About CS
Just a few years after the design and development of the Electronic
Numerical Integrator And Computer (ENIAC), the University of New
Brunswick Computing Centre purchased its first computer in 1959. It was
an LGP-30 with a CPU, Flexo-writers, a paper tape photo reader, and a
punch. In 1964, UNB purchased a new machine, an IBM1620-II and
installed it in March 1964. In keeping with the tradition of providing
the best computing services to the students and the clients, in January
1968 UNB rented and installed an IBM 360/50.
Credit and
non-credit computing courses were developed in parallel with the
expansion of computing facilities. This expansion resulted in the
establishment of a computing centre in 1964 and of the Department of
Computer Science in 1968/69. Prior to the establishment of the
department, several credit courses were offered by the Department of
Electrical Engineering. The Computer Science Department also offered
undergraduate courses in support of other degree programs. The M.Sc.
(CS) degree program was established at that time and has since grown to
be one of the largest in the Atlantic Provinces. The establishment of a
Masters Degree in Computer Science, which initially admitted bachelor
students largely from Mathematics and Engineering, provided a quick
short-term solution to the shortage of computing processionals required
by the rapidly expanding computer centres and computer industry. The
first Master of Science in Computer Science graduated in 1970.
The
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.Sc. (CS) degree program was
established in 1972 in response to the demand from the marketplace and
by students. In 1974 the Department of Computer Science became the
School of Computer Science, and was made a Faculty in 1990 (The first
Computer Science faculty in Canada).
The School’s master program
remained relatively constant during the rapid expansion of the
undergraduate program during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. The
School experienced a substantial increase (41%) in graduate student
enrollment in 1983/84 academic year. The undergraduate BCS program has
been nationally accredited since 1987.
The School’s Co-operative
Education program became operational in May 1982 and soon after
received accreditation from the Canadian Association for Co-operative
Education (CAFCE). In its second year of operation (1982/83 academic
year) it had approximately 40 students and a dozen employers. The Coop
program was established to provide relevant work experience for the
Computer Science students. The PhD program was established in 1986.
In
2000 the Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering was established as
a joint undergraduate program with the Faculty of Engineering. The
Bachelor of Information System was established in 2007.
The
Faculty of Computer Science has relationships with the government and
regional industry through the Co-op program and the ITC, and our
faculty members serve on provincial, national, and industry boards,
councils and committees. The faculty is engaged in research with
government and industry.
