# Irving C. Tan > second American to earn a PhD in computer science **Wikidata**: [Q102087489](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102087489) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/irving-c-tan ## Summary Irving C. Tan is an American computer scientist best known for being the second American to earn a PhD in computer science. He completed a Doctor of Philosophy in computer science at Washington University in St. Louis in 1965 and has been affiliated with Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City as an employer. ## Biography - Born: 1931 - Nationality: United States - Education: - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in computer science, Washington University in St. Louis (completed June 1965) - Master of Science in electronic engineering, University of Illinois Chicago (completed 1953) - Bachelor of Science in electronic engineering, University of California (completed 1952) - Known for: Being the second American to earn a PhD in computer science - Employer(s): Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City (employer); Washington University in St. Louis, University of Illinois Chicago, University of California (educational affiliations) - Field(s): Computer science; electronic engineering ## Contributions Irving C. Tan’s principal documented contribution is his position among the earliest Americans to complete doctoral study in computer science. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy in computer science from Washington University in St. Louis in June 1965, a milestone that places him as the second American to receive a PhD in that discipline according to available records. Prior to his doctorate, he completed a Master of Science in electronic engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago in 1953 and a Bachelor of Science in electronic engineering at the University of California in 1952. Professionally, Tan has been employed by Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City and has been recorded as a member of the British Computer Society. The available sources do not list specific papers, patents, products, or companies founded by Tan; his notability in the record is primarily for his early doctoral attainment in computer science and his academic and professional affiliations. ## FAQs ### Q: Who is Irving C. Tan? A: Irving C. Tan is an American computer scientist who is recorded as the second American to earn a PhD in computer science. He received his PhD from Washington University in St. Louis in June 1965. ### Q: When and where did Irving C. Tan earn his PhD? A: He earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in computer science from Washington University in St. Louis, completed in June 1965. ### Q: Where has Irving C. Tan worked or been affiliated? A: He has been employed by Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City and is affiliated through education with Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Illinois Chicago, and the University of California. He is also recorded as a member of the British Computer Society. ## Why They Matter Irving C. Tan’s recorded significance rests on his place in the early history of computer science education in the United States. As the second American to receive a PhD in computer science (PhD, Washington University in St. Louis, June 1965), his academic milestone documents the emergence of computer science as a distinct doctoral discipline in American universities. That achievement situates him within the initial cohort of scholars who helped define and legitimize computer science as an independent field of advanced study, distinct from electrical and electronic engineering (fields in which he held earlier degrees). His employment at Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City and membership in the British Computer Society indicate continued professional engagement. While specific publications, patents, or technical projects are not listed in the available sources, Tan’s early doctoral status contributes to the historical record of how the academic infrastructure for computer science developed in the United States during the mid-20th century. ## Notable For - Recorded as the second American to earn a PhD in computer science. - Doctor of Philosophy in computer science from Washington University in St. Louis (completed June 1965). - Master of Science in electronic engineering, University of Illinois Chicago (1953); Bachelor of Science in electronic engineering, University of California (1952). - Employer: Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City. - Member of the British Computer Society. ## Body ### Early life and identity - Name: Irving C. Tan (also known as Irving Che-Hong Tan). - Family name: Tan. - Birth year: 1931. - Sex/gender: male. - Citizenship: United States. ### Academic qualifications - Bachelor of Science in electronic engineering, University of California — completed 1952. - Master of Science in electronic engineering, University of Illinois Chicago — completed 1953. - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in computer science, Washington University in St. Louis — completed June 1965. - Academic degree entry records list his PhD start/award date as June 1965. ### Career and affiliations - Employer: Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City (institutional employer record and archived faculty page referenced). - Professional membership: British Computer Society. - Educational affiliations include Washington University in St. Louis, University of Illinois Chicago, and the University of California. ### Notability and historical record - Described in available sources as the "second American to earn a PhD in computer science." - Documented in sources that profile early computer science doctorates and in a German-language profile collection of IT histories. - No specific publications, patents, founded companies, or named technical projects are listed in the provided material. ### Sources and descriptions in record - Primary descriptive source: an itemized profile and a German-language article collection ("13 wirklich wahre IT-Geschichten") that reference his doctoral attainment and biographical details. - Archived faculty/employer pages and compiled lists of early computer science PhDs are cited in the structured record. ## References 1. [13 wirklich wahre IT-Geschichten: 13 wirklich wahre IT-Geschichten. Computerwoche](https://www.computerwoche.de/g/13-wirklich-wahre-it-geschichten,106462,5) 2. [Additional Information for“Who Earned First Computer Science PhD?”](https://studylib.net/doc/8193211/who-earned-first-computer-science-phd%3F) 3. [Source](http://www.osuokc.edu/ictang/)