Missouri University of Science and Technology - Rollamo Yearbook (Rolla, MO)

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Curricula---Continued engineering and science courses are required. On account of the importance of a knowl- edge of the properties of ceramic raw materials, mineralogy and geology are included. The fundamentals of mechanics, power transmission and generation, both mechanical and electrical, are specified for the correct control of ceramic manufacturing operations. The design of ceramic equipment and the proper layout of plants requires a broad elementary engineering training. Fuels and the principles of combustion are in direct relation to firing of ceramic kilns. Scientific, engineering and academic subjects, includ- ing English and Economics are absolutely necessary for contact with individuals and agencies outside the engineerls own profession. The facilities of the department are complete and up to date in every respect. The laboratories are comp-letely equipped, the library contains all available books, bulletins and periodicals dealing with ceramics and- outside experience with industries of the State, making for a well-rounded education. A special course in ceramic technology is offered for those desiring a career in research and development work in preference to plant operation and consists of replacing the heavy engineering courses by science and foreign languages. The Missouri Clay Testing and Research Laboratories are operated in connection with the ceramic engineering department. CIVIL ENGINEERING In this Mechanical Agev the curricula in engineering schools is apt to lag behind progress in science and business. This is partly unavoidable. Teachers have their daily grind, and while a few may be penetrating beyond the well explored field, most of their work must be drawn from text-books and the majority of these are but skilful compila- tions of what others have published. However, it is the duty of teachers in engineering schools to watch the trend of developments in kind, quantity and locality in order that he may cut out the dead wood in the existing curricula, strengthen it in lines along which marked developments are taking place, and advise the student as to the specialty and locality in which he may best succeed. I iThe writer has witnessed developments in the Civil Engineering course at the Missouri School of Mines for thirty-seven years. Within this time several courses have been dropped, some have been reduced and others have been increased in time allotted, and some entirely new courses have been added. In the latter class are Reinforced Con- crete in all its ramifications, Engineering Economics, Mechanical Computations, Water Power Development, and Reclamation by Drainage and by Irrigation, Engineering Writing and Engineering Construction. The last quite recently added, is designed from -the Contractor's point of view. While the reader may justly consider it absurd to have Page Tweizljz-nine

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v Curricula-f-Continued ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING The curriculum in Electrical Engineering has for its purpose a thorough training in the fundamental principles upon which the development of electrical engineering practice depends. Opportunity is given to identify these principles in their numerous applications, in preference to offering a specialized course in any field of the profession. Excellent facilities are available for pursuing studies of a humanistic type and subjects based on the business aspects of engineering, thus tending to present a broad educa- tional plan. In the second semester of the Sophomore year, the engineering work proper begins with an elementary course intended to acquaint the student with the various technical terms and important parts of electrical engineering. More advanced courses are designed for the Junior and Senior years, covering the principles of alternating currents, electrical machines, generation and distribution of energy and the varied applications of electricity. A salient feature of these courses is the assignment and solution of necessary practical problems. ' Particular attention is given to the proper correlation of laboratory work to class room and outside study. Laboratory courses include a comprehensive study of the methods of electrical measurements and exacting tests of virtually all types of electrical instruments and machines used in practice. The ever increasing development of hydro-electric plants, with the electrification of railways, the design and construction of transmission systems, new electrical machines and appliances, all offer wonderful possibilities to men trained in electrical engineering. Hydro-electric power is in its infancy, but it must and will spread very rapidly, creating a great demand for Electrical Engineers. CERAMIC ENGINEERING . ' - The object of the department of Ceramic Engineering is to train students, as com- pletely as possible, for a career in the ceramic industries. Twenty-six per cent of the course is devoted to ceramic engineering proper, which consists of a study of the properties of the raw materials, the winning operations em- ployed, the refining of the raw materials, their preparation for use, the forming of ceramic ware, the firing operations, the properties and uses of the product, the design of ceramic equipment, the layout of ceramic plants, and research development work on ceramic processes and products. Special emphasis is laid on refractories. A proper comprehension of ceramic engineering is based upon a knowledge of the fundamental sciences, including chemistry, physics and mathematics. Certain other Page T wenly-eiglJ!

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i Curricula---Continued some of these subjects left out, he is asked to bear in mind that none of them were taught when the writer commenced teaching. To get a proper comprehension of the future in the field of Civil Engineering, we must appreciate the fact that at this time Qand to an ever-increasing extentj improve- ment in machinery, in organization for mass production, in improvements in agriculture, in horticulture, in transportation and the like, have brought about a condition that, if half the people work, they can supply sufficient food, clothing and housing for the whole population. This means the liberation of a large fraction of the whole pop-ulation for other work than producing the essentials of life. To a large extent it is the works directed by the Civil Engineer that must employ this surplus labor. We have already witnessed the phenomenal developments in highways and municipal engineering. Quite recently the U. S. Government has committed itself to the policy of Flood Control. The magnitude of the task is beyond comprehension. In the writer's mind the greatest future field for the Civil Engineer is in Hydraulic Engineering or Hydro Economics in all its ramifications. l Page Tlvirly