Repository: UIHistories Project: Course Catalog - 1892-1893 [PAGE 58]

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56

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

The department of physics has for its quarters a large lecture room provided with conveniences for lecture illustrations, such as projecting lantern, switch board, resistances, motors, etc.; also a laboratory for experimental work, a photometry room, and a photographic dark room. The equipment consists of a line of apparatus selected from the best makers with especial reference to lecture illustrations and quantitative laboratory work. Large additions have lately been made to the apparatus in this department. The equipment of the electrical laboratory adds greatly to the facilities for the treatment of electricity in general physics. 1. Major Course.—Lectures and Laboratory Work. This course is provided for the students in the College of Engineering and is required of them; it is also open to others wishing a more complete course in physics than course 2. In this course the most important principles of dynamics are taken up first. An elementary treatment of the theory of the potential is then given, followed by a study of the most important phenomena of magnetism and electricity, the treatment of electricity and periodic motion is followed by the discussion of sound, hydrodynamics, optics, thermics, and thermodynamics. The supply of apparatus for measurements is sufficient for fifteen students working at one time on the same experiment. This makes it possible, even with very large classes, for the experimental work in the laboratory to keep pace with the lectures. The laboratory work consists entirely of quantitative measurement made under the personal supervision of the instructors, with instruments of precision. The student is required to do as accurate work as can be done with these instruments. Possible sources of errors are studied and the effects of these errors on the results discussed. The experiments, which are about thirty-five in number, are designed to give the student a practical knowledge of the principles, laws, and phenomena of physical science; they are arranged as far as possible in logical sequence. An effort is made to have each student determine for himself the relation existing between the facts which he has observed and recorded in order to stimulate him to the formation of habits of sound thinking. Reading in standard works on theoretical and experimental physics is assigned from time to time. Fall, winter, and spring terms, full study. Assistant Professor SHEA. Required: Math., 3, or 4. 2. Minor Course.—Lectures and laboratory work. This course is designed to meet the wants of those whose line of study does not require so extended a knowledge of physics as is made in course 1; the