PROGRAMS OF STUDY
The candidate who has satisfied the requirements for entrance as above
defined is matriculated as a student of Engineering and admitted to the Freshman
Class. The studies of this class comprise lecture courses in English, Mathematics,
Applied Mathematics, and Chemistry with associated laboratory courses
in Chemistry, Drawing, and Field-work. All Freshmen have the same courses.
For advancement to the Sophomore Class the student must have completed
at least two-thirds of his Freshman work. Upon entering this class the students
majoring in Chemical and Mechanical Engineering begin their specialized work,
while all others pursue identical courses of study through the year. On entering
the Junior year each student elects his specialty. At this time the students of
Mechanical Engineering must choose either the power or the aeronautical option.
The courses thereafter diverge according to the major subject chosen by the
student. Programs of study for each degree are given below.
The courses are so ordered that the specified entrance requirements are adequate
for the work of the Freshman Year. Each succeeding year presupposes the
completion of the work for all the foregoing years. Students are advised to adhere
strictly to the regular programs. The arrangements specified in them have
been carefully planned and are the best. Departures from the curriculum will in
almost every case produce conflicts in lecture hours or laboratory periods and
may cost the student a year's time. Haphazard election is discouraged and in
extreme cases will be prohibited. No student will be registered for a course
unless, in the opinion both of the Dean and of the professor, his preliminary
training has fitted him for the profitable pursuit of that course.
Students are especially advised against the attempt to crowd too many
studies into their scheme of work, and are warned that admission to advanced
courses will be granted only to those who have adequate mathematical and
scientific training to profit by them. Men overloaded with work, too great in
volume or in difficulty for their powers, suffer inevitable discouragement and
incur almost certain failure.
Changes of classes with transfer of fees may be made, subject to the approval
of the Dean, within two weeks after the beginning of any term. Thereafter
such changes may be made only by special order of the faculty, and then
without transfer of fees.
Upon the completion of the four years' course as defined in any one of the
Programs of Study, the faculty will award to any student in regular and honorable
standing the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering. Upon the completion
of the additional Graduate Course in a satisfactory manner the faculty
will award the appropriate degree of Chemical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical
Engineer, or Mechanical Engineer.
The five-year curriculum has been adopted at the University of Virginia in
view of the impressive and growing demand from practicing engineers and
industrial leaders that Schools of Engineering should enlarge the field of study
to embrace more of the humanities and better opportunities for student research,
to the end that the graduates may be better fitted to undertake their duties as
engineers and citizens.
