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Spotlight on Department

The first EE course

Physics Prof. Carhart taught dynamo-electric machinery 16 years before the department was founded.
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From Physics to EE

The origins of EE lie in the physics department, and early courses were taught in that building’s basement.
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The Department is born

In 1905, with George Patterson as its first chair, the Electrical Engineering Department was founded.
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When “Drawing Class” was a Thing

Early coursework in EE was rough – try sketching all your designs by hand!
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The Stump Speakers

Sigma Rho Tau used to help students practice presenting their work with the Stump Speakers group.
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Human Computers from Pioneer HS

Prof. Senior recalls how calculations were done in the 1950’s.
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The Computer and the VLSI Revolution

The education of modern computer hardware and design at Michigan can be traced back to the 1960s.
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Sponsored Research comes to the Midwest

Department Chair William Gould Dow was responsible for bringing industry- and government-sponsored research to Michigan.
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Introducing Computer Engineering

1971: The Department changed its name from Electrical Engineering to Electrical and Computer Engineering, and a new UG program in computer engineering is created.
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Sponsored Research comes to the Midwest

Department Chair William Gould Dow was responsible for bringing industry- and government-sponsored research to Michigan.
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Introducing Computer Engineering

1971: The Department changed its name from Electrical Engineering to Electrical and Computer Engineering, and a new UG program in computer engineering is created.
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1984: EECS Department

ECE joins with CCS and CICE to become the EECS Department in 1984.
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The move North

In 1983, a $30M building on North Campus was approved. Three years later, most moved into the new EECS Building.
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First female faculty

In 1980, Janice Jenkins was the first woman hired as a faculty member in the department.
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First black faculty

Prof. Leo McAfee was committed to outreach among minority students throughout his nearly 40 years at U-M.
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Amateur Radio Club

Founded in 1913, U-M had one of the first student amateur radio clubs in the United States.
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