Academics, 1886-1900
By the beginning of 1900s, besides the initial Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Mathematics and Astronomy, and Physics tracks, the School added three more specialities in mechanical (1886), mining (1887), and electrical (1892) engineering.
In 1886, there were fifty-one students enrolled. By 1890, there were 100 students, and by 1894, the number of students has doubled.
Then, as now, there was a common freshman year emphasizing mathematics, science, communications and drawing, and many of those courses will sound familiar to current freshmen.
Students working with their advisors declared their planned course of study at the end of the freshman year. These programs of study are described in detail in the 1885-1886 catalog and the programs of study for chemistry and civil engineering (the two most popular programs) for the SECOND-THIRD-FOURTH years show how the programs continue mathematics, science and language fundamentals to discipline specific courses in the third and fourth years. Note that all students did a senior thesis (independent work or original research) which roughly corresponds to the modern senior capstone project.
Mr. Charles Gaffing, a graduate of the class of 1888 received the first Civil Engineering degree in 1897 with a thesis entitled “The Extension of the Cleveland Water Supply."
A sample of senior theses from 1901 includes:
Carl Sonntag (Chemistry) Nitrogen Compound in California Petroleum.
Samuel Newman (Civil) Sewer System East End Section of Cleveland>
William Coblentz (Physics) Coefficient of Expansion by Means of the Interferometer
The Mechanical Engineering building which was officially opened in 1892 followed almost exactly the senior thesis plans of C.A. Adams (Class of 1890).