In the early 1900s, students at the U learned about blacksmithing, domestic sciences (cooking), domestic art (sewing) and agriculture. And though it seems surprising, these programs have transformed today into more readily recognizable fields of study.
Christina Poruczink, a professor with the U’s Department of Family and Preventative Medicine, said public health, which replaced home economics, is thanks to the scientific discoveries of the 1800s, particularly expanded knowledge of germs. Previously, women mostly studied how to properly clean a house; now students examine complex medical policies with the Division of Public Health.
“We are trying to figure out things like what air pollution is doing to people and focusing on rational regulations,” Poruczink said. “So far, we have done great things like with vaccine promotion for the good of the community.”
Engineering, too, came from different shop trades, such as blacksmith work and electrical experiments. According to a 1909 article in The Daily Utah Chronicle, civil engineering at the time consisted of planting maple trees, and mining engineering studied the separation of ore and stone material.
Tim Ameel, a professor with the U’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, said the sciences have advanced significantly since then, meriting organized majors and degrees within the university.
“There are many different areas of emphasis within mechanical engineering [now], including fluid dynamics, heat translation, energy systems, solid mechanics, robotics, ergonomics and manufacturing — to name a few,” he said.
Engineering currently enrolls about a fourth of the student population in its seven subdivisions, including biomedical or mechanical.
There was also a Department of Agriculture at the U in 1909, which dealt with irrigation systems, but no longer exists. This field of study has largely melded into different sustainability programs.
@chriswritine