THEN: In the 1950s, the U of A yearbook proclaimed that the machine age was “here at last,” thanks to the adoption of typewriters.

NOW: In the information age, students expect machines to do much, much more than put words on paper. (photo by S. Smith)

Biological and Agricultural Engineering then: Until 1989, the university offered only agricultural engineering. This picture shows a tractor demonstration from 1951.

Biological and Agricultural Engineering now: One of the research focuses of the department of biological and agricultural engineering is water quality. Here, a biological engineering student demonstrates some of the high-tech equipment used by the Water Quality Lab.

Biomedical Engineering then: Although the medical field has always relied on engineering breakthroughs, biomedical engineering only emerged as an academic program in the second half of the 20th century.

Biomedical Engineering now: Many researchers in the college have focused on medical applications. In 2012, the U of A created a department of biomedical engineering, which currently has more than 100 students.

Chemical Engineering then: A chemical engineering laboratory in 1915.

Chemical Engineering now: Doctoral student Ellen Brune is taking her research from the lab to the marketplace. Her company, Boston Mountain Biotech, LLC, has won numerous small business competitions.

Civil Engineering then: Around the time the university awarded its first civil engineering degree, civil engineers used instruments like this theodolite for surveying.

Civil Engineering now: A student uses a ground-based radar interferometer, currently one of only two in the nation, to produce detailed images that help monitor slopes near roadways.

Computer Science and Computer Engineering then: Computer performance is increasing exponentially. This means that computers from just a few years ago seem hopelessly outdated today.

Computer Science and Computer Engineering now: NOW: With a focus on either software or hardware, computer science and computer engineering students are creating and programming the devices we’ll have in our pockets and houses tomorrow.

Electrical Engineering then: In 1915, huge electrical switchboards were standard equipment in an electrical engineering lab.

Electrical Engineering now: Today, electrical engineering professors and students investigate new ways of producing electricity, such as solar and thermoelectric power.

Industrial Engineering then: Industrial engineering was first offered at the U of A in 1948.

Industrial Engineering now: Current industrial engineering students use computer modeling to find the most efficient approaches to the systems we rely on every day.

Mechanical Engineering then: These 1915 ME students are using a plane from WWI to practice their skills.

Mechanical Engineering now: Students on the SAE Baja team design and build a vehicle that must stand up to a demanding race course.