DSP for computer engineers DSP is more kindred with electrical engineering than with computer science, how ever there are topics of DSP like MP3 encoding, JPEG compression and sound analysis can be understood by a computer engineer (with a previous strong math background in Z transform and Fourier series).

For a BS in computer science that only have very basic knowledge in electronic, is there a way to name that kind of specialization in DSP? I.e. someone who is looking to create DSP algorithms that can be run from a computer but not looking to implement them in a custom piece of hardware.

My question is mostly related for a computer science student who wants to apply for a master degree in an international university (no knowledge in analogic circuits, hardware description languages or microprocessors)

Would applied math, be a better approach??
DSP is a domain mixed between EE/CE and Math/CS. Hardware must be built, but also software written.

Some CS programs do touch DSP at the software level. An applied math program would touch even more the algorithmic side, since pretty much all DSP techniques are based on certain mathematical areas such as Fourier analysis, Complex analysis and Numerical analysis. An EE program might have a specialisation on DSP, covering both the hardware and software sides but at a more "applied", less "proof mathematical" level, than what mathematics programs do.

The field is that wide though that it might also be better to focus on only one thing and do it well, rather than think in a "jack of all trades" way, i.e. too broadly. That is, if your interest is in software and mathematics, then focus on those. If your interest is in hardware, then focus on that. Applied math is sort of a middle ground. It's both theoretical, but it will lack practice such as electronics design, even if it'd give you conceptual tools for understanding electromagnetism and digital logic.