Historical Civil Engineering Courses

The first civil engineering degree was offered at Lafayette College in 1868 with Professor Francis Walling as its first instructor. In 1873, the first four year course was offered.

The degree in civil engineering was conferred upon the graduates in the Scientific Department who had completed the full course of four years, passed a satisfactory final examination, and who had submitted to the Board of Examiners an approved thesis upon a subject embraced in one of the technical courses.

Students admitted to the freshmen class of 1866 for the Scientific Course were examined in geography, ancient and modern; arithmetic; algebra, through simple equations; English grammar; outlines of history, and the general contents of the Bible. In 1868, candidates for admission for the freshmen class for the Scientific Course were examined in the elementary principles of natural philosophy in addition to the previous listed subjects.

Course of Study 1870-1871

Engineering-Civil and Mechanical.  This course was designed to give professional preparation for the location, construction, and superintendence of railways, canals and other public works; chemical works and pneumatic works; the design and construction of bridges; the trigonometrical and topographical survey of states, counties, etc. The survey of rivers, lakes, harbors, etc., and the direction of their improvement. The design, construction, and use of steam engines and other motors, and of machines in general; and the construction of geometrical, topographical and machine drawings.

1879-80

Engineering, Civil, Topographical and Mechanical.  This course was designed to give professional preparation for the location, construction, and superintendence of railways, canals, and other engineering works: the design, construction, and superintendence of railways, canals, and other engineering works; the design, construction, and use of steam engines and other motors, and of machines in general; and the construction of geometrical, topographical and machine drawings.

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