University of California, Irvine, Department of Information and Computer Science records, 1965-1984

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Summary

Creators:

Bork, Alfred M. and University of California, Irvine. Department of Information and Computer Science

Abstract:

This collection consists of records documenting the University of California, Irvine's computer systems, facilities, and programs from 1965-1984. It includes information about UCI's early technology efforts and the Physics Computer Development Project, as well as manuals, user guides, and articles by faculty members.

Extent:

2.2 Linear Feet (6 boxes)

Language:

English .

Preferred citation:

University of California, Irvine, Department of Information and Computer Sciences records. AS-043. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of records documenting the University of California, Irvine's computer systems, facilities, and programs from 1965-1984. It contains information on early uses of the computer in instruction, notably in the field of physics through the Physics Computer Development Project. Information about this project was largely written by Alfred Bork. The collection also includes documents about UCI's early technology efforts through campus-wide technology plans, research and partnership proposals, and guides for using the UCI Computing Facility. The bulk of the collection consists of manuals and user guides for a variety of operating systems, hardware, and computer languages employed at the UCI campus. In addition, there are articles and papers about UCI's computing operations by UCI faculty.

Biographical / historical:

The Department of Information and Computer Science began in 1966 as the Program in Information and Communication Science and was one of the earliest departments of its kind in the country. Since the department's founding, there was an emphasis on using the computer in teaching and instruction. As an example, the Physics Computer Development Project, begun in 1969, was a National Science Foundation supported initiative to identify areas where the computer might yield significant advances in the teaching of physics. The program tested computer programs and strategies in formal courses with students. From the 1960s-1970s, the department was involved with computing for campus-wide administrative and research purposes, although to a lesser degree than instruction. Computers were available for use by students since UCI's founding in 1965. The number of computers and quality of technology grew steadily throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

Acquisition information:

Transferred from unknown source in 1982.

Processing information:

Processed by Laura Uglean Jackson, 2014.

Upon processing this collection in 2014, the material was found to have been item-foldered, labeled, and arranged chronologically. Because it appeared an archivist did this work after acquisition (and was not the original order by the creator), the collection was rearranged into series and only Series 1 was processed to the folder level. Should this collection need more intensive processing in the future, I would recommend listing the folders alphabetically rather than chronologically.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in four series. Series 1 is arranged alphabetically and described at the folder level. All other series are described at the series level.

Series 1. Computer Technology History, 1965-1982, 0.4 linear feet
Series 2. Physics Computer Development Project, 1968-1977, 0.3 linear feet
Series 3. Computer Manuals and User Guides, 1966-1984, 1.2 linear feet
Series 4. Articles and Papers by Faculty, 1971-1983, 0.3 linear feet

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:: Physics -- Computer-assisted instruction
Computers -- California -- Irvine -- History -- Sources.
Educational technology -- California -- Irvine
Names:: University of California, Irvine. Department of Information and Computer Science -- Archives
University of California, Irvine -- Archives

Access and use

Restrictions:: The collection is open for research.
Terms of access:: Property rights reside with the University of California. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where the UC Regents do not hold the copyright. For information on use, copyright, and attribution, please visit: http://special.lib.uci.edu/using/publishing.html