Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1888 [PAGE 166]

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EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF INSTRUCTION.

169

Lies of rocks with the forces which were in operation when they were formed, that their appearance alone would suggest much 3oncerning their history. These subjects, With a review of the means by which the geologist ascertains the relative ages of rocks, occupied two hours per day during the term. In the third term, this class will devote the greater portion of .ts time to the evolution of the continent of North America. Each period will be studied with reference to the kinds of rocks ieposited, and their distribution; the origin and distribution of ts economic products, and the inferences to be drawn from these is to elevation, climate, oceanic currents, mountain making, and he succession of living forms. In addition to this a daily exercise will be given in the identiLcation of fossil forms, the interpretation of sections, the making > maps, or some kindred subjects. f This work will occupy two hours each day during the term. )ana's Manual is the text. During the second term the senior class1 in mining engineering ras given a course in economic geology. The instruction was ntirely by readings and conversations, and embraced the origin, istribution, essential characteristics, and production of geological iibstances used as abrasives, pigments, fictile and structural mateials, combustibles, ores, etc. During the third term the seniors from the schools of English nd modern languages, ancient languages, chemistry, and civil ngineering, will be given a rapid review of the entire subject of eology. The aim will be to put before the class, by means of lectures ad selected readings from the text (Dana), the best established icts of geological science, without entering much into detail or rgument. This will be supplemented by exercises designed to ive some familiarity with the principal groups of rocks and of >ssil forms. Two hours per day will be given to this class. The apparatus for instruction in geology has been increased iring the year by about eight hundred specimens of rocks and inerals, and a fine collection of fossil plants. Lack of room is a serious embarassment to the work of this 3partment. The preparatory class in elements of botany is also taught durg the third term, Gray's Manual and Lessons being the text.

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