Title: Materials Science and Engineering Newsletters and Alumni News, 1993-2009

Series Number: 11/9/804

Volume: 0.2 cubic feet

The Department of Mining Engineering had its conception in the 1867 aims of the Illinois Industrial University's Committee on Courses and Faculty, which listed the department as part of the proposed Polytechnic Department.¹ Courses in mining engineering were offered in the Civil Engineering Department during the 1870-75 period.² In 1885, the University faculty adopted and approved a B.S. program.³The program had its first graduate in June 1887.⁴ With little student interest, the program lapsed in 1889. An attempt was made two years later to revive interest by offering a course for coal miners.⁵A lack of response caused the Department to be abolished in 1891.⁶In 1901, the Board requested Illinois members of Congress to support a bill promoting mining engineering.⁷In June, 1909, the Illinois General Assembly passed an act calling for a Department of Mining Engineering with provision for instruction and extension work by the University.⁸ In 1911, the Department began to work closely with the State Geological Survey and the United States Bureau of Mines.⁹ July 1912 brought the formation of the Mining Laboratory, which expanded to include sampling and grinding, fuels, coal preparation, ventilation and safety lamps, drilling and blasting, heat treatment and assaying.¹⁰A Mine Rescue Station gave demonstrations on the use of equipment, trained men and did rescue work.¹¹ Although metallurgy courses had been offered as early as 1884, they were taught in the Geology Department. In the Fall of 1916, an option in metallurgical engineering was offered in Mining Engineering. In 1934, the department name was changed to the Department of Mining and Metallurgy.¹² In 1966, the B.S. program in mining engineering was dropped because of small enrollment, though graduate courses continued to be offered.¹³ From 1961 to 1968, the name of the department was changed to Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Engineering. In 1969, the name was changed back to Department of Metallurgy and Mining Engineering.¹⁴ In February 1989, the Departments of Metallurgy and Mining Engineering and Ceramic Engineering were merged to form the Department of Materials Science and Engineering to enable the departments to coordinate their efforts in responding to the new high technology approach to materials development, design, and application. The merger was intended to eliminate duplication of effort and to promote interaction between faculties and students.¹⁵