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About the Course

Computers are becoming increasingly accessible, user-friendly, and reliable because hardware and software engineers across all industries are working to design, develop and test new strategies and ideas daily. If you’re passionate about computer design, operations, or maintenance, hardware or software engineering may be the industry for you.

This professionally accredited course focuses on the engineering and integration of hardware and software systems. The course encourages you to think creatively and independently and aims to prepare you to meet the challenges of the rapidly changing technological environment.

This course is designed to bridge the gap between electronics/hardware engineering and computer science/software engineering. The course covers most aspects of software while focusing on advanced hardware design and system design based on microcontrollers.

Hardware engineering is the act of designing, developing, testing, and producing physical computer systems. Hardware engineers are typically detail-oriented and have extensive knowledge about all physical components of a computer system.

Hardwear and Software Engineering Difference

Hardwear Engineering

A hardware engineer’s job duties may include:

• Working in a lab to run tests and analyze data
• Troubleshooting processes related to computer hardware functionality
• Helping a company or organization update and repair computer systems
• Creating models and prototypes of new systems
• Monitoring the production, installation, and manufacturing of computer hardware systems
• Assembling and testing computer parts like circuit boards, chips, and processors

Software engineering is the process of designing, developing, and testing computer software programs such as online games, applications, network control systems, and operating systems. Software engineers typically work in teams to develop and troubleshoot computer programs, often using their creative and analytical skills in the process.

 Software Engineering

A software engineer’s job duties may include:

• Drawing and outlining software diagrams and models for developers to code
• Researching to develop more user-friendly programs
• Testing and monitoring a software program’s performance
• Updating existing software systems
• Collecting and analyzing data to track software performance and planning for future updates
• Testing and monitoring a software program’s performance
• Overseeing the implementation of new software systems

Both hardware and software engineers work closely with computers to design, maintain and develop operating systems. However, hardware engineers focus on the physical components of a computer system while software engineers work on the virtual aspects. For example, a software engineer probably designed code for your favorite computer game, and a hardware engineer provided the appropriate physical computer system to create and design that game. Both hardware and software engineering job duties require extensive knowledge and experience with computers. 

Skills Acquired 

Hardware and software engineers both need strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and operations analysis skills to excel in their fields. However, both jobs also require different, specific sets of skills to be successful.

Hardware and software engineering skills include:

• Problem-solving
• Systems Evaluation
• Organization
• Technology design
• Mathematics
• Quality control analysis
• Multi-tasking
• Data collection and analysis
• Computer installation
• Programming
• Computer instruction and training
• Collaboration
• Time management
• Coordination

Career Prospects

Both hardware and software engineers need at least a bachelor’s degree to work in the field. Most computer engineers get their degrees in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, or related fields. Employers also may seek out computer engineers with master’s degrees, internship experience, and additional training certifications to find the most qualified and knowledgeable candidates. Both hardware and software engineers need to be extremely comfortable with computer operations to be successful in the industry.