Creating synergy between computer engineering and computer science programs

Development of academic programs in computer science, computer engineering and electrical engineering that are mutually supportive has been a challenge at many universities. We examine the dimensions of computers and digital systems. From this perspective we review the creation of the computer engineering program at UCSC and the simultaneous development of computer science. We identify factors that we believe have resulted in the synergy between these programs at UCSC. Some of these are: the hiring and mentoring of junior faculty, the sharing and management of space, facilities and budgets, development of joint research projects that support faculty and students from both departments, employment and supervision of shared staff and the sharing of courses and teaching assignments.