The unparalleled growth and development of UCF's College of Engineering and Computer Science is one of those community success stories that can make us all justifiably proud. Chartered in 1963, the first students arrived in 1968, with initial enrollment numbering 188 in the College. In the Fall of 2001, enrollment was about 4,900, placing UCF in the top 16 percent of all similar colleges in the United States. The charter faculty numbered 8, today 143, plus about 30 from other colleges and institutes holding joint appointments in the College. Three minority and three women students were enrolled in the charter class, today there are over 1400 minority and 900 women.

At the first commencement in 1970, three Engineering Degrees were awarded. During 2000-2001, over 750 B.S.E., B.S.E.E., B.S.C.E., B.S.CpE, B.S.Computer Science, B.S.E.E., B.S.E.T., B.S.E.E.T., B.S.E.T., B.S. EnvE, B.S.I.E., B.S. Information Systems Technology, B.S.M.E., M.S., M.E. and Ph.D. degrees were awarded. Currently, there are more than 13,000 UCF engineering and computer science alumni serving in all areas of professional practice.

The College is the administrative arm of three engineering Departments, (Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, CECE, Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, IEMS and Mechanical Materials and Aerospace Engineering, MMAE), a School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (SEECS), an Engineering Technology Department (ENT), and two ROTC units. There are nine baccalaureate degree programs, 16 masters programs, and eight Ph.D. programs within the College.

In 1968, the faculty and students were housed in the library and two "borrowed" laboratories in the Chemistry Building. Today, the College occupies over 128,000-sq. ft. of office, classroom, and laboratory space. The laboratory complex includes over 50 specialized facilities and nearly 20 million dollars worth of equipment. Our College has become a showcase for modern education, and represents an unprecedented accomplishment for an institution celebrating its thirty-third anniversary.

Sponsored research performed by faculty and students over the past 33 years totals over $90 million with the annual rate expected to exceed $12 million during the next year. This activity includes many projects covering a wide variety of topics: environmental, miniaturization, materials, bio-engineering, micro-electronics, space flight, computers, software, simulation, structures, foundations, energy, natural disasters, instrumentation, information highway, electro-optics, acoustics, power generation, design automation, tribology, expert systems, superconductivity, neural networks, artificial intelligence, etc. The resulting work product (publications, reports, documents, and monographs) now numbers in the tens of thousands, including a number of significant books and patents.

The College has developed vision and mission statements that are part of its strategic plan. We are a community of scholars dedicated to high quality education and research for the community, which trusts us.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science seeks students who desire a challenging technical career in research and development, design, technical sales, manufacturing, management, teaching, or other professions requiring a methodical and creative solution to problems. The internationally recognized faculty of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, together with its strong curricula of undergraduate and graduate program provides an opportunity for ambitious, responsible graduates to become the leaders of our increasingly technological world.

Because of the significance of science and technology to our everyday lives, today's engineer and computer scientist must also be aware of the impact of his or her creations on society. In addition to the public health and welfare, aesthetics, economics, and energy-use implications, CECS graduates must also consider environmental, sociological, and other "humanistic" costs.

The CECS will nurture an environment where principles such as integrity, duty, respect, courage, justice and thoughtfulness are important values that should be inherent to today's engineer and computer scientist. Our engineering and computer science students will be encouraged to discover the heights of their own potential, to develop an understanding of, and an appreciation for, other cultures and traditions, and to take pride in themselves as they take the path toward higher knowledge.

The College will continue to grow in student numbers and expand its programs as it aspires to help the University of Central Florida earn a national reputation. Through excellence in teaching and graduate research, the College will have earned national and international recognition.

Despite financial challenges for the College, as well as the University, a result of budget stagnation and cutbacks, the College has progressed while providing and maintaining quality programs. This has been achieved through the continuous efforts of the College to supplement the state funds with resources acquired through research grants, fellowships, private donations, and gifts. Future plans include increased, proactive efforts in pursuing additional funding resources. Committees and advisory boards will be working diligently to promote the College and faculty and create a working relationship with our industrial partners. The CECS of the future will include the attainment of endowed chairs and endowed professorships.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science has a vision for the future that is made possible through the dedication of the administrators, faculty, and staff associates within the college who are committed to the students whom they serve.

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