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Graduate programs were offered in process metallurgy, physical metallurgy. and ceramics. In 1947, a graduate program in mineral engineering was added. Master's and Doctor's degrees were offered in all these areas. In 1948-49, the degrees of Metallurgical Engineer, Ceramic Engineer and Mineral Engineer were introduced. The Master's, Doctor's and Engineer's degrees required course work and research in different proportions and at different levels. The Master's degree did not call for a general examination and the Doctor's degree did not require credit for a specific set or number of courses. The Engineer's degree emphasized course work more than thesis research.
A major innovation was the introduction of a sequence of courses in Physical Metallurgy I, II, and III, which dealt with the scientific and applied aspects of the subject. The sequence Metallurgical Engineering I and II covered the principles underlying production processes, e.g., heat transfer, and unit processes, e.g., smelting. The traditional distinction between ferrous and nonferrous metallurgy was abandoned. Mineralogy replaced a course in ceramics; the language requirement for undergraduates was dropped.
A new curriculum for the mineral engineering option included more metallurgy, more geology, and less traditional mineraI dressing than formerly. In view of subsequent developments in the metal mining industries, the following statement in the President's Report for 1946-47 is of interest: "Graduates of such an option are needed if the United States is to continue to hold its economic position as the leading producer of most metals in the face of dwindling supplies of high-grade ores."
Several publications by members of the Department's faculty during this period relate to educational philosophy and practice. Chipman (1947) analyzed the personnel needs of the steel industry and the nature of metallurgy, and drew from his analysis conclusions regarding metallurgical education. He discussed educational questions also in an article in 1948 and in the 1949 Howe Memorial Lecture (figure, opposite page). Bever and Floe, in "Undergraduate Instruction in Physical Metallurgy at Massachusetts Institute of Technology" (1949), described undergraduate instruction in physical metallurgy at MIT in the context of the new curriculum.
Metals Processing Division
In a press release dated June 19, 1946, President Compton announced an expansion of the facilities for instruction and research in the field of engineering materials and the establishment of a laboratory of mechanical metallurgy. The announcement stated: " ... the requirements of government services during the war for rapid, high-quality production of materials and devices demonstrated the need for a fundamental re-examination of materials processing techniques such as casting, welding, brazing, and forging. Research and development during the war was limited not only to new devices, but included new methods of fabrication. This experience revealed promising avenues for future research in a field of fundamental importance to almost every branch of industry." It should be noted that the announcement used the term "materials," although in the context it referred essentially to metals.
The Metals Processing Division was established through the transfer of facilities, developed by the Department of Mechanical Engineering, to the new laboratory, which was to be administered by the Department of Metallurgy. The laboratory was placed under the supervision of Professor John Wulff, who was joined by Professor Howard Taylor and several junior staff members. The arrangement provided for cooperation in teaching and
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Ceramics Laboratory
research between the two departments under the guidance of an interdepartmental committee composed of Professor C. Richard Soderberg for the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Professor John Chipman for the Departmentof Metallurgy. Later the two departments shared the occupancy of the Sloan Metals Processing Laboratory, as will be men tioned in the next chapter.
Some teaching functions were transferred in 1946 to the Department of Metallurgy from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, along with the transfer of the physical facilities. Undergraduates in mechanical engineering, metallurgy, and the Physical Sciences option of business management were instructed in engineering metals in the Department of Metallurgy.
Graduate Studies
In the first postwar academic year, the enrollment of graduate students in the Department increased fourfold over prewar years. At the same time, advances in metallurgy, ceramics, and mineral engineering called for more elaborate and expensive research equipment and techniques. The graduate program required flexibility, new standards, and funding of equipment, supplies, and services.
Graduate programs were offered in process metallurgy, physical metallurgy. and ceramics. In 1947, a graduate program in mineral engineering was added. Master's and Doctor's degrees were offered in all these areas. In 1948-49, the degrees of Metallurgical Engineer, Ceramic Engineer and Mineral Engineer were introduced. The Master's, Doctor's and Engineer's degrees required course work and research in different proportions and at different levels. The Master's degree did not call for a general examination and the Doctor's degree did not require credit for a specific set or number of courses. The Engineer's degree emphasized course work more than thesis research.
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