Carnegie Mellon University - Thistle Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING This year, in spite of the loss of hundreds of men who are now in the Armed Services, the Civil Kngineering Department is still managing to carry on as strongly as ever under the capable leadership of its new head. Dr. Frederic T. Mavis. Dr. Mavis came to Carnegie Tech from Pennsylvania State College where he was a professor and the Head of the Department of Civil Kngineering. Civil Kngineering is the oldest branch of the engineering profession. The graduates of this department are well prepared to design and supervise the construction of roads, dams, bridges, tunnels, buildings, air fields, and harbors. Such developments as flood control are also handled by the civil engineers. A great number of these men are at the present time helping to do such important work in the Armed Forces. Francis M. McCullough Head of Department of Cioil Engineering William R. Work Head of Department of Electrical Engineering DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING If one were to approach the general head of the Klectrical Kngineering Department, requesting information upon the relative merits of this Department, he would undoubtedly receive the non-committal reply. “We’re no better than the other departments of the school, they’re all very good. Nevertheless, wc can say that Dr. Tea re, the new lieatl of the department, and his assistants are doing a fine job of training men to carry on one of the most important industries of the present power age that of electrical supply. It would Ik hard to say what our world would be like if we were deprived of the conveniences which electricity has made possible. An electrical engineer's training here at Tech includes all that is needed in the education of a 28

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with the basic principles of Mechanical, Electrical, ami Metallurgical Engineering, as well as a knowledge of chemistry and its application to the industry of today. In addition, a treatment of many empirical relations not well-defined by theoretical considerations, serves to complete a well-rounded course. From the traditional processes concerned with heavy inorganic chemicals to the newer developments in plastics, petroleum, and synthetic rubber, the Chemical Engineer has many opportunities to perform his fundamental task: to transform the raw materials of nature into useful finished products. tir t ni».' Colon, I. A.. McGrow, l„ I). Seeofu! »•-• Slcni|»l, G. II.. I ., Warner, I. C.. Sell., I. plastics, synthetic rubbers, and other substances which will make our lives more enjoyable in the peaceful world ol the future. The department has been very busy the past year with all types of war research; the most important l eing the development of better syn- thetic rubber. From this graduating class of 1945 may come the men who will be responsible for many substances and materials which are as yet undreamed of, and which will mean more comfort to all of us in the future. 27

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As the end of the war draws steadily closer, the study of civil engineering becomes even more important than ever before. With the l omhing of the enemy creating such havoc and destruction in the cities of Kurope, there will he a great need lor the reconstruction of practically the whole continent. The Civil engineers from Carnegie l ech will have an important part in this great task of rebuilding the parts of the world which have been shattered by the forces of war. AV f ftw: YarlrU. Gal.lcr. Sto.n.1 row: Crapo, - »he. TkiniR r: Dcnniaon. Porter. Trar . P«ttcr oo. competent electrical engineer. In the earlier years, ltasic subjects such as mathematics, physics, and applied mechanics comprise the greater part of the work. Later, theories of electricity and magnetism, and their practical application, arc-covered in order to prepare the student for his entrance into industry. At the present time there are only eleven seniors in the department, but there are a large number of underclassmen to till their places when they leave. Many returning veterans, who have returned in the past year, have enrolled in the department, and are rapidly taking an active part in the profession. 29