Research
College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS)
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 2005, enrollment is over 5,700, placing UCF in the top 5 percent for undergraduate enrollment and top 10 percent for graduate enrollment in the United States. The charter faculty numbered 8, today 154, plus about 22 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 1,600 minority and close to 900 women students.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, the College has awarded close to 16,000 degrees (undergraduate and graduate) since 1968, contributing significantly to the regional and national engineering and computer science workforce.
The College is the administrative arm of three engineering Departments, (Civil and Environmental Engineering, CEE; 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. CECS offers 13 undergraduate programs, 14 master degree programs, and 8 doctoral degree programs. The undergraduate programs are ABET-accredited.
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 18 million dollars worth of equipment. Our College has become a showcase for modern education, and represents an unprecedented accomplishment for an institution celebrating its forty-second anniversary.
Sponsored research performed by CECS faculty and students over the past 42 years totals nearly $170 million. This activity includes many projects covering a wide variety of topics: environmental, nanotechnology, transportation, materials, bio-engineering, micro-electronics, space flight, computers, software, simulation, structures, foundations, energy, natural disasters, instrumentation, electro-optics, acoustics, power generation, design automation, 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 nurtures 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 are 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 the tremendous grown in student numbers and associated financial challenges, the College continues to provide high quality programs. This has been achieved through the continuous efforts of the College to supplement 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 faculty, staff, and administrators within the college who are committed to the students whom they serve.
Expanding Your Horizons
EYH, an outreach event to middle school girls to promote engineering in February 2009.
CECS FACT
Part of the CECS facilities include a 5,000 sq. ft. Harris Computer Lab, a 6,000 sq. ft. Advanced Manufacturing Lab, and many specialty labs for each department.
