Henry Samueli School of Engineering (University of California, Irvine)

The School of Engineering at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) was established in 1965 with the founding of the university. Seventy five students declared a major in engineering in fall of 1965. The academic plan for the School of Engineering at Irvine equally emphasized environmental engineering and scientific discovery and anticipated appointment of faculty in small groups according to research interests, rather than by departments, in order to provide critical units with ability to contribute to teaching and research almost from the date of their formation. Optimization theory, a new approach to computer-aided design and the synthesis of engineering systems, was an unusual component of the undergraduate program. Interaction with local industry through continuing education opportunities and research information exchange was also emphasized.In 2000 the school was renamed the Henry Samueli School of Engineering. It is comprised of five departments: Biomedical Engineering; Chemical Engineering and Materials Science; Civil and Environmental Engineering; Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The school offers numerous research centers, institutes and facilities, including the Center for Pervasive Communications and Computing, the Integrated Nanosystems Research Facility, the National Fuel Cell Research Center, the UC Irvine Combustion Lab, the Center for Embedded Computer Systems, the Center for Hydrometeorology and Remote Sensing, the Facility for RF Design and Characterization, the Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics, and the Micro/Nano Fluidics Fundamentals Focus Center.

From the description of University of California, Irvine, Henry Samueli School of Engineering publications, 1965 - 2003. (University of California, Irvine). WorldCat record id: 646918633

Historical Background

The School of Engineering at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) was established in 1965 with the founding of the university. Seventy five students declared a major in engineering in fall of 1965. The academic plan for the School of Engineering at Irvine equally emphasized environmental engineering and scientific discovery and anticipated appointment of faculty in small groups according to research interests, rather than by departments, in order to provide critical units with ability to contribute to teaching and research almost from the date of their formation. Optimization theory, a new approach to computer-aided design and the synthesis of engineering systems, was an unusual component of the undergraduate program. Interaction with local industry through continuing education opportunities and research information exchange was also emphasized.In 2000 the school was renamed the Henry Samueli School of Engineering. It is comprised of five departments: Biomedical Engineering; Chemical Engineering and Materials Science; Civil and Environmental Engineering; Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The school offers numerous research centers, institutes and facilities, including the Center for Pervasive Communications and Computing, the Integrated Nanosystems Research Facility, the National Fuel Cell Research Center, the UC Irvine Combustion Lab, the Center for Embedded Computer Systems, the Center for Hydrometeorology and Remote Sensing, the Facility for RF Design and Characterization, the Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics, and the Micro/Nano Fluidics Fundamentals Focus Center.

• 1965: UCI is founded. School of Engineering is established with a focus on electrical engineering. Robert M. Saunders becomes first dean.
• 1966: First Ph.D. degree in Engineering awarded at UCI (jointly with UC Berkeley).
• 1967: First M.S. degree in Engineering awarded at UCI.
• 1968: Program in Civil Engineering is established. First B.S. degree in Engineering awarded at UCI. Program in Engineering (Electrical) accredited by ECDP.
• 1969: Program in Environmental Engineering is established.
• 1970: Engineering Tower is constructed.
• 1974: James Henry Mulligan, Jr. becomes dean.
• 1978: Allen R. Stubberud becomes dean.
• 1983: Robert M. Saunders becomes acting dean.
• 1984: Gene H. Hostetter becomes acting dean.
• 1985: William A. Sirignano becomes dean.
• 1986: ICS/Engineering Research Facility is constructed.
• 1987: Engineering Laboratory Center is constructed.
• 1988: Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering is constructed.
• 1990: Rockwell Engineering Center is constructed.
• 1994: Engineering Gateway and Engineering Lecture Hall are constructed.
• 1995: Alen R. Stubberud becomes acting dean.
• 1997: Nicholas G. Alexopoulos becomes dean.
• 2000: School of Engineering is renamed the Henry Samueli School of Engineering.
• 2008: Rafael L. Bras becomes dean.

From the guide to the Henry Samueli School of Engineering publications, University of California, Irvine, 1965-2003, (University of California, Irvine. Library. Special Collections and Archives.)