 | University of Virginia catalogue |  |
SCIENTIFIC DEPARTMENT.
| CHARLES S. VENABLE, LL. D. | Professor of Mathematics. |
| ORMOND STONE, M. A. | Professor of Practical Astronomy. |
| FRANCIS H. SMITH, M. A., LL. D. | Professor of Natural Philosophy. |
| JOHN W. MALLET, M. D., Ph. D., LL. D., F. R. S. | Professor of Chemistry. |
| FRANCIS P. DUNNINGTON, B. S. | Professor of Analytical Chemistry. |
| WILLIAM M. FONTAINE, M. A., | Professor of Natural History and Geology. |
| ALBERT H. TUTTLE, M. S. | Professor of Biology and Agriculture. |
| JAMES S. MILLER, B. S., C. E. | Instructor in Physics. |
| REUBEN M. SEARCY, A. B. | Instructor in Chemistry. |
| NICHOLAS M. PARRISH | Assistant in Astronomical Observatory. |
| HARRISON RANDOLPH | Instructor in Mathematics. |
| HALSTEAD S. HEDGES, B. S., M. A. | Instructor in Biology. |
SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS.
Professor Venable.
This School embraces two courses, as follows:
I. Pure Mathematics.
Junior Class.—This class meets three times a week (4½ hours),
and studies Theory of Arithmetical Notations and Operations; Algebra
through the Binomial Theorem, Indeterminate Coefficients and
Theory of Logarithms; Geometry, Plane and Solid; Geometrical
Analysis, with numerous exercises for original solution; Elementary
Plane Trigonometry, embracing the solution of Triangles, with
the use of Logarithms, and some applications to problems of "Heights
and Distances." The preparation desirable for it is a good knowledge
of Arithmetic, of Algebraic Operations through Equations of the Second
Degree, and of the first three books of Plane Geometry.
Text-books.—Todhunter's Algebra; Venable's Legendre's Geometry, with collection
of exercises; Todhunter's Trigonometry for Beginners.
Intermediate Class.—This class meets twice a week (3 hours),
and studies Geometrical Analysis, with exercises for original solution;
Plane Trigonometry, with applications; Analytical Geometry of two
dimensions; Spherical Trigonometry, with applications; Elements of
the Theory of Equations. The preparation desirable for this class is
Logarithms; of Synthetic Geometry, Plane and Solid, with a good
training in the solution of Geometrical problems; and a knowledge
of the elements of Plane Trigonometry, including the use of Logarithmic
tables.
Text-books.—Todhunter's Trigonometry, Puckle's Conic Sections, The Professor's
collection of Exercises in Plane Geometry.
Senior Class.—This class meets three times a week (4½ hours), and
studies Analytical Geometry of three dimensions, through the discussion
of the Conicoids and some curves in space; Differential and
Integral Calculus, with various applications; a short course in the
Calculus of Variations; the Theory of Equations; and lectures on
the History of Mathematics.
Text-books.—The Professor's Notes on Solid Geometry (Analytical); Todhunter's.
Differential Calculus; Courtenay's Calculus; Todhunter's Theory of
Equations.
Candidates for graduation in Pure Mathematics are required to pursue
in the University the studies of both the Intermediate and Senior
Classes.
II. Mixed Mathematics.
This course is designed for those students who may desire to prosecute
their studies beyond the limits of Pure Mathematics. It embraces
an extended course of reading under the instruction and guidance of
the Professor on the applications of the Differential and Integral Calculus
to Mechanics, Physical Astronomy, and selected portions of
Physics. The class in Mixed Mathematics meets once a week. A
diploma of graduation is conferred in Mixed Mathematics.
Text-Books.—Price's Infinitesimal Calculus, Vols. II and III; Cheyne's Planetary
Theory.
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 progress of the student in each class is tested constantly
by his being called upon to apply the principles acquired to
the independent solution of selected problems.
The Graduate Course includes the course of Mixed Mathematics,
with advanced studies in Modern Higher Geometry, Infinitesimal Calculus,
Doctor of Philosophy who select the Mathematics as their chief study,
the graduate course will extend through two years.
SCHOOL OF PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY.
Professor Stone.
The courses in this school are arranged primarily for persons proposing
to become practical astronomers. The course in General Astronomy,
however, is adapted to those who desire to pursue the subject
as a part of their general education; while the courses in Celestial
Mechanics are recommended to graduate students in Mathematics.
Each class meets twice a week.
The courses pursued are as follows:
I. General Astronomy.—Candidates for the degree of Bachelor of
Arts are permitted to select this course as an alternate for Mathematics.
Its aim is to give such a knowledge of the facts, principles, and
methods of Astronomy as every well-educated person should possess,
and as will form a suitable introduction to the technical courses of the
School. The preparation desirable is the same as that for Intermediate
Mathematics.
Text-book.—Young's General Astronomy.
II. Practical Astronomy, including a systematic training in making
and reducing astronomical observations.
Junior.—Least Squares; Interpolation; Practical Astronomy as
applied to Geodesy and Navigation.
Senior.—Theory and use of the instruments of a fixed observatory;
construction of star catalogues.
Text-books.—Doolittle's Practical Astronomy; Chauvenet's Spherical and Practical
Astronomy; various memoirs and volumes of observations in the Observatory
Library.
III. Celestial Mechanics, with practice in numerical computations.
Junior.—Relations referring to position in orbit and space; determination
of an undisturbed orbit; special perturbations.
Senior.—General laws of equilibrium and motion; formation and
integration of the differential equations of motion of a system of bodies
subject to the laws of gravity.
Text-books.—Gauss's Theoria Motus; Tisserand's Mécanique Céleste; Dziobek's
Mathematischen Theorien der Planeten-Bewegungen.
A prescribed course in this School, to be agreed upon in a conference
of the Professors interested, will be considered as the equivalent
of the graduate course in either Mathematics or Natural Philosophy
for graduates of these schools.
The Astronomical Observatory is situated upon an elevation
known as Mount Jefferson, which furnishes an unobstructed horizon.
The principal building is a rotunda, forty-five feet in diameter, and
contains the great Clark refractor of twenty-six-inch aperture. The
building and instrument are the gift of Leander J. McCormick, Esq.,
of Chicago. The computing rooms are adjoining, and contain clock,
chronograph, etc., and a working library. In a smaller building are a
three-inch Fauth transit and a four-inch Kahler equatorial.
SCHOOL OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.
Professor Smith.
This School includes two courses, as follows:
I. General Physics.
Junior Class.—The object of the course of lectures to this class is
to furnish the student with an introduction to Modern Physics, and to
acquaint him with its methods of investigation. With the design of
laying a thoroughly scientific basis for the course, a large space is
given at the outset to the discussion of the cardinal doctrines of
motion, force, energy, and potential, and to their simpler applications
in the pressure and motion of sensible masses. This discussion, while
it is elementary, is designed to be in harmony with the more thorough
mathematical treatment of the same topics and to be a helpful introduction
to it.
With this preparation the student proceeds to the subject of Molecular
Physics, embracing Sound, Light, Heat, and Electricity.
Throughout the course the laws of energy are kept steadily in view,
and an attempt is made to exhibit the evidence, daily becoming
stronger and clearer, for the belief prevalent among scientists that
the entire body of Physics is a coherent and harmonious system of
mechanical truth.
Members of the Junior Class are admitted at suitable times to the
Physical Laboratory, where they repeat and extend the experiments of
the lecture-room. Such exercise is required of candidates for the
shows that this privilege is highly valued and extensively used.
Text-books for '91-'92.—The Professor's Syllabus; Everett's Units and Physical
Constants. For Reference.—Anthony and Brackett's Text-book of Physics; Glazebrook's
Practical Physics; Atkinson's Ganot's Physics.
Senior Class.—This class studies selected portions of Elementary
Mathematical Physics. The members of the class are required to
spend about two months in the Physical Laboratory.
Text-books for '91-'92.—The Professor's Syllabus; Everett's Wave Motion;
Preston's Theory of Light; Glazebrook's Practical Physics.
Candidates for graduation in Natural Philosophy are required to
attend only the foregoing classes.
Class in Electricity and Magnetism.—As a part of the studies of
the third year in Mechanical Engineering, the Professor of Natural
Philosophy conducts a class in the theory of Electricity and Magnetism,
with especial reference to the measurements required in Electrical
Engineering and to the applications of the theory to Dynamo-Electric
Machines, Electric Lighting, and Electrical Transmission of power.
The instruction is by lecture with associated laboratory exercises.
Text-books for 1891-'92.—Peirce's Potential Function; Mascart and Joubert's
Electricity and Magnetism.
II. Practical Physics.
This Graduate Course is for students preparing to become teachers
of science, or desiring to push their studies in Physics beyond the
limits of the under-graduate work. The instruction is partly theoretical
and partly experimental, embracing the following topics:
Theoretical.—Reduction of observations; Method of Least Squares;
Graphical representation of results; Interpolation; Essays on prescribed
Physical topics.
Experimental.—In this, the main portion of the course, the student
will learn physical manipulation, and the use of instruments by actual
practice in the Physical Laboratory. (1.) Lecture-room Apparatus
and Lecture-room Experiments. (2.) Physical Measurements and Instruments
of Precision.
Text-books.—Merriman's Method of Least Squares; Kohlrausch's Physical
Measurements.
The Physical Laboratory consists of four connected rooms, one of
which is also used as a lecture-room. One of them is permanently
fourth apartment is so supported on massive piers as to be practically
insulated as regards sensible tremors. The needful appliances, in the
way of fixtures and apparatus for physical experiment and research,
have been so far supplied as to furnish ample opportunities in laboratory
work for undergraduates, and valuable facilities for the advanced
student in Practical Physics.
SCHOOL OF GENERAL AND INDUSTRIAL
CHEMISTRY.
Professor Mallet.
In this School there are two courses, as follows:
I. General Chemistry.
This course consists of three lectures a week, throughout the session,
to each of two classes, the one formed of the academic and the other
of the medical students taking the course. The fundamental ideas of
chemical science, the relations of Chemistry to Physics, the laws regulating
chemical combination by weight and by volume, the atomic
theory as at present viewed in connection with Chemistry, the chemical
nomenclature and symbols now in use, and a general survey of the
descriptive chemistry of the elements and their compounds, inorganic
and organic, are brought forward in order, with incidental allusion to
the applications in medicine, the arts and manufactures, of the facts
mentioned.
Text-books.—Fownes's Chemistry (last edition); Syllabus of the Professor's
Lectures. Recommended for Reference.—Roscoe and Schorlemmer's (or Miller's)
Elements of Chemistry; Watt's Dictionary of Chemistry.
II. Industrial Chemistry.
This course, in which also three lectures a week are delivered, examines
in detail the chemical principles and processes specially concerned
in the more important arts and manufactures, upon which the development
of the natural resources of the country in large measure depends,
the opportunity being thus presented of preparation for such positions
as those of the miner and metallurgist, the chemical manufacturer, the
dyer, bleacher, tanner, sugar refiner, etc.
Text-book.—Wagner's Chemical Technology. Recommended for Reference.—
Richardson and Watt's Chemical Technology; Muspratt's Chemistry as Applied
to Arts and Manufactures; Ure's Dictionary of Arts and Manufactures; Girardin's
Léçons de Chimie Élémentaire appliquée aux Arts Industriels; Percy's Metallurgy,
etc.
The lectures in both these courses are illustrated by suitable experiments,
and by such specimens, models, drawings, etc., as the various
subjects require. The collections of the University in illustration of
the processes and products of Industrial Chemistry have been procured
at much expense and pains in this country, England, France, and Germany,
and are unusually extensive and good—amongst the best on this
side of the Atlantic.
In both courses there are one or more reviews each week of the subjects
under discussion, involving questions put by, as well as to, the
students; and exercises in writing are from time to time given out to
afford practice in the calculations which are needed by the chemist.
In the course of Chemistry for the degree of Bachelor of Arts the
lectures on Chemical Physics may be omitted by the student.
The Graduate Course will consist of laboratory work on subjects
of original investigation. Advanced reading may also be prescribed,
especially in the shape of the bibliography of particular topics, to be
looked up from various sources and condensed by the student.
For admission to a graduate course in the School of General and
Industrial Chemistry, or in the School of Analytical and Agricultural
Chemistry, previous graduation in both the schools named will be
required; but this part of the requirement may be waived, provided
satisfactory evidence be furnished that the student has already made
equivalent attainments elsewhere.
SCHOOL OF ANALYTICAL AND AGRICULTURAL
CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY.
Professor Dunnington.
The regular work of this School, constituting a complete course in
Practical Chemistry, is arranged in two divisions, as follows:
1. A regularly-arranged course in Chemical Manipulation is first
given. This is followed by Blowpipe Analysis and Fire Assays of
ores of lead, silver and gold. A systematic course in Inorganic Qualitative
Analysis follows, with practice in the analysis of mixtures of
salts, alloys, ores, and so on. Instruction in the elements of Quantitative
the first half session.
2. The work of the second division is an extended course of Quantitative
Analysis, both gravimetric and volumetric. The student determines
the composition of ores, minerals, clays, soils, manures, technical
products, and so on. As he advances in the course he is encouraged
to undertake original research and assisted in its prosecution; and in
determining his fitness for graduation, work of this sort is considered
as having great weight.
Five lessons are given each week, and the Laboratory is open to
students six days in the week during all the working hours of the day.
Students may matriculate either for the Full Course or for the First
Course; but candidates for graduation are required to complete the
Full Course. Those who accomplish it are prepared for work as Analytical
Chemists, Assayers, or Teachers of Chemistry.
Among the works recommended to laboratory students are: Fresenius's Qualitative
and Quantitative Analysis; Greville Williams's Hand-Book of Chemical
Manipulation; Woehler's Examples for Practice in Chemical Analysis; Foye's
Hand-Book of Mineralogy; A. Classen's Elementary Quantitative Analysis.
In addition to the foregoing the following Special Courses are
given in this School. They are open without additional charge to the
regular students of the School. For fees to others, see Expenses.
1. A laboratory course on Determinative Mineralogy for students
of Engineering, embracing Blowpipe Analysis, Determinative Mineralogy,
and the application of chemical processes to the examination
of potable waters, coal, clays, building-stones, and other materials
employed in Engineering.
2. A laboratory course in Assaying including all of the above-mentioned
course on determinative mineralogy together with Fire Assaying
of ores of lead, silver, gold, etc., and practice in volumetric and
galvanic determinations, such as are commonly employed in the valuation
of certain technical products and ores.
3. A laboratory course of twelve lessons in Practical Pharmacy,
including the compounding and dispensing of drugs.
4. A lecture course of twenty-four lessons on Agricultural Chemistry,
including the chemical and physical properties of the atmosphere,
of soils and of plants; the chemistry of the processes of vegetable
life; the chemical composition and preparation of manures, and
so on. This course is open without charge to farmers.
For Reference.—Johnston's and Cameron's Elements of Agricultural Chemistry
and Geology (12th ed.); Johnson's How Crops Grow; Johnson's How Crops Feed.
The Graduate Course comprises practice in the more elaborate processes
of analysis, study of methods, and original investigations in the
composition of rare minerals and technical products presenting scientific
or economic interest.
The Chemical Laboratory is a building planned and erected for
the purpose. It is completely fitted with the most approved appliances,
and stocked with apparatus, models, materials and specimens.
The commodious lecture-room, with work and store-rooms attached, is
provided with every convenience for exhibiting a complete series of
experiments illustrating the lectures on General Chemistry. The large
room assigned to Analytical Chemistry will accommodate fifty working
students, and is furnished with work-tables, gas, water, and all
proper laboratory fixtures; smaller rooms are devoted to weighing,
evaporations, assaying, etc. and all requisite apparatus, chemicals,
minerals, materials for analysis, etc., are kept constantly supplied by
home purchase and importation.
The Museum of Industrial Chemistry, contained in the same
building, consists of a very large number of specimens, collected at
much expense and pains in this country and abroad, to illustrate the
products and processes of Chemistry applied to the arts and manufactures,
and is so arranged as to be a most valuable aid to the student of
Industrial Chemistry.
CORCORAN SCHOOL OF NATURAL HISTORY AND
GEOLOGY.
Professor Fontaine.
In this School there are two regular classes—Geology and Mineralogy.
Geology.—This subject is taught during the entire session, and
three lectures a week are devoted to it until the examination in Mineralogy,
which takes place usually in the latter part of February;
thereafter five lectures a week are given to Geology until the final examination,
which takes place late in April. The aim of the course of
instruction is to give as thorough an exposition of the fundamental
principles of the science as possible, and to teach the student how to
use them in practical work in the field.
Text-book.—Le Conte's Elements of Geology. For Reference—Dana's Manual
and Lyell's Elements and Principles of Geology. The teaching is chiefly by lecture.
Mineralogy.—This subject is studied until the intermediate examination
in February. Two lectures a week are devoted to it. Special
attention is paid to crystallography, as well as to the chemical and
physical properties of minerals. In Descriptive Mineralogy, the geological
occurrence, and the importance and relations of the species are
made prominent.
Text-book.—Dana's Manual of Mineralogy and Lithology. For Reference.—
Dana's Text-book of Mineralogy. The teaching is chiefly by lecture.
In the Graduate Course of this School subjects will be selected
from one or both of the branches included in the School, and assigned
to the students. As far as possible, original research will be required
in the treatment of the subjects chosen.
The Lewis Brooks Museum contains collections illustrating the
main subdivisions of Natural History. Each of the collections is
arranged so as to exemplify the principles of the science, and at the
same time offers a large variety of subjects for advanced study. In
Geology the specimens show all the different kinds of rocks, classified
according to mineral character and the formations in which they occur;
the collection of fossils, plaster casts, maps, etc., is exceptionally fine,
and fully illustrates Historical Geology. In Mineralogy the principles
of the science are made plain by well-chosen suits of specimens,
models of crystals, etc.; the general collection of minerals contains
all the important minerals, and many of the rarer ones, in good specimens.
Zoology is well illustrated by a fine and large collection of
mounted skeletons, stuffed animals, dried specimens, plaster casts,
etc. In Botany the collections contain charts, papier-maché models of
flowers and fruits, sections of wood, etc.; the bulk of the collection
is in the form of an herbarium selected from the most important and
interesting botanical regions of the world. In addition to the above,
a beginning has been made of a collection to illustrate the geology
and mineralogy of the State of Virginia, and this will be increased as
rapidly as possible.
These large and carefully-selected collections of geological and mineralogical
objects afford unsurpassed facilities for the full illustration
of the principles taught. As free access to these collections is allowed
the student, he can find in their study an opportunity, rarely obtained,
for gaining a practical acquaintance with natural objects acquired
from various parts of the world, and chosen for their typical character.
These collections are especially useful to students pursuing graduate
courses of study in Geology and Mineralogy.
The Professor, when the number of applicants is sufficient, organizes
a party for Geological exploration. The field work is done in the
month of July, and is entirely optional with the students. Persons
engaged in the study of Geology and Mineralogy may, although not
members of the University class, with the consent of the Professor, and
on paying $25 to the Proctor, join the exploring party.
MILLER SCHOOL OF BIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE.
Professor Tuttle.
The work of this School is specially designed to meet the wants of
two classes of students—those who desire such knowledge of the principles
of Biology as will prepare them for an intelligent study of the
relations of Biology to Agriculture, as well as of the principles of Agriculture
regarded as a practical application of biological knowledge;
and those who seek such acquaintance with the facts and laws of
Biology and the methods of biological research as will fit them for independent
work as students or as teachers in that department of knowledge.
There are four regular classes, each with two lectures a week
and associated laboratory work throughout the session, as follows:
Botany.—In this course the anatomy and histology of plants, the
elements of vegetable physiology, and the principles of morphology
and classification are successively studied. Special attention is paid
to the study of Fungi and Bacteria, and to the flora of the region.
Text-books.—Bessey's Botany; Gray's Manual.
Zoology.—The anatomy, histology, and embryology (together with
the morphological relations indicated thereby) of a series of representative
animals chosen from the principal divisions of the animal kingdom
will be studied, with particular attention, as far as time will
permit, to the Insects and other groups of economic importance.
Text-books.—Brooks's Hand-book of Invertebrate Zoology; Sedgwick's Translation
of Claus's Zoology.
Comparative Anatomy.—This course is devoted to the Anatomy,
Histology, and Embryology of Vertebrates, one or more systems of
organs being specially discussed and examined comparatively both in
the adult and the developing organism, and the normal histology of
man and of the domestic mammals being studied in detail.
Text-books.—Wiedersheim's Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates; Stirling's
Practical Histology; Foster and Balfour's Embryology.
Practical Biology and Agriculture.—The relations of Biology to
Agriculture are so manifold, and the subdivisions of the latter subject
so numerous, that it would be impossible to exhaust the discussion of
either in the work of any one year. A course consisting in part of
lectures and in part of an equivalent amount of practical work and
collateral reading will be offered yearly; in each case including the
discussion of selected topics pertaining to Economic Botany (such as
the diseases or the parasites of plants, the natural history of cultivated
varieties, and the like); to Economic Zoology (including such subjects
as the life-history and treatment of injurious or beneficial insects,
external or internal parasites, the special anatomy and physiology of
the domestic animals, etc.); and to questions connected with the
principles of Agriculture (such as the laws of the growth and nutrition
of crops, the drainage and tillage of soils, systems of rotation and
allied topics).
Text-books for 1891-'92.—Smith's Diseases of Field and Garden Crops; Ward's
Timber and its Diseases; Chauveau's Anatomy of the Domestic Animals; Tanner's
Principles of Agriculture.
Graduate Work will consist of original investigations of Biological
Problems of practical or scientific interest, under the direction of the
Professor. Subjects of research will be assigned to each student individually.
The Biological Laboratory is well provided with instruments for
the gross and minute dissection of animals and plants; microscopes,
microtomes, reagents, and materials for the staining and mounting of
preparations; apparatus for photography and microphotography, and
other necessary appliances, not only for student work, but for investigation
and research as well. In addition to the large and valuable
collections of the Brooks Museum, an abundant supply of other
necessary specimens and material is furnished. A library of reference
is attached to the Laboratory, and students have access to a number
of leading biological and agricultural journals, thus acquiring
practice in the intelligent use of current literature.
| University of Virginia catalogue | |