Silliman ranked second in the country. The College of Computer Studies provides undergraduate courses in Computer Science, Information Technology, and Information Systems. The college was designated by CHED as a Center of Excellence in Information Technology Education. In 1997, Silliman is one of only two universities in the Philippines that has an extensive fiber-optic backbone and the only school in the country that owns its fiber-optic system. Costing US $2.5 million in 1997, this backbone connects all buildings in the campus. Silliman was also the first school in the country to use wireless Wi-Fi B2B LAN technology. Recently, the college opened its master's degree in Information Systems, and pilot tested the Silliman Online University Learning (SOUL) website, a virtual classroom for students. It has also formed partnerships with Microsoft and IBM. The Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance has given the college a 3-year complimentary MSDNAA subscription which allows it to download available software in MSDNAA for free to all students and faculty for teaching and learning purposes, while the college's partnership with IBM resulted in the introduction of the IBM Academic Exchange Offering. Electives under the program are developed for junior and graduating students majoring in Information Technology, Information Systems and Computer Science. The College of Engineering and Design started as a Department of Engineering in June 1932, offering an undergraduate program in civil engineering. In March 1935, the board of trustees authorized the change in status of Silliman from an institute to a university. With government approval of this change, Silliman proceeded to adopt additional undergraduate programs in mining engineering, chemical engineering and industrial engineering. Today, the college offers five undergraduate courses in: architecture, civil engineering; computer engineering; electrical engineering; and mechanical engineering. In the October 2009 Mechanical Engineering Licensure Examinations (Category A), Silliman was ranked second in the country. The College of Education has been designated by CHED as Center of Excellence in Teacher Education. The college has three departments: Physical Education, Teacher Education, and Nutrition and Dietetics. Its beginnings can be traced way back in 1924 when it first offered diplomas in Bachelor of Science in education. From then on, the Teacher Education Program grew and developed into what is now known as the College of Education. The College of Law was established in 1935, starting with a freshman class of 22 members. Guided by its motto "Law with a Conscience", the college seeks to teach its