College (Online option) Old Dominion University (Online option) University of Texas–Austin
Possible career titles	Mechanical engineer Design engineer Aerospace engineer Auto research engineer Robotics engineer Systems design engineer Automotive engineer	Computer scientist Data scientist Robotics scientist Computer engineer Computer programmer Computer systems architect
Emerging opportunities in the field	According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2021), mechanical engineers are often involved in the very latest industrial pursuits, including alternative energies, nanotechnology, automation, and robotics.	Computer scientists take the lead in the rapid, ongoing evolution of computer technologies. Some of the most promising areas for future graduates include more sophisticated cybersecurity solutions, data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
Additional resources and professional organizations	American Society of Mechanical Engineers National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying National Society of Professional Engineers American Society for Engineering Education Technology Student Association	Association for Computing Machinery Computing Research Association Computing Technology Industry Association IEEE Computer Society Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals Center of Excellence for Information & Computing Technology Occupational Outlook Handbook: Computer and information research scientists
The bottom line	Mechanical engineers and computer scientists advance the limits of what we can do, if on a different plane. The professionals also support one another in several ways. Mechanical engineers use nanotechnology to build the ever smaller and more capable computer chips upon which computer scientists rely. Computer scientists, meanwhile, help develop the computer programs and processes that allow mechanical engineers to analyze important data and conduct analyses.

25 Top Professors of Mechanical Engineering

As with other engineering disciplines, mechanical engineering is complex, and the success of a mechanical engineering project can often be mission-critical. Given that, it is essential to learn from the best, and these professors represent the most accomplished and involved in the field, ready to inspire and impart their knowledge to a new generation of engineers.

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