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Which degree is better: software engineering or petroleum engineering?

Question:

Which degree is better: software engineering or petroleum engineering?

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Answer:

Whether software engineering or petroleum engineering is the better degree depends on perspective. The two degrees have little in common. Students with an aptitude for computer science are more likely to think software engineering is the better degree. Students with an aptitude for hydrocarbons are more likely to think petroleum engineering is the better degree.

Software engineering students learn how to design, test, and install software applications and programs for computer systems. To acquire the skills and knowledge needed for this work, they study topics such as artificial intelligence, algorithms, machine learning, cloud computing, computer programming and coding, data and discrete structures, data science, and information security.

Petroleum engineering students learn how to extract hydrocarbons, typically natural gas or crude oil, from the Earth's surface. To acquire the skills and knowledge needed for this work, they study topics such as properties of hydrocarbons, petrophysics, petroleum reservoir engineering, reservoir characteristics, well logging, well and drilling design, drilling technology, natural gas engineering, technology for offshore petroleum, and mechanical earth modeling.

For more information about software engineers, check out this article: How to Become a Software Engineer: Education & Career Requirements

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