Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1876 [PAGE 45]

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45 and advantage. With this view, the subjects peculiar to civil engineering are not introduced until the second year. The instruction is given by lectures, text-books and reading, to which are added numerous problems and practical exercises, as serving best to completely explain subjects and fix them in the mind. Models and instruments are continually used, both in lectures and by the students themselves.

COURSE OF STUDIES.

The complete course occupies four years. The tabular view shows the arrangement of the subjects. The studies of the first three years will prepare students for undertaking many engineering operations, such as the building of railroads, canals, embankments, etc. The fourth year is intended to fit them for the higher engineering constructions, as the building of arches, trussed bridges, and supporting frames of all kinds. Each year consists of thirty-six working weeks, divided into Fall, Winter and Spring terms. The four years are divided among the different branches nearly as follows: Languages, 360 recitations; Pure Mathematics, 369 recitations; Drawing of all kinds, 840hours; Lectures, with Mathematical Analysis, 100 hours; Surveying, recitations, Drawing and field practice,200 hours; Physics,Mechanics, Hydraulics, Astronomy, Geology, Chemistry, Mental Philosophy, Logic, Political Economy, History, altogether, 680 lectures, recitations and exercises; practice in the Chemical Laboratory, 110 hours; Engineering Projects, 240 hours. Besides the above there are various special exercises requiring time, the amount of which cannot be assigned. Each recitation requires one hour in the class-room, and to its preparation should be given an average time of three hours.

TECHNICAL STUDIES.

Mathematics—For a list of the principal subjects included under Pure Mathematics, see the school of Mechanical Engineering. The following are those included in Applied Mathematics: Descriptive Geometry—Problems on the Point, Right Line and Plane; Warped Surfaces ; Perspective ; Shades and Shadows ; Practical Problems. Analytical Mechanics and Hydraulics—See School of Mechanical Engineering. Astronomy—The Observatory; Instruments and their adjustments ; Determination of time, latitude and longitude ; Practical exercises. Geodesy—Figure of the Earth ; Surveys of the Earth's Surface ; Base Lines ; Parallels and Meridians; Methods of the United States Surveys ; Barometric Measurements. Land Surveying—Areas; Distances ; Omissions and Corrections ; Standard Units; Metrical System; Refraction; Curvature of the Earth; Theories of Surveying Instruments ; Adjustment of Instruments. R. R. Surveying — Curves ; Turnouts ; Crossings; Obstructions ; Slope Stakes ; Earth-work; Grades; Curvature of Rails; Coning of Wheels ; Calculation and use of Tables.