 | Catalogue of the University of Virginia |  |
Scientific Department.
VI.—SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS.
PROF. VENABLE.
This School embraces two distinct departments or courses:
1. Pure Mathematics.
2. Mixed Mathematics.
I. Pure Mathematics.—In the course of Pure Mathematics there
are three classes, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior.
In the Junior Class are studied the Theory of Arithmetical Operations
and Notation, Algebra, Geometry and Geometrical Conic
Sections, with discussions of the Ancient Geometrical Analysis, the
Theory of Transversals, and other subjects of Modern Geometry.
The preparation desirable for this class is the thorough study of
Arithmetic, of Algebra through Equations of the Second Degree,
and of the first four books of Legendre or Euclid.
In the Intermediate Class the studies are Plane and Spherical
Trigonometry with Applications, Analytical Geometry of two Dimensions,
the Theory of Equations and Elements of Descriptive
Geometry.
In the Senior Class the subjects of study are Analytical Geometry
of three Dimensions, the Differential and Integral Calculus with
applications to the Theory of Probabilities, and the Determination
of Mean Values and Centres of Gravity, and the Calculus of Variations.
and on some points in Controversial Mathematics, with brief
discussions of the elements of Trilinear Coördinates, of the Theory
of Determinants, the Theory of Complex Fractions, and of the
principles of the Method of Quaternions.
Text-Books in Pure Mathematics:
1. Junior Class—Venable's Higher Arithmetic, Robinson's University
Algebra, Legendre's Geometry. For reference and examples,
Todhunter's Algebra, Pott's Euclid, Taylor's Conic Sections.
2. Intermediate Class—Snowball's Trigonometry, Law's Logarithms,
Puckle's Conic Sections (Analytical Geometry), Church's
Descriptive Geometry. For reference, Todhunter's Theory of Equations.
3. Senior Class—Aldis' Solid Geometry, Courtenay's Calculus,
Todhunter's Differential and Integral Calculus.
II. Mixed Mathematics.—This course is designed for those students
who may desire to prosecute their studies beyond the limits
of the Pure Mathematics. It embraces Applications of the Differential
and Integral Calculus to selected portions of Mechanics, Physics
and Physical Astronomy. There is one class in the Mixed
Mathematics.
The instruction in each class in the School of Mathematics is conveyed
partly by lectures and partly by the systematic study of
approved text-books, the student being assisted by full and frequent
explanations from the Professor, and being constantly subjected to
rigid examinations. The progress of the student in each class is
also tested by his beig required to perform written exercises, in
which the principles acquired are applied to the solution of particular
problems.
Any student entering the school has the privilege of attending all
or any of the classes, and if prepared to enter an advanced class,
may often find it highly advantageous to review his previous studies
by attendance on a lower class also.
In the Junior Class there are three lectures each week; in the
Intermediate Class, two lectures each week; in the Senior Class,
three lectures each week.
In the Class of Mixed Mathematics, three lectures each week.
VII.—SCHOOL OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.
PROF. SMITH.
There are three classes in this School.
1. The Junior or General Class, which meets three times each
week throughout the session of nine months. The object of the
course of lectures to this class is to furnish the student with a comprehensive
view of Modern Physics, and to make him familiar
with its methods of investigation. With the design of laying a
thoroughly scientific basis for the course, a large space is given at the
force. These doctrines are established, and their leading consequences
are traced, without the use of mathematical symbols.
Guided by these truths, the teacher discusses, in the light of experiment,
the structure of matter according to the received atomic
hypotheses, and the equilibrium and motion of solids and fluids.
These topics, with various applications, occupy the first half of the
course of lectures.
The remainder of the course is devoted to Molecular Physics, and
treats of Capillarity, Osmose, Wave Motion, Sound, Light, Heat
and Electricity. In this, as in the previous portion of the lectures,
the established laws of motion and force are kept steadily in view,
and an attempt is made so to present and discuss the phenomena as
to convince the student that the entire body of Physics is a coherent
and harmonious system of mechanical truth.
Text-Book.—Silliman's Physics.
2. The Senior Class.—This class meets twice a week, and studies
Mechanics and Astronomy.
Text-Books.—Parkinson's Mechanics, Norton's Astronomy.
MINERALOGY AND GEOLOGY.
3. These subjects are assigned to a separate class, which the members
of the other classes in the School may attend without payment
of an additional fee. In this class the lectures commence with
General Mineralogy, which is treated with especial reference to
Geology, to which it is designed to be an introduction. In the lectures
on Geology, the specific identity of ancient and modern Geological
causes is pointed out; the present action of these causes,
whether atmospheric, aqueous or igneous, is considered, and their
effects in the past history of our planet are examined. The illustrations
are drawn, as far as practicable, from the Geological structure
of Virginia.
The students have an opportunity of familiarizing themselves with
the minerals, rocks and fossils exhibited in the lectures.
Text-Books.—Dana's Manuals of Mineralogy and Geology.
VIII.—SCHOOL OF CHEMISTRY.
PROF. MAUPIN.
The course of lectures in this School commences with such an
exposition of the phenomena and laws of Heat, Light and Electricity,
as is rendered necessary by their relations to chemical
changes and chemical theories.
The subject of Chemistry proper, is then taken up and presented
in the following order:
1. The history of the Metalloids and their combinations with each
other, and, in connection therewith, the exposition of the principles
of the Chemical Nomenclature, Symbols and Notation.
2. The general principles of Chemical Philosophy—including the
Simple and Current Affinity, &c.
3. The Metals—their combinations with the Metalloids, and their
saline combinations.
4. Organic Chemistry—including the general principles of Organic
Analysis, and the detailed consideration of the series of Hydrocarbons,
Alcohols, Ethers, Organic Acids and Bases, &c.
The processes for detecting Poisons, and the means of counteracting
their effects, are presented in their proper connections; and
throughout the course the applications of the facts and principles of
Chemistry to Medicine, Agriculture and the Arts are duly noticed.
The whole subject is presented in the lights of the modern Theories
of the science, which have recently gained so strong a foothold
throughout the Chemical world—the object being to place the student
in a position not only to enter, understandingly, upon any of
the practical applications of the science to which his attention may
be turned, but to keep pace with its development and progress.
Text-Book.—Fownes' Chemistry, last edition.
IX.—SCHOOL OF APPLIED MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING
AND ARCHITECTURE.
PROF. BŒCK.
The School is divided into three classes.
1. Junior Class—Theory and use of Engineering Instruments,[*]
Land Surveying[*] and Levelling,[*] Construction of Roads, Railroads
and Canals, Elements of Spherical Astronomy and Geodesy, General
Theory of Projections,[*] Orthogonal Oblique and Axonometric
Projections,[*] Field Practice,[*] Topographical Drawing,[*] Constructive
and Free-hand Drawing,[*] Drawing of Ornaments, etc.
Text-Books.—Mahan's Civil Engineering. Notes of the Professor.
2. Intermediate Class—Higher Geodesy and Spherical Astronomy,
Building and Architecture, Theory of Building Materials,[*] Foundations,[*]
Masonry and Framing,[*] Strength of Materials[*] and its practical
application to entire Constructions, Theory of Arches and
Domes, Construction of Roofs, Bridges and Tunnels, Private and
Public Buildings, Warming and Ventilation of Buildings, Perspective,
Shades and Shadows,[*] Stone Cutting, Orders and Styles of
Architecture, Free-hand Drawing continued, Drawing, Shading and
Coloring of Architectural Details and of Entire Buildings, Architectural
Design.
Text-Books.—Brunnow's Spherical Astronomy. Notes of the Professor.
3. Senior Class—Theory of Machinery and Machines,[*] Steam Engine,[*]
Hydraulic Engineering,[*] Mining Engineering,[*] Drainage,
Projection of Maps, Free-hand Drawing continued, Mechanical
Drawing and Design.[*]
Text-Books.—Weisbach's Theory of Machines. Notes of the Professor.
4. Class in Agricultural Engineering, Land Surveying and Levelling,
Road Making, Building Materials, Strength of Materials and
Application to Rural Constructions, Rural Architecture, Agricultural
Implements and Machines, Drawing and Design.
For the use of students in this school a commodious Drawing
Hall has been fitted up, and ample collections of Field Instruments
and Models, illustrating the principles of Hydraulic, Architectural
and Mechanical Engineering, have been provided. These models of
admirable workmanship were constructed for the University in the
widely known establishment of Schröder, of Darmstadt, Germany.
The subjects marked by the asterisk are those required for the students of
Mining Engineering in this school. (See Degrees, page 45.)
X. SCHOOL OF ANALYTICAL, AGRICULTURAL AND
INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY.
PROF. MALLET.
This School having been created with a view to the growing demand
for scientific knowledge in its applications to the useful arts
and to the development of the natural resources of the country, the
endeavor is made to render the teachings of the Chair as practical
as possible, while basing them upon sound principles of general science—thus
presenting the opportunity of preparation for such positions
as those of the miner and metallurgist, the chemical manufacturer,
the farmer, the dyer, bleacher, tanner, analytical chemist, &c.
The system of instruction consists of a course of Lectures upon
Technical Chemistry, and a course of Practical Work in the Chemical
Laboratory, either of which may be attended separately.
A.—Lectures.
In connection with this course there is but one class, the students
attending which hear three lectures each week throughout the session.
Amongst the more prominent subjects discussed are: The production
of Materials of very general application, including the Metallurgy
of Iron, Copper, Lead, Zinc, Tin, Silver, Gold, &c., the preparation
and properties of Alloys, and the processes of Electro-Metallurgy,
the manufacture upon the large scale of Acids, Alkalies, Salts,
Glass and Porcelain; the production and preservation of Food, including
the Chemistry of Agriculture, the processes of Bread
Making, Wine Making, Brewing and Distilling, the manufacture of
Sugar and Vinegar, the curing of Meat, the examination of Potable
Dyeing, Calico Printing, Tanning, and the preparation of India
Rubber; the Chemistry of those arts which afford us Shelter, embracing
the examination of Building Materials, Lime Burning, the
manufacture of Mortar and Cements, the Explosive Agents used in
blasting, as Gunpowder, Gun Cotton, Nitro-Glycerine, &c., Paints
and Varnishes, Disinfecting Materials, &c.; Heating and Ventilation,
the different kinds of Fuel and modes of Burning them; Illumination
by artificial means, Candles, Lamps, the preparation of
Petroleum, the manufacture of Illuminating Gas, Matches; the
Chemistry of Washing, the preparation of Soap, Starch and Perfumes;
the Chemical relations of Printing and Writing, the manufacture
of Paper, Ink, Artists' Colors, Photographic Materials, &c.
The lectures are illustrated by suitable experiments, and by such
specimens, models, drawings, &c., as the various subjects require.
Amongst books which can be usefully referred to in connection with
different parts of this course may be mentioned: Muspratt—Chemistry
as Applied to Arts and Manufactures; Richardson and Watts—Chemical
Technology; Ure—Dictionary of Arts and Manufactures; Dumas—
Traité de Chimie Appliquée aux Arts; Wagner—Die chemische Technologie;
Johnston—Agricultural Chemistry; R. Hoffmann—Theoretisch-praktische
Ackerbauchemie.
The subjects germane to Agriculture are treated of at different periods
of the lecture course, and cannot well be brought together
with a due regard to system, but the discussion more particularly of
soils, manures, &c., will be brought forward in January or February
(this year in February), with a view to the convenience of farmers
or others, not regular students of the University, who may desire
to attend this portion of the course separately. Such persons are
freely invited to thus temporarily join the class for the purpose in
question.
B.—Laboratory Course.
This is arranged for three classes:
1. The First Class meets twice each week during the session, on
each occasion spending from two to four hours in practical experiment
in the Laboratory. A regularly arranged course of practice
in Chemical Manipulation is first pursued; Qualitative Analysis is
then taken up, and, the means of detecting the most important
chemical substances having been learned, students are required to
find out for themselves by analysis the constituents of unknown
materials presented to them. Special attention is given to sub
stances having useful applications in the Arts or connected with
Agriculture. Towards the close of the session the elements of
Quantitative Analysis are taught, so far as the limitation of time will
permit.
2. The Laboratory will be open to the Second Class on five days
of each week during the whole of the working hours of each day.
A full course of instruction in Practical Chemistry, including the
Products, &c., will be given; and students will be assisted and
encouraged to undertake original research.
3. The Third Class is one specially intended for students of Medicine,
and will meet for lessons of two hours each once in the week
for four months of the session. To this class the practical applications
of Chemistry to Medicine will be taught—the detection of
Poisons, chemical and microscopical examination of Animal Products,
urine, blood, &c.
Amongst the works recommended to laboratory students are:
Fresenius—Qualitatire and Quantitative Analysis; H. Rose—Handbuch
der analytischen Chemie (also in French translation); Greville Williams—
Handbook of Chemical Manipulation; Wöhler—Examples for Practice in
Chemical Analysis; Bolley—Handbuch der technisch-chemischen Untersuchungen;
Odling—Practical Chemistry for Medical Students.
The Diploma of Graduate in this School will be conferred upon
such students as attend with diligence the Course of Lectures and
the Second Class of Laboratory Instruction, and give evidence on
examination of satisfactory attainments in the same. For the requirements
in this school for the degrees in Mining and Civil Engineering,
&c., reference is made to the general notice of Degrees.
Very ample and liberal provision has been made by the Board of
Visitors for the material means of illustration of the teachings of
this Chair. A new Laboratory building, of one hundred and twenty
feet in length, by forty-five feet in width, specially designed for the
purposes it is to serve, has been erected, containing twelve rooms—a
lecture-room, rooms for general analytical work, for furnace operations,
for evaporations and experiments with gases, balance rooms,
private laboratory, store-rooms for apparatus and reägents, &c.,
fitted with double windows for the preservation of uniform temperature,
and amply supplied with gas, water, and all proper laboratory
fixtures. All necessary apparatus, chemicals, minerals, models,
&c., and an unusually fine collection of specimens illustrating the
various arts and manufactures as practiced on the great scale, have
been procured from England, France and Germany.
It may safely be said that the University of Virginia is in this
department inferior in material preparation for instruction to no
institution of learning in America, and, in some respects, is probably
superior to any.
With a portion of the means supplied by the donation of the late
Mr. Samuel Miller of Lynchburg, the Board of Visitors of the
University have established, in connection with this School, two
scholarships, each of five hundred dollars per annum, and tenable for
two years (one to be filled and one vacated in each year), to be competed
for at a special examination upon the whole of the subjects
taught in the school, to be held near the close of each session—candidates
for this examination to be graduates of the School. Scholars
thus elected will be expected to continue their studies under the
Professor of the School during the term of their scholarships, and
performance of analyses and researches, &c., as may be required of
them. It is hoped that thus the opportunity may be afforded such
students of becoming thoroughly competent chemists, worthy of
public confidence in regard to all the purposes which their special
knowledge may subserve, and that even during their tenure of the
scholarships in question they may be able to render useful service in
the examination and analysis of agricultural and other materials of
general interest. They will be subject to no charge for tuition in
this School during the two years, but will be expected to defray the
expense of material they may consume in the Laboratory.
| Catalogue of the University of Virginia | |