Purdue University's Computer Science Department was established in 1962 and was one of the first computer science departments in the United States. It was founded as part of the School of Electrical Engineering, with the goal of preparing students for careers in the rapidly-expanding field of computer technology.

In the early years of the department, the curriculum focused on preparing students for careers in areas such as computer programming, computer hardware design, and computer systems analysis. Over time, the department has evolved to include a wide range of research areas, including artificial intelligence, computer graphics, databases, software engineering, and more.

Today, the Purdue Computer Science Department is a well-respected institution that is known for producing highly-qualified graduates who go on to pursue successful careers in industry and academia. It is also home to a number of distinguished faculty members and researchers who are at the forefront of their fields.

Some notable alumni of Purdue's Computer Science Department include:

• David B. Allison played a key role in developing the first compiler for the FORTRAN programming language.
• Ed Atkinson co-founded the software company Borland International and developed the Turbo Pascal programming language.
• John Backus led the development of the FORTRAN programming language and was awarded the 1977 Turing Award for his contributions to computer science.
• Craig Barrett, who served as the CEO of Intel Corporation from 1998 to 2005.
• John Chambers, who served as the CEO of Cisco Systems from 1995 to 2015.

Purdue's Computer Science Department has also been home to a number of significant research achievements, including the development of the Purdue Compiler Construction Tool Set (PCCTS), the creation of the first computer science degree program at a public university, and the establishment of the Purdue School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.