DEPARTMENT HISTORY |
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The purpose of the College, as spelled out by the State Legislature, was quite narrow. As summarized in an early MCM catalogue, "the College was established for, and exists only for the purpose of training men to take an active part in the development of the mineral wealth of the state and nation." In this context, the Physics courses were to have, "directly or indirectly, a bearing on the practical work of the mining engineer, and to treat these in a practical a manner as possible." The early courses in Physics were described in the 1891 catalogue as "two terms of fourteen weeks each" to study "General Physics, including the topics of Mechanics, Hydrostatics, Pneumatics, Heat, Light, Magnetism and Electricity. ... The method of instruction ... combines recitations, lectures, laboratory work, and the solution of problems, ..." Shortly thereafter courses were given alpha-numeric designations. Courses starting with "A" were offered by the Mathematics department, those starting with "B" were Physics courses, and those starting with "C" were Mechanics. By 1910 there were 5 math classes (A1 to A5, A5 being calculus), 5 physics classes (B1 to B5), and 2 Mechanics classes (C1 and C2). The classes met for variable lengths of time despite the division of the year into Fall and Spring terms. For example, B1 (General Physics) ran for 21 weeks, B2 (Physical Measurements) ran for 5 weeks, B3 (Electrical Measurements) for 16 weeks, and B4 (General Physics, a continuation of B1) and B5 (Light) were for 12 weeks each. Courses were designated by a single letter followed by one to three numerical digits (and occasionally an additional ending letter) until the late 1950's. The introductory Physics sequence designated B1-B3 was maintained, with some gradual changes in content, throughout.
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