The department can be traced back to the earliest days of computing in Minnesota. Since 1970, the department has grown from a small group of visionary numerical analysts to the national force in computing education, research, and innovation that it is today.
- Over 10,600 undergraduate and graduate degrees have been granted in the last half century, and enrollment continues to grow every year.
- Faculty members are internationally recognized in computer science specialties that include robotics, artificial intelligence, data science, bioinformatics, network security, human computer interaction, and more.
- Department alumni have founded more than 200 companies and have held leadership positions at universities and computer and software companies worldwide.