Finding Aid for Biological Computer Laboratory Publications, 1957-1976 | University of Illinois Archives

Title: Biological Computer Laboratory Publications, 1957-1976

ID: 11/6/834

Primary Creator: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Extent: 10.3 cubic feet

Arrangement: Publications are arranged under the categories: Proposals, Technical Reports, B.C.L. Publications, B.C.L Reports, and B.C.L. Summaries. Proposals and technical reports are arranged alphabetically by grant contract, and by the original BCL numbering system within. B.C.L. Publications, Reports, and Summaries are arranged by the BCL numbering system. Duplicates are arranged in the same manner at the end of the collection.

Subjects: Biological Computer Laboratory, Computers, Cybernetics, Science and Technology

Languages: English

Biological Computer Laboratory Publications including proposals, reports, technical reports and publications lists for research projects supported by the Air Force, Navy and National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracts and grants for research on the technological realization of computational mechanisms observed in living organisms, the theory and application of computational principles, the mechanization of cognitive processes, direct access intelligence systems and information processing. This series includes a looseleaf BCL publications binder containing 148 microfiche of all BCL publications (1957-76) on cybernetics, cognitive studies, ecology and related research projects. Two fiche provide an author index and a BCL index by publications category. 115 fiche are arranged alphabetically by author. Duplicates of the publications are included at the end of the collection.

Electrical Engineering courses started as a division of the Physics Department in 1891. The Trustees approved a course in Electrical Engineering in 1891.¹ The University of Illinois was comparatively late in offering a course in Electrical Engineering, but by 1894 the Department compared favorably with other Engineering Departments in equipment and facilities.² The work of administration and instruction in Physics and Electrical Engineering separated temporarily into two departments in 1895, but were joined thereafter until 1898 when the department of Electrical Engineering was established as a separate unit.³ In 1919 the objectives were: to prepare men to engage in design, care and maintenance of electrical apparatus of all kinds.⁴ In 1972 the department's aims were to prepare men for responsible engineering positions in research, development, design, operation, sales, and administration in the fields of communication, computers, electronics and electrical power.⁵ In 1940, the Department absorbed the Department of Railway Engineering and its laboratory when that department was dissolved.⁶ Interdisciplinary courses are offered in conjunction with the departments of Astronomy, Biophysics, Computer Science, Mathematics, and the Coordinated Science Laboratory.⁷ From 1968 onward, computer science starts making an appearance in the electrical engineering curriculum. A specified sequence of electrical engineering courses enables specialization in the area of computer science.⁸

On February 16, 1984, the Board of Trustees received for record the president's report of Senate approval of a name change to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering to reflect "the breadth of emphasis" in the department.⁹

ECE includes the following departments:

--Analog Computer Laboratory

--Biophysical Research Laboratory

--Vermilion River Observatory:

Completed in 1962, the Vermilion River Observatory was the site of the University's radio telescope, which was used in the study of signals from radio sources in space. The project was financed by the Office of Naval Research and the

Astronomy and Electrical Engineering Departments:

--Radio Research Laboratory (1974)

1. Board of Trustees Transactions, 16th Report, March 11, 1891, p. 75.

2. Board of Trustees Transactions, 17th Report, 1894, p. 332.

3. Baker and King, History, 1:443.

4. University of Illinois Bulletin, Vol 16, no. 19, Jan. 6, 1919, p. 10.

5. Undergraduate Study Catalog, 1971-72, p. 285.

6. Baker and King, History, 1:504.

7. Research in Electrical Engineering, 1966, p. 88, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois.

8. University of Illinois Bulletin, Vol. 65, No. 109, May 1, 1968.

9. Board of Trustees Transactions, 62nd Report, Feb. 16, 1984, p. 485.

Biological Computer Laboratory
Computers
Cybernetics
Science and Technology

Repository: University of Illinois Archives

Accruals: 9/63; 8/21/97; 12/7/99

Other Note: An second and third accession of more materials was added in Spring 2024, duplicates were placed at the end of the collection

URL: https://files.archon.library.illinois.edu/uasfa/1106834.pdf

PDF finding aid for Biological Computer Laboratory Publications (11/6/834)