Growing the Fields: Engineering and Computer Science

What began at Baylor in 1980 as the merger of two departments — computer science and engineering science — became an established School of Engineering and Computer Science in 1995. Now, throughout this academic year, Baylor’s School of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) is celebrating 30 years of significantly investing in these burgeoning fields.

Adding force to the continued momentum of the school in recent years are the newest ECS degree offerings: a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering; a Bachelor of Science in computer engineering; a Bachelor of Science in informatics in cybersecurity; a Master of Science in materials science and engineering; and an accelerated B.S./M.S. that allows engineering students to complete both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years.

“We are intentionally tapping into the industry demands with our innovative degree offerings and recruiting faculty who are nationally recognized experts in their fields and who also are dedicated to the research and mentoring relationships within a Christian community. That’s the Baylor ECS difference that gives our students access to the discipline in ways they wouldn’t receive elsewhere,” Daniel Pack, Ph.D., dean of the School of Engineering and Computer Science, said.

In recognition of the demand for post-graduate opportunities in both fields, ECS also has developed two graduate professional certificates in computer systems engineering and microwave/RF engineering with credits from those certificates applying toward graduate degrees. More certificates are in the works in fields like artificial intelligence.

“In a global society that will face many technology challenges and opportunities in the future, we plan to create several pathways for our students to make an impact,” Pack said. “As we reflect on the past 30 years of ECS at Baylor and look to the next 30, we have a real opportunity to carve out distinction for Baylor University in the engineering and computer science spaces.”

Baylor ECS is hosting several events to celebrate the school’s 30 years with a signature event planned in the spring at the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center to showcase ECS faculty and student research endeavors to the Baylor Family, industry partners and the public.

For more information on the events planned in celebration of the 30th anniversary, visit ecs.baylor.edu/30th.