Students and staff using early computer technology in Brock’s Mackenzie Chown computer lab in 1989. The lab was a hub for the development of essential computing skills for the future.To mark Brock’s 60th anniversary, The Brock News is running a monthly series looking back at the University’s history through photos.
In 1970, Brock University installed a Burroughs 5500 Model computer to meet the rapidly growing demand for data processing. The machine could read 800 punch cards per minute and print results at 1,040 lines per minute — revolutionary capabilities at the time.
Housed in the Schmon Tower, the early computing lab was staffed by a small team, including a software specialist, an operator and a key-punch specialist. With only three cathode-ray display units, one of which was dedicated to tracking books in the library, computing resources were limited but groundbreaking for the era.
Fast forward to today, and Brock’s Engineering program is at the forefront of innovation, leveraging emerging technologies for learning. As one of only three universities in Canada offering Integrated Engineering, students work in cutting-edge labs equipped with virtual reality, artificial intelligence, robotics and data-driven technologies to tackle global challenges.
From bioengineering and medical devices to sustainable infrastructure and automation, Brock’s Engineering program is primed to shape the future with hands-on, real-world applications.
Brock University’s Integrated Engineering students immerse themselves in hands-on learning through virtual reality, exploring emerging technologies that shape the future of engineering.
