Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1894 [PAGE 331]

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332

UNIVERSITY

OF I L L I N O I S .

D E P A R T M E N T OF PHYSICS AND ELECTRICAL E N G I N E E R I N G .

This department was created four years ago, preceding which physics had been taught by the professors of mechanical and mining engineering successively, and instruction in electrical engineering had been considered incidentally in the mechanical engineering course. This institution was the third in the United States to give instruction in physics by t h e laboratory method, for the inauguration of which Professor Robinson should have the credit. The instruction in physics is a peculiarly important part of all engineering courses and I regret t h a t time does not permit a more full discussion of some features of this work. In offering a course in electrical engineering the University of Illinois was comparatively late in the field and hence had only to follow established precedents. Although only recently established, the rate of development has been such t h a t this department in equipment and facilities of instruction compares favorably with the other engineering departments. For two years past this department has been in charge of Dr. D. W. Shea, who, by quiet, persevering efforts, is still further advancing t h e work of the department. The last department to be considered is t h a t of

MUNICIPAL AND SANITARY E N G I N E E R I N G ,

organized two years ago. This is an attempt to prepare young engineers for the important duties connected with the public works of cities. A t present this course does not differ greatly from t h a t of civil engineering, owing to the fact t h a t the head of this department has charge also of t h e instruction in theoretical and applied mechanics, which necessarily takes the larger part of his time and effort. Although this department was organized only two years ago, the head of it, Professor A. N. Talbot, has been a member of the faculty of the college of engineering for eight years, and his sound judgment, thorough scholarship, courteous manner, and earnest effort have added greatly to the advancement of the instruction in the college. The mathematical department differs from the others mentioned in t h a t there is no course bearing the same title.* Instruction in mathematics occupies a prominent place in t h e first two years of all engineering courses. The scope of the work is equal to t h a t of the engineering courses of the leading institutions of the country. During twenty-five years, and except for the first term, during the entire history of t h e University, the work of this department has been under the direction of Professor S. W. Shattuck, who by his faithfulness and courtesy has had the universal esteem and respect of his students. This completes the sketch of the history of the organization of t h e several departments of the college of engineering. Let us examine briefly, and it must be very briefly indeed, the steps in the progress of the college. Fifteen years ago there were 65 engineering students; 10 years ago, 112; 5 years ago, 158, and last year, 387; or a six-fold increase in fifteen years. This is a most remarkable growth for which those in authority deserve great credit, but conditions external to the institution alone made such a result possible. At about the time this institution was founded, an important educational change was inaugurated. In the onward march of civilization one after another of human employments have been wheeling into the line of the learned professions. First came t h e clergyman or priest, next the physician, then t h e lawyer. The use of steam as a means of transportation, and the consequent stimulation of all industrial

*Since this paper was read there has been added to the curricula a mathematical course in which mathematics constitutes the major study during the four years.