Media Advisory: UB kicks off celebration for 50 years of computer science and engineering

BUFFALO, N.Y. — From mainframes to smartphones, the history of computing in Western New York will take center stage this week at the University at Buffalo.

Starting tonight, alumni from around the world — including graduates who work for Google, Microsoft, Bloomberg and other household names — will return to Buffalo to celebrate the Department of Computer Science and Engineering’s (CSE) 50th anniversary.

News media are invited to check out the celebration. There is a welcome reception and undergraduate research demonstration tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. at Davis Hall on UB's North Campus.

Additional events are available in this program guide: https://engineering.buffalo.edu/computer-science-engineering/news-events/cse50.program.html.

“At 50 years, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering is stronger than ever. Our student body is growing. We have more faculty members than ever before. Our research funding is rising,” says Chunming Qiao, chair of CSE and SUNY Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and Engineering.

The event comes as CSE is experiencing tremendous growth.

For example, there are a combined 1,683 undergraduate (declared major) and graduate students studying computer science and engineering this fall. That’s up from 846 students in 2012. Meanwhile, the number of intended majors this fall is 414, up from 125 students five years ago.