Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1872 [PAGE 43]

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39 and will he examined, interesting facts discussed, and marked and credited as a study of the course. It is recommended that students employ their vacations in engineering practice. To facilitate this important part of their preparation, students of creditable standing, at the end of the second and third years of their courses, can obtain certificates to this effect from the Professor in charge.

PROJECTS, MEMOIRS AND THESIS.

Projects. During the Spring Term of the second year, an accurate Topographical Survey of a locality is made by the class, with reference to the execution of a project in Eailroad Engineering, which is then given to the class for consideration and discussion, but which is executed in the Fall Term of the next year. The Project consists of— I. Memoir; II. Location; III. Drawings; IY. Estimates. I. The Memoir will propose a location for a railroad to fulfill certain exact requirements, and will state the reasons for the choice, with the necessary calculations and estimates. It will be presented at the opening of the Fall Term. Different memoirs will be compared, and one or two routes decided upon for the class to work up. II. The Location will consist in running the line over the routes decided upon, with all the necessary measurements and calculations for establishing the grade, setting slope stakes, determining the amount of earthwork, designing the buildings, bridges, culverts, etc. III. The drawings will include— I. Alignment; II. Profile; III. Plans of Structures. IY. The Estimates will give the cost of ground, earthwork, structures, rolling stock, etc; expenses of operating the line, and estimated income. A Memoir will also be required at the opening of the fourth year upon an allowed subject, and A Project in Engineering construction will be executed during the year. A Thesis upon an approved subject, either separate or in allowed connection with the fourth year project, will be required at the close of the course.

APPARATUS.

The school is provided with both English and American instruments for the different branches of Engineering Practice, and for the Astronomical work of Higher Surveying. It has numerous models for illustration of its specialties and access to the cabinets of the other departments. To facilitate the practice in Trigonometrical and Land Surveying, it has a specially prepared area, in which the difficulties of plain surveying are presented to the beginner as he is able to meet them, and