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History of Computer Science

Computer Science at UNLV has come a long way since it began in the late 1970's as a handful of computing courses offered by the Mathematics Department as a concentration area. Drs. John Werth and Steve Sherman expanded on this initial core to develop a complete curriculum that culminated in 1980 with the award of the first Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree.

In 1984, Computer Science had grown enough to join Electrical Engineering in the formation of a new department. By this time, the faculty included eight full-time professors and offered programs leading to B.A., B.S., and M.S. degrees. The late 1980's were a time of rapid change. In 1986 the School of Engineering, which included the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, was approved and eventually became the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering in 1989. At the same time the Computer Science program moved into the Thomas Beam Engineering Complex. By 1990, Computer Science became a standalone department and in 1994 began its Ph.D. program. In 1992, the Bachelor of Science degree program was fully accredited by the Computing Science Accreditation Board. Most recent developments, include the reclassification of the Department of Computer Science as the School of Computer Science, an expanded, full-time faculty of 15, the opening of a dedicated undergraduate computer lab, funding for several new special-purpose computing labs, and preparation for the next accreditation visit by ABET in 2007.

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School of Computer Science
Howard Hughes College of Engineering
4505 Maryland Parkway Las Vegas, NV 89154-4019
Phone: (702)-895-3681 Fax: (702)895-2639

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