The Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering can trace its roots back to the beginnings of Clemson University, as more than half of the first graduating class received degrees in mechanical-electrical engineering in 1896. One of the oldest engineering departments at Clemson University, the department was formed in 1933, adding an electrical engineering graduate program in 1948 and awarding its first doctoral degree in 1967.
The department is now one of the largest and most active at Clemson, with over 50 faculty members who teach and perform research in a broad range of topics in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.
Many members of our faculty are known nationally and internationally, and among our ranks are several IEEE Fellows, four endowed chairs, and eight named professorships. In addition, several of our young faculty members have recently won prestigious national and international awards and grants. Many of our alumni have reached the highest levels of professional achievement. Our student body currently numbers approximately 540 undergraduates and 180 graduate students, of whom 100 are Ph.D. candidates. Our department offers a rich curriculum that comprises more than 60 undergraduate courses and 80 graduate courses. Our ratio of students to faculty is low, and we are proud of the Clemson tradition of close interaction among faculty and students.
Our faculty and graduate students are involved in diverse and challenging research projects, and the department has been the recipient of a number of grant awards from highly prestigious and selective national research programs. Our research activities are conducted in fully-equipped laboratories, many of which are housed in the state-of-the-art Fluor Daniel Engineering Innovation Building. Current research encompasses an array of activities in the general areas of computing and communications; energy systems; intelligent systems; photonics, electronics and quantum systems.
A visit to Clemson should begin with a visit to the Visitors Center. Directions to Clemson, South Carolina, and to the Visitors Center may be found on the Visitors Center website. There you can also learn more about the university and surrounding area and schedule a campus tour or a tour of the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences.
The ECE Department is located in Riggs Hall and the Fluor Daniel Engineering Innovation Building. Directions to these buildings may be found on the Clemson University map.
Note that all visitors must have parking passes to park on campus. Parking passes are available at the Visitors Center.
The Milton Winford Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering was endowed through the generosity of Milton Winford Holcombe, Clemson University Honorary Doctorate of Laws, 1998, Clemson College, BSEE 1953, and Betty Morgan Holcombe.
As one of the nation's true engineering entrepreneurs and co-founder of Electrospace Systems, Inc., Milton Holcombe has made numerous contributions to the electrical engineering field, including the development of the command and control systems for many Strategic Air Command aircraft of the U.S. Air Force.
His commitment to Clemson University has been equally important. As an esteemed recipient of the Clemson Medallion and as a member of the Thomas Green Clemson Society, Trustee Oak Society, Thomas Green Clemson Academy of Engineers and Scientists, and the College of Engineering and Science Advisory Board, Milt Holcombe has served this University and College with great distinction.