In the late 1930's, degree transfers to University of California, Davis found themselves deficient in their preparation. They were required to make up these deficiencies which delayed their graduation date markedly. They were deficient in the foreign language requirement and in mathematics and the courses based on a sound mathematical background. They did find that they could transfer without a loss in time to Oregon State College, Iowa State College and Utah State College. This fact gives some idea of the level of the differential in requirement for these colleges and the Davis campus of the University of California for a degree in electrical engineering.
Since Cal Poly graduates (3 year transfer program) usually wishes to be known as Cal Poly Alumni rather than alumni of the degree granting institution, there was a strong demand for extending the curriculum to the fourth year with the granting of a degree. The fact that some three year graduates were excluded from some job opportunities because they were without a degree added to the pressure.
In 1938, Mr. McPhee drew up a resolution providing for a fourth year to be in effect in 1940-41 with a Bachelor of Science degree to be granted beginning in 1941. After considerable lobbying and application of political support, the State Board of Education voted approval of the resolution in April, 1940.
The 1940-41 Circular of Information shows the Electrical Industries Department with a faculty of two; J. J. Hyer, senior instructor for electrical laboratory work and Dr. B. G. Eaton, instructor for electrical industries. No separate technical curriculum was offered. Upon completion of the third year of the degree curriculum, the student wishing to terminate his education was granted a technical certificate of recommendation. It is interesting to note that amongst other things, the degree curriculum included the following:
First Year
1. 9 Units of engineering mathematics
2. DC and AC circuits and accompanying laboratories
3. DC machinery
Second Year
1. No mathematics
2. AC theory and machines and accompanying laboratory
3. Network analysis and power line construction
4. California Electric Safety Orders, National Electric Code, and
the California Rules for Overhead Line Construction
5. Industrial control laboratory
6. Power plant operation
Third Year
1. Advanced electricity and magnetism including ~thermionic emission
2. Vacuum tube laboratory
3. Industrial electronics laboratory
4. Vector analysis
5. Differential equations
Fourth Year
1. Public speaking, two quarters
2. Electric machine design
3. Communication engineering
4. Illumination engineering and accompanying laboratory
5. Radio frequency laboratory
6. Electrical development, 2 units for 3 quarters
(oral reports by students from research of technical literature)