History
Cambridge has been an internationally respected centre of learning since the 13th century. Over the course of the last century the University of Cambridge has been the origin of fundamental advances in nuclear physics, molecular biology and computer science. Over three hundred companies and commercial laboratories specialising in computing and advanced technology are concentrated in the area.
The Computer Laboratory was founded in 1937 (as the Mathematical Laboratory) for work on mechanical calculators and analogue computers. It became involved in digital computing after 1945 under the direction of Professor Maurice Wilkes. Some of the Cambridge developments of that period belong in the basic stock of computing knowledge, for example the ideas of subroutines and of microprogramming.
In those early days the study of computing as an academic subject and the provision of computing facilities to the University as a whole were intimately bound together. The research undertaken involved either the production of workable computer systems (both hardware and software) or the development of new computer application techniques. Original pioneering work in building complete computers (the EDSAC was commissioned in 1949 and the EDSAC 2 in 1958) gave way to the early development of programming languages and operating systems. The latter included the first British time-sharing operating system on the Titan computer. The 50th anniversary of EDSAC was celebrated in a two-day event, EDSAC 99.
Today
Today's Computer Laboratory consists of 25 academic staff, 10 support staff, and about 35 affiliated research staff. Professor Ian Leslie is the current Head of Department. For more information see the more detailed overview of the Laboratory.
Recent research has included computer architecture for robust operating systems, local area network communications, distributed computing and graphical display techniques. Current research covers a broad range of subjects within the field of Computer Science from theory, through systems, to applications.
The Cambridge Diploma in Computer Science was the first taught course in computing, starting in 1953; undergraduate teaching was introduced relatively recently in 1969. At present there are about 250 undergraduate and 50 Diploma students. A further 80 postgraduates are engaged in research for the PhD degree.
Building on its long and distinguished history, the Computer Laboratory continues with world class teaching and research: it received a 5* rating (the top rating) in the 1996 UK research assessment exercise and was rated as excellent in the most recent (1994) UK teaching quality assessment.
We are currently housed in the Arup, Cockcroft and Austin buildings on the New Museums Site in the heart of Cambridge. In Summer 2001 we will be moving out to the West Cambridge Site to a purpose built new building.
Excel - Greg
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