PH. D. COURSE.
The Post-Graduate Course in this School is so arranged as to enable
the student to concentrate his efforts in some special line of study. Selections
will be made from one or both of the subjects taught in the School. The work
will be adapted to the wants of the students, and, as far as possible, original
research will be required in the treatment of the branches chosen.
Candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts are required to pass in the
B. A. Course, and those for the degree of Master of Arts in the M. A. Course
in Geology and in Mineralogy, in addition to the B. A. Course. For the degree
of Doctor of Philosophy the candidate must, in addition to the requisites
for the degree of Master of Arts, complete the Post-Graduate Course.
The Lewis Brooks Museum contains collections illustrating the main
sub-divisions 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 Post-Graduate courses of study in Geology and Mineralogy.
The Professor, when the number of applicants is sufficient, organizes a party
of 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.
