UIHistories Project: A History of the University of Illinois by Kalev Leetaru
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Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1871 [PAGE 273]

Caption: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1871
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265 The first year there were two classes, being a Preparatory and Freshman class—about equal in number. Last fall the preparatory class was discontinued, except a few who failed of quite entering the Freshman class. We have now a Freshman class of one hundred, a Sophomore and a Junior class, thirty-five each, and some thirty who are preparing for college in branches in which they showed a deficiency last spring. The courses of study occupy four years. They are largely scientific and industrial balanced and relieved by such instruction in the German language, and in the English language and literature, as the time of students may warrant, and their tastes demand. They rest upon the fundamental principles of chemistry, natural history and mathematics, which are strongly taught, and aim to present plainly the practical applications of those sciences to farming, gardening and engineering in its various branches, and to the other arts and professions of life. While principles are taught in the class room, they are carefully illustrated in the field and the workshop. Two departments of study are organized, viz.: the agricultural and the mechanical, as required by the act of Congress making the land grant for the support of these colleges. In the Agricultural department, four courses of special study are arranged — that of agriculture, horticulture, pomology and stockbreeding. In the Mechanical department, likewise, four courses—that of civil engineering, mechanical engineering, mining engineering, and architecture, respectively. For the first year and a half the several courses are identical, consisting of those studies which are preparatory to all alike, viz : Algebra, geometry, trigonometry and surveying; in mathematics, bookkeeping, freehand drawing, rhetoric and English literature, human physiology, general chemistry, and something of natural philosophy and botany. From the middle of Sophomore year the courses divide, students in engineering putting their main strength into mathematics, mechanics and drawing, with practice in the field and workshop ; while students of agriculture work more in the laboratory and the museum, making chemistry and natural history, including botany, their principal studies, with work upon the farm and in the garden. To all alike are taught military tactics, and in their senior year the principles of intellectual and moral philosophy, logic, political economy and constitutional law. —25