THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Metallurgy started its journey at the Bengal Engineering College in the year 1939 with the introduction of a 3 year degree course in Metallurgy under the Calcutta University. The department is the second oldest metallurgy department of the country.

In 1953, a 2-year postgraduate degree programme in Physical Metallurgy was introduced which has now become a 4-semester course at the all India level. Here, it would be worthwhile to mention that this department was the first in this country to introduce a postgraduate course in metallurgy.


Prof. N. N. Sen who later became the Principal of the College, was the first Professor and Head of the Department of Metallurgy, Chemistry and Geology. In 1965, Chemistry became a separate department and Geology was attached to the Department of Mining

In 1949, Prof. W. Baukhloh of Techniche Hochschule, Berlin joined the department as a Professor of Metallurgy followed by many foreign trained faculty members. A spurt in research activity in the department was witnessed from 1949 onward after Dr. A. K. Seal joined the department after completing his Ph.D from Sheffield University.


Over the years the department has produced a good number of eminent metallurgists working with distinction in India and abroad. They have made significant contributions in academics, research and industry. The department takes pride in recalling that Sri P.R. Roy and Dr. C. Ganguli, alumni of this department have received the prestigious Padmasree award of the government of India.

The subjects offered to the undergraduate and post graduate students are regularly updated by incorporating the recent trends in the fields of Metallurgy and Materials engineering in consultation with eminent personalities from industry, academic and research institutions. The department has, so far, produced considerable number of Ph.Ds, and currently several Ph.D. programmes in diverse research areas e.g. steel, nonferrous alloys, composites, nanoscience and nanotechnology are being actively pursued. The department has already pioneered in the development of certain important steels and alloys like HSLA steels, maraging steels, shape memory alloys etc. These developments have had a tremendous impact on the overall development of the subject in the national scenario. Special efforts are being directed in evolving suitable means for effective technology transfer to the existing industries. The department feels proud to announce its collaborative ventures with organizations e.g. like TISCO, SAIL, ISRO, BARC, NML, ICDC, and NMRL.


The department in its journey through the 70 glorious years has maintained a very high standard of teaching; commitment dedication has established itself as one of the leading centre of metallurgical and material engineering education and research in the country.