Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1894 [PAGE 136]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

137

A still stronger reason for the proposed change is t h e fact t h a t among all the students who have been under my instruction (I have found but one or two exceptions to the general rule) a student with any marked ability in architectural designing is invariably weak and poor in mathematics. This is simply the result of the fact t h a t the two lines of intellectual work are quite incompatible, just as much as theology and real estate, or poetry and business. Many of the ablest designers having failed in mathematics, have become discouraged, have dropped everything except the technical architectural studies, and then have left the University without graduation, and therefore without any knowledge of mechanics and materials at all. Is it for the best interests of the students in architecture and of the University, for the University to require them to take a year's work in higher mathematics, which is condemned as practically useless by the architectural profession and is forgotten as quickly as possible after the examinations are over, merely for the sake of symmetry in the courses in the college of engineering, when a year of most valuable and necessary professional studies may be substituted therefor with comparatively little extra work or cost? An additional assistant in architecture will be needed during the next year under any conditions, on account of the great increase in the number of students. With this addition, the instructors in the department can arrange for the proposed changes in the course of the study in architecture. The course in architectural engineering should remain as at present, except slight changes in the order of the studies of the junior year. The course thus modified would stand as follows:

ARCHITECTURAL COURSE.

FIRST YEAR.

Advanced algebra; elements of draughting; shop practice; French, German, or English; military. 2. Trigonometry; descriptive geometry and lettering; shop practice; French, German, or English; military. 3. Analytical geometry; advanced descriptive geometry; shop practice. French, German, or English; military.

SECOND YEAR.

1. Applied mechanics; wood construction; physics; military. 2. Strength of materials; stone, brick, and metal construction; physics; military. 3. Roofs; sanitary construction; physics, military.

THIRD YEAR.

1. History of architecture; architectural drawing (orders); free hand drawing or modeling; themes and elocution. 2. History of architecture; architectural drawing; methods of finishing; free hand drawing or water coloring; themes and elocution. 3. History of architecture; details of styles; architectural drawing (office work); themes and elocution.

FOURTH YEAR.

1. Superintendence, estimates, and specifications; architectural perspective; chemistry; thesis.