 | Catalogue of the officers and students of the University of Virginia |  |
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.
MATRICULATION.
To be admitted into the University, the student must be sixteen
years of age; but the Faculty are authorized to dispense with this
requisition in the case of application for admission by two brothers,
one of whom is under the age of sixteen.
If the applicant for admission has been a student at any other incorporated
seminary, he cannot be received, but on producing a
certificate from such seminary, or other satisfactory evidence to
the Faculty, with respect to his general good conduct.
Every student is free to attend the schools of his choice, and no
other than he chooses; with the condition that he shall attend at
least three Professors, unless he has the written authority of his
parent or guardian, or the Faculty shall for good cause shown
allow him to attend less than three. But should he be twenty-one
years of age, or more, he is exempt from this condition as to the
number of his schools.
Before a student matriculates, he is furnished with a copy of the
laws, which he is required to read. On matriculating, he signs a
written declaration, that he will conform to those laws, and, if he
be a resident student, that he has deposited with the Patron all the
funds in his possession.
COURSE OF INSTRUCTION.
The Session commences on the 1st of October, and continues
without interruption until the 4th of July.
The mode of instruction is by lectures and text books, accompanied
by rigid daily and stated examinations.
In each school there are three regular lectures a week, besides
many others suited to the several subjects into which the school is
divided.
ACADEMICAL DEPARTMENT.
I.—ANCIENT LANGUAGES.
PROFESSOR HARRISON.
In this school are taught the Latin and Greek languages; the
Greek and Roman History, Geography, and Literature; and the
Hebrew language. The instruction is given partly by lectures and
examinations, and partly by comments on portions of the text-books
appointed to be read by the student. It embraces the following
subjects, distributed according to the classes.
I. Junior Latin.—1. General principles and doctrines of the Etymology.
2. The application of these general principles in the explanation
of the formation and composition of the words of the language,
considered individually, and without regard to their relations to
other words in a sentence.
The doctrine of the primary and secondary significations of
words is considered in connection with this branch of the subject,
and is illustrated in the lectures from day to day as occasion may
offer.
3. The accidence, or inflectional forms of words, expressing the
relations in which they stand to other words in a sentence. These
modifications of the forms of words are in like manner explained
by the application of the general principles of the Etymology.
4. The Syntax, or laws which govern the relations existing between
the several parts of a sentence or discourse, whether indicated
by the inflections of words, or by particles. This subject is
treated of partly in lectures specially devoted to it, partly by way
of prelections and comment on the portions of authors read in the
lecture room, and partly in connection with the written exercises.
For the above subjects the text-books are the Professor's printed
notes, Beck's Latin Syntax, containing the most important parts of
the Syntax of Zumpt's Latin Grammar.
5. The doctrine of the quantity of syllables, and the metres. The
students are advised to use Carey's Latin Prosody, or Anthon's
Prosody, which contains what is most useful in Carey's.
6. The Latin authors used as text-books are Horace, Virgil,
Cicero's Orations, and his Epistles ad Diversos, Terence, and
Cæsar's Commentaries. The last chiefly with a view to the written
exercises.
II. Senior Latin.—1. Prelections and commentaries on portions
of the classic authors, embracing, besides the other matters necessary
of the doctrines of philology taught in the Junior Class.
The text-books are Horace, Juvenal, Livy, and Tacitus.
2. Geography of Ancient Italy. The maps of ancient and
modern Italy, published by the "Society for the Diffusion of Useful
Knowledge," are recommended.
3. Roman History. This subject is taught by prelections, and
by examinations on the text-books. These are the History of
Rome published by the "Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge,"
Niebuhr's History of Rome, and the History of Rome in
Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopedia.
III. Junior Greek.—1. The Etymology, considered in its general
principles and in its applications, the Syntax, and the Prosody and
metres, are taught to this class in the same way as to the Junior
Latin.
For these subjects Kühner's Greek Grammar is the text-book.
2. The Greek authors read and explained in the lecture room, are
Xenophon's Anabasis, Herodotus, and a play of Æschylus or Euripides.
The Greek and English Lexicon of Donnegan is that preferred.
IV. Senior Greek.—1. Prelections and commentaries on portions
of the Greek classic authors, in the same way as in the Senior
Latin class, and embracing the like subjects.
The Greek authors used as text-books in this class are Euripides,
Sophocles, Thucydides, and Homer. The student should have besides
Kühner, Matthiae's Greek Grammar, 5th edition of the translation.
2. Ancient Geography of Greece. The printed notes of the Professor
form the text.
3. Ancient History of Greece. It is taught by prelections, and
by examinations on the text-books. These are Thirlwall's History
of Greece, or the History of Greece in the Library of Useful
Knowledge.
It is expected of the students of Latin and Greek that they shall
read in their rooms such authors and parts of authors, prescribed
by the Professor, as cannot be read in the lecture room; e. g.:
Cicero's Epistles to Atticus, his Orations (selected), and Treatise
"de Republica;" Sallust, Virgil, Terence, Plautus; Æschylus,
Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Demosthenes, Æschines, Thucydides,
&c.
As an essential part of the plan of instruction, the students of
each class are required to furnish written exercises; which consist
in the conversion of Latin or Greek into English, and of English
into Latin or Greek. The exercises are examined by the Professor,
and the errors marked; they are then returned to the students, and
the corrections stated and explained in the presence of the class.
For these exercises the classic authors are used as the text.
V. Hebrew.—The text-books are Biblia Hebraica, Bush's, Nordheimer's,
or Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar, and Gesenii Lexicon
Hebr. Chald.
In the written translations required as a test of the qualifications
of candidates for degrees, the passages used are selected by the
committee of examination, not from the portions of authors which
have been read and explained in the lecture room, but at will from
the classic writers generally.
II.—MODERN LANGUAGES.
PROFESSOR SCHELE DE VERE.
The subjects taught in this school are:
1. The French, Italian, Spanish, and German Languages, and
the English in its Anglo-Saxon form, and their literature.
2. The History and Geography of Europe from the fall of the
Roman empire to the present day.
There are two classes in French, one for beginners, the other for
more advanced students; and the same arrangement is made, when
necessary, in the other languages. Opportunity is also given to
practise speaking the languages. The method of instruction is by
lectures, examinations, written exercises, and comments on the
text-books as read in the lecture room, the principal classic authors
in each language being used for this purpose.
Two degrees in this school are required as a condition for obtaining
the degree of A. M.
III.—MATHEMATICS.
PROFESSOR COURTENAY.
In this school there are four classes.
Of these, the Junior commences with the theory of Arithmetic,
the student being supposed to have rendered himself practically
familiar with its various rules before entering the University. The
elements of Algebra are then taught, and after the first difficulties
are mastered, the subjects of Algebra and Synthetic Geometry are
pursued simultaneously.
In the second or Intermediate Class, after completing the course
of Algebra, commenced in the preceding class, there are taught
successively the theory of Plane and Spherical Trigonometry,
with the application of the former to the measurement of heights
and distances, and of the latter to Nautical Astronomy, the theory
and practice of Land Surveying and Levelling, Navigation, and
Descriptive Geometry, with its applications to Spherical Projections,
Shadows, and Perspective.
The Senior Class begins with the subject of Analytical Geometry,
the course of Pure Mathematics with the Integral Calculus.
There is also a class of Mixed Mathematics, designed exclusively
for such of the more advanced students as may desire to
study the subjects taught therein.
The course embraces the mathematical investigation of the
general laws of equilibrium and motion, both of solids and fluids,
with a variety of applications, especially to Physical Astronomy.
It consists chiefly of selections from the works of Poisson, Francœur,
Pontecoulant, and others.
The instruction in each class 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 every class is also tested by his being
required to perform written exercises, in which the principles acquired
are applied to the solution of particular problems.
The text-books used are: for the Junior Class, Lacroix's Arithmetic,
Davies's Bourdon's Algebra, and Legendre's Geometry.
For the Intermediate Class, Bourdon's Algebra, Legendre's Geometry
and Trigonometry, Davies's Surveying, and Descriptive
Geometry. For the Senior Class, Davies's Analytical Geometry,
Young's Differential Calculus, and Young's Integral Calculus.
Any student entering the school has the privilege of attending all
or any of the classes, as he may elect, and if prepared to enter an
advanced class, may often find it highly advantageous to review
his previous studies by an attendance on a lower class also.
IV.—NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.
PROFESSOR WILLIAM B. ROGERS.
There are three classes in this school: the Junior and Senior
classes of Natural Philosophy, and the class of Geology and Mineralogy.
In the Junior Class the illustrations are experimental and graphical,
with references to the simpler truths of Geometry. In the
Senior Class the subjects, where they admit of it, are discussed
mathematically. The aim of the course being a comprehensive
view of general Physics, the instructions are given chiefly by lectures,
though aided from time to time by text-books. The following
is the plan of the course.
TERRESTRIAL MECHANICS.
1. General or Rational Mechanics; consisting of Statics and
Dynamics, or the doctrines of Equilibrium and Motion, and their
various applications.
2. Mechanics of Solids.—Molecular Structure of Solids, Excitement
and Transfer of Force, Elements of Machinery, Friction,
Strength of Materials, Motive Powers, &c.
3. Mechanics of Liquids.—Molecular Structure, Resulting Laws
of Equilibrium and Pressure, Flotation, Specific Gravities, Waves,
Motion through Pipes, &c., Resistance, Hydraulic Machines, &c.
4. Mechanics of Airs.—Molecular Structure, Elasticity, &c.;
Atmosphere, Barometers and Formulæ, Resistance, Pneumatic
Machines, Hydro-Pneumatic do., &c.
5. Capillarity and Endosmose.—Laws and Theory of Capillaries,
Laws of Diffusion, &c.
6. Acoustics.—Mechanism of Molecular Vibrations, Sound-waves,
Propagation and Reflection, Musical Vibration of Chords,
&c.; Musical Scales and Instruments, Speech and Hearing, &c.
7. Thermotics or Heat.—Temperature, Expansion, Latent and
Specific Heat, Heat of Combination, Conduction, &c.; Melloni's
Laws, Vapours, Meteorology, Steam Engine, &c.
8. Electricity.—1st. Mechanical. Excitation, Conduction, &c.;
Atmospheric; 2d. Chemical. Excitation, Transfer, Effects, &c.;
Natural Sources and Application of Electricity, &c.
9. Magnetism.—1st. Statical. Induction, Distribution, &c.;
Magnetism of Globe, Dip, &c.; 2d. By Currents. Electro-Magnetic
Phenomena and Laws, Thermo-Electricity, &c.
10. Optics.—Propagation, Reflection, Refraction of Light; Chromatics,
Dispersion, Polarization, &c.; Theories, Optical Instruments,
Photography, the Eye, &c.
CELESTIAL MECHANICS OR ASTRONOMY.
1. Descriptive Astronomy.—General View of Celestial Phenomena,
Modes of Observing and Computing the Places and Motions
of the Heavenly Bodies, Theory of the Celestial Motions, &c.
2. Physical Astronomy.—Investigation of Forces, Planetary Gravitation,
Perturbations, Tides, Nebular Theory, &c.
In the class of Geology and Mineralogy especial attention is
given to the structure and mineral products of our own country.
The great mineral zones are described by reference to maps and
sections, the order of stratification pointed out, the nature of the
materials shown by specimens, and the relations of all these features
to the agriculture and other resources of the country particularly
dwelt upon. Modes of exploring are taught, and methods
given for the analysis of ores, rocks, and soils.
Text-Books.—Reference is made in the Junior Class to the works
of Herschell, Brewster, Lardner, &c.; in the Senior, to Young's
Analytical Mechanics, and Norton's Astronomy; in Geology, to
Lyell, Trimmer, or De la Beche, and in Mineralogy, to Allen,
Dana, or any of the leading works.
V.—CIVIL ENGINEERING.
This school comprises the following branches of instruction,
viz.:
I.—Graphical Mathematics, embracing Descriptive Geometry,
Perspective Mensuration, &c.
II.—Theory of Levelling and Surveying, both ordinary and topographical.
III.—Theory of Roads, Railroads, Canals, Bridges, &c.
IV.—Theoretical Mechanics, Hydrostatics and Hydrodynamics,
as connected with Engineering.
V.—Laws of Heat and Steam, Theory and Construction of the
Steam Engine.
VI.—Geology and Mineralogy.
VII.—Levelling, Surveying, &c., taught practically in the field.
VIII.—Plan Drawing, Plotting, Topographical Drawing and
Sketching.
The subjects named under the six first heads are divided between
the Professors of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. Those included
under the 7th and 8th heads are taught by the Teacher of
Drawing, under the superintendence of the Professor above mentioned.
VI.—CHEMISTRY.
PROFESSOR R. E. ROGERS.
This subject included in the medical as well as the general academic
course, and forming a department of the School of Chemistry
and Materia Medica, may be studied separately, or in conjunction
with the latter.
The Lectures, which are delivered twice a week throughout the
session, embrace a very full illustration of all the topics of theoretical
or practical importance in the science, and in its applications
to Mineralogy, Geology, the Chemical Arts, Agriculture and Physiology.
Beginning with an account of the phenomena and laws of Heat,
Light, and Electricity, Mechanical and Voltaic, the course next
takes up the doctrines of chemical reaction, presenting a full and
minute view of the principles of definite combination, with their
hypothetical expression in the form of the atomic theory, and illustrating
these doctrines by numerous experiments and drawings.
To this succeeds Pneumatic Chemistry, in which are discussed the
preparation, properties and applications of the various gaseous
bodies and their compounds.
This is followed by the detailed account of the metals, their oxides,
chlorides, and other compounds, connecting with each metal
accompanied by illustrations of the various processes of analysis
deduced from the preceding facts.
Organic Chemistry is next taken up, embracing an account of
all the more important organic acids, alkaloids and neutral principles,
together with a view of the alcoholic, acetous and other
fermentations; the Chemistry of nutrition, growth, respiration, &c.,
in the vegetable and animal economy, and that of soils and manures
as connected with agriculture.
In connexion with these topics, minute experimental illustrations
are given of all the valuable processes for detecting poisons
and for counteracting their effects. The more important operations
of analysis, as applied to ores, marls, &c., are also described
and exemplified.
Throughout the course, use is continually made of ample diagrams
illustrating the chemical reactions, according to the method
of equivalents; and the bearings of the recent generalizations of
Dumas, Liebig, Kane, Graham and others, are particularly referred
to.
VII.—MORAL PHILOSOPHY.
PROFESSOR TUCKER.
There are two classes in this school. The Junior Class studies
Rhetoric, Belles-Lettres, and Logic, the first half of the session,
and Belles-Lettres and Ethics the last half.
The Senior Class studies Mental Philosophy the first part of the
session, and Political Economy the last. The examinations are on
the Professor's Lectures, Brown's Philosophy, Say's Political Economy,
Smith's Wealth of Nations, the Professor's works on Money
and Banks, and Rents, Wages and Profits.
In the Junior Class the examinations are on the Professor's Lectures,
Blair's Lectures, Campbell's Rhetoric, Stewart's Active and
Moral Powers, and Whately's Logic.
The students in this school are also exercised in composition.
LAW DEPARTMENT.
PROFESSOR H. ST. G. TUCKER.
This school is arranged into two classes. The subjects studied
by the Junior Class are the Elementary Principles of Municipal
Law, the Law of Nature and Nations, the Science of Government,
and Constitutional Law. The text books used will be Blackstone's
Commentaries, that portion of Kent's Commentaries which treats
of Constitutional Law and the Law of Nations, the Federalist, the
delivered on the connexion between the Law of Nature and Municipal
Law; on the Science of Government and its various forms,
particularly the representative and federative; and on the various
topics of Constitutional Law discussed in the text-books. In the
arrangement of the political part of this course, the Professor's
object has been to lay before the student the most able dissertations
on both sides of the great constitutional questions which have
arisen in our country; to impress upon his mind the inestimable
value of the union on the one hand, and the vital importance of
preserving the rights of the States on the other; thus guarding him
against latitudinarian constructions and the invasion of the reserved
rights of the States, while the disorganizing principles which lead
to convulsion and disunion are earnestly discarded and industriously
controverted.
The subjects studied by the Senior Class are the Common and
Statute Law, the Principles of Equity and the Maritime and Commercial
Law. The text-books will be Stephens on Pleading,
Tucker's Commentaries, Smith's Mercantile Law and Starkie's
Evidence.
The following additional works will be useful to the student for
occasional examination: Thomas's Coke, Lomax on Executors,
and Lomax's Digest.
Junior Class.—Paley's Philosophy, Constitution of Virginia.
Those who desire to graduate are required to attend both classes.
The design of this arrangement is to embrace in the Junior
course those studies which not only form an essential part of a
liberal professional education, but which from their universal interest
and importance, constitute a highly useful branch of general
education: whilst the Senior course is exclusively occupied with
the study of the theory and practice of Law, as a profession.
Students can attend either or both the classes; and those not
wishing to study Municipal Law at all, can enter for that portion
of the Junior course which includes National Law, Government
and Constitutional Law.
On the text-books of both classes, comments are delivered by the
Professor, in which it is his object to supply what is deficient, and
explain what is obscure in the text, and to offer such remarks as
he deems necessary to a thorough understanding of the subject
under consideration. In those on Municipal Law, he refers to the
leading cases and authorities, American and English, illustrative
of the topic treated by the author, and particularly explains in its
appropriate connexion, the Statute Law of Virginia and the United
States, and its effects on the pre-existing law. Each lecture is
preceded by an examination on the last, together with its text.
By a recent act of the legislature a diploma in this school dispenses
with the necessity of a license from the judges.
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
I.—CHEMISTRY AND MATERIA MEDICA.
PROFESSOR R. E. ROGERS.
The chemical branch of this school is common to the medical
and academical students, and has already been described. Candidates
for the medical degree, although not required to graduate
previously in chemistry, are expected to have such an acquaintance
with the science generally, as is needful for the clear understanding
of medical and pharmaceutical chemistry, and the chemistry
of functions.
The course of Materia Medica embraces:
I.—General Therapeutics, or an account of the effects of the
various classes of remedies on the organism, and their modus
operandi, so far as understood.
II.—Special Therapeutics, or the application of these agents to
individual diseases, as suggested by experience or the theory of
the particular disease.
III.—A detailed account of the medical agents, in their commercial
history, physical properties, chemical habitudes, pharmaceutical
preparations, doses, and medical applications.
To aid the student in arranging the multifarious details of the
subject, and to abridge the labour of note-taking, a tabular digest
of all the topics treated of, is at each lecture placed before the
class. Upon this and the details of the lecture, the student is expected
to be prepared, as well as upon the corresponding parts of
the text-book.
The means of illustration in Materia Medica are unusually
ample, embracing a very full series of specimens of medicines in
their various states, and an extensive suite of accurate coloured
drawings of medical plants, on an enlarged scale.
The lectures on chemistry are delivered twice a week, those on
Materia Medica once a week throughout the course. Meetings for
examination are held separately generally three times a week.
II.—MEDICINE.
PROFESSOR HOWARD.
In this school are taught Medical Jurisprudence, Obstetrics, the
Principles and Practice of Medicine. It is composed of two
classes. One of Medical Jurisprudence, and consisting of law,
academical and medical students. The other of Obstetrics, the
Principles and the Practice of Medicine, and consisting wholly of
proficiency in Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry and Materia
Medica, before he is required to apply these branches in the study
of the Principles and the Practice of Medicine, the course is
opened with Medical Jurisprudence, which is followed by Obstetrics,
and both are completed before the Principles or the Practice
of Medicine are taken up.
MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE.
The lectures on this branch show the aid which legislation and
the administration of the laws derive from medicine, and consist
chiefly of the application of the principles of medical science to
the elucidation and administration of the laws, and the legal decisions
in cases of insanity, every variety of mental impairment,
crime, &c., &c. Text-books the Professor's Outlines, and Beck.
OBSTETRICS.
The lectures on this branch comprehend an account of all
labours, natural, preternatural, and instrumental, the professional
assistance to be afforded in each, the treatment of the female before,
during, and after delivery, and the diseases of infancy. The
lectures are amply illustrated by specimens and plates, and all
manual evolutions, and the application of instruments, are demonstrated
on the improved phantome of Hebermehl. The students
also practise manual and instrumental delivery on the mannikin.
Text-books, the last edition of Meigs, and Moreau.
THE PRINCIPLES OF MEDICINE.
The Principles of Medicine, as taught in this school, comprise
General Pathology, and a brief view of General Therapeutics;
also Etiology, Nosology, Semeiology, Diagnosis, and Prognosis.
The nature and division of causes are first considered, which introduces
the student to their effects—diseases. Pathology proper
is next considered under the two forms, Functional and Structural
diseases. Functional diseases, being composed of elements, ultimate
and proximate, are analyzed into their constituent parts, and
the elements considered separately before they are contemplated
in combination. Structural diseases being rarely confined to one
anatomical element, cannot be strictly distinguished into ultimate
and proximate elements, and are therefore arranged under the
three heads, increased, diminished, and perverted nutrition. After
the student thoroughly understands the nature of the causes of
diseases, their divisions, modes of operation, and the resulting
effects upon function and structure in the ultimate and proximate
can be brought to remove or counteract their elements. And the
course on the Principles is then concluded by the consideration
of nosology, semeiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and the different
modes of death. Text-books, Williams's Principles.
PRACTICE OF MEDICINE, OR SPECIAL PATHOLOGY AND SPECIAL
THERAPEUTICS.
As the most natural and practically useful arrangement, all local
diseases are classified and treated of according to their locality, or
the organ or set of organs which they affect, whilst general diseases
are arranged altogether pathologically. Much attention is
given to Physical Diagnosis. Pathological Anatomy occupies a
conspicuous place in the course, and is illustrated by Carswell's
large and splendid coloured plates, and, when practicable, by specimens.
Text-books, second edition of Dunglison's Practice, and
Clymer's Williams'.
III.—ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, AND SURGERY.
PROFESSOR CABELL.
There are two classes in this school, one of Anatomy and Surgery,
the other of Physiology.
In the former, the lectures are illustrated by the demonstration of
wet and dry anatomical preparations, by the use of the best drawings,
and especially by dissections of fresh subjects, with which the
school is abundantly supplied.
As, owing to the length of the session, the medical students attend
but two lectures a day, ample time is allowed them for private dissection.
In the lectures on Physiology are considered, after a brief notice
of the structure of the human organs, their functions, or the actions
by which they fulfil special offices in the economy of the human
system, the mode in which these actions are accomplished, and the
influence of external agents, as well as of the reaction of the organs
on each other, whether as healthful stimuli or sources of disease.
The Professor aims to adapt his lectures in this class to the wants
of the unprofessional student, who may desire to include in a course
of liberal education an acquaintance with the general principles of
the science of life.
In the class of Anatomy and Surgery, the students are examined
during the first half of the session on the Professor's lectures, and
on some approved treatise on Human Anatomy recently published,
such as Goddard's Wilson's Anatomy, Pancoast's Wistar's Anatomy,
Horner's General and Special Anatomy, or Pattieson's Cruveilhier's
Surgery, and is examined on the Professor's lectures and on Druitt's
Modern Surgery.
The examinations on Physiology are on the Professor's lectures
and on some one of the recent works on this science, such as Dunglison's
Human Physiology, or Carpenter's Human Physiology.
ORGANIZATION OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
The organization of the Medical Department of the University
of Virginia having been framed with a view to incorporate with
the system of instruction by public lectures the important advantages
of private pupilage, presents peculiarities to be found in no
other School of Medicine in the Union. It would be needless to
detail the circumstances by which the University has been enabled
to secure to Virginia and to the South generally, all the benefits of
a school so advantageously organized, but it is deemed right, after
several years of successful operation, during which upwards of
eight hundred medical students have been educated, that the public
should be made acquainted with the peculiarities of a plan which
ample experience has shown to be admirably calculated to fulfil
the intentions of its founders.
1. Unlike other Medical Schools, the session is of the same
length as the academic session, nine months, and but two lectures
are delivered on the same day. This arrangement, while it enables
three Professors to perform all the duties which in other schools,
with shorter sessions, are assigned to six, affords the student unusual
facilities for acquiring gradually, and thereby digesting, the information
conveyed to him by oral instruction, without that confusion
of thought and fatigue of mind which are inevitable when, as
always happens in city schools, he has to encounter daily six or
seven lectures delivered in rapid succession.
2. Immediately before each lecture the students are subjected to
a full and rigid examination on the subject of the preceding lecture,
or on portions of some approved text-book. This practice of daily
examinations, constituting one of the peculiar features in the organization
of this school, enables the Professors to explain both the
obscurities of the text, and such parts of their lectures as may
appear to be imperfectly understood by the class, and thus supplies
the student with a most valuable means of fixing in his mind correct
information, while it has an incidental advantage in familiarizing
him with the mode of trial to which he is subjected in his
final examination for graduation.
3. The length of the session renders practicable such a division
of the subjects of study, that the student has an opportunity of being
well grounded in the elementary branches of medical science before
he is required to listen to discourses on more complicated subjects.
It is, then, apparent, that this institution offers to students of medicine
completing the study of their profession, while its connexion with a
general University, and its other features as already adverted to,
will afford them the most favourable opportunity for laying the
foundation of a liberal, scientific, and professional education.
4. Any person of approved moral conduct may offer as a candidate
for graduation, and receive the degree of M. D., without
reference to the time he has been engaged in the study of Medicine,
or of joining the school, provided he undergoes in a satisfactory
manner the various examinations prescribed by the enactments.
5. Connected with the Medical School is an Anatomical and
Pathological Museum, which has been lately enriched with valuable
and rare specimens, selected in Paris by one of the Professors.
An annual appropriation is allowed by the authorities of the University
for the purpose of procuring subjects, so that ample means
for the study of Practical Anatomy are thus afforded to each student
at the trifling cost of five dollars. The students have ready
access to the public library, containing in its medical department
most of the standard works of the profession, and several sets of
splendid anatomical plates.
6. The expenses for the entire session of nine months, commencing
on the first of October, are limited to $228—a sum not
exceeding that which is paid for a session of four months in city
schools. It provides for board, including bed and other room furniture,
washing and attendance—fuel and candles—rent of dormitory—use
of library and other public rooms—fees to the Professors
—dissecting fees and subjects for dissection.
As the Philadelphia and other city schools require as a condition
for graduation that the candidate shall have attended two full
courses of lectures, and recognise one course in this institution as
equivalent to one of their own, students who wish to take their
diplomas in Philadelphia, will yet find an advantage in availing
themselves, for the first session, of the peculiar benefits of a school
organized on the plan above described.
EXAMINATIONS.
These are of three kinds; first, the daily examinations, which
precede or alternate with the lectures; second, the public examinations,
two in number, held the one about the middle of the session,
the other at its close; and third, the examinations for graduation,
held towards the end of the session.
DAILY EXAMINATIONS.
In the daily examinations the student is questioned both upon the
subjects of the preceding lecture and such portions of the text-book
thus tested is noted numerically at the time of examination, and
the mean of these numbers, indicating his average standing in each
class, is communicated to his parent or guardian in the printed
circular which is sent home at the close of every month.
The literary value attached to the numbers thus used is seen in
the following table:
| 5 | signifies very well prepared. |
| 4 | signifies well prepared. |
| 3 | signifies tolerably prepared. |
| 2 | signifies badly prepared. |
| 1 | signifies very badly prepared. |
| 0 | signifies entirely unprepared. |
PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS.
The two public examinations, embracing respectively all the
subjects treated of in the first half, and all those treated of in the
second half of the session, are thus conducted:
The Professor of the school prepares in writing a series of questions
to be proposed to the class, and affixes to them numerical
values, according to his estimate of their relative difficulty. On
the assembling of the class for examination, these questions are for
the first time presented to them; and they are required to answer
in writing in a prescribed time, without communication with one
another or with other persons, and without any reference to books.
Their answers are subsequently carefully examined and compared,
and a value attached to each, not exceeding that of the corresponding
question. In the schools of languages subjects may also be
selected for oral examination, and the values of these exercises are
marked at the time.
The students are then arranged into four divisions, according to
the merit of their examination, as determined by the following
method: The numerical values attached to all the questions are
added together, and also the values of the answers given by each
student. If this last number amounts to three-fourths of the first,
the student is ranked in the first division; if it be less than three-fourths,
and as much as one-half, in the second; if less than one-half,
and as much as a fourth, in the third; if less than a fourth, in
the fourth division. The examinations are conducted and the
results ascertained by a committee, consisting of the Professor of
the school and two other Professors.
The standing of the student at these examinations is communicated
to his parent or guardian in the last circular of the session.
Those who attain the first division receive in public, at the close
of the session, a printed certificate of their distinction at one or
both of the examinations, as the case may be, and their names are
the course.
These public examinations, though less thorough than the examinations
for graduation, are sufficiently comprehensive and difficult
to render it impossible for the student, without steady diligence,
to secure a place in the first division.
EXAMINATIONS FOR GRADUATION.
These are partly oral and partly in writing, and are conducted
by the Professor of the Department, in the presence of two other
Professors, forming with him the committee of examination for the
school. Here the student is subjected to searching interrogations
upon the details and niceties as well as the leading principles of
the subject, and he is expected to be accurately versed in all the
topics treated of in the lectures and the correlative texts.
As a due acquaintance with our own language is made indispensable
to the attainment of even the inferior honours of the University,
all candidates for degrees are subjected to an examination, in order
to test their qualifications in this respect. At this, which is called
the English Examination, and is held near the close of the session,
the student is called upon to correct in writing numerous errors in
spelling, grammar, and punctuation, and is required to prepare at
the time a short composition on some appointed theme.
DEGREES.
These are of two classes, Academical and Professional.
The Academical degrees are first, that of Proficient in certain
special departments of a school; second, that of Graduate in a
school; and third, that of Master of Arts of the University of
Virginia.
The degree of Proficient, otherwise called a certificate of proficiency,
applies only to those branches of some of the schools which
by the regulations the student is allowed to attend separately.
These are Geology and Mineralogy, Political Economy, Medical
Jurisprudence, Logic, Physiology, and Constitutional Law and
Government.
The degree of Graduate in a school embraces, in the school of
Ancient Languages, the Latin and Greek Languages; in that of
Modern Languages, any two of the languages taught in the school;
in that of Mathematics, all the studies of the school except the
mixed mathematics; in that of Natural Philosophy, the same,
omitting Geology and Mineralogy; in that of Chemistry, the same,
omitting Materia Medica: in that of Moral Philosophy, the same,
omitting Political Economy and Belles Lettres. The degree of
and in the Mixed Mathematics.
None are admitted to these degrees who fail to give satisfactory
evidence of their attainments at the public examinations and the
examinations for graduation.
THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.
To merit this, the highest academical honour of the institution,
the student must have already become a graduate in the following
schools.
ANCIENT LANGUAGES,
MODERN LANGUAGES,
MATHEMATICS,
NATURAL PHILOSOPHY,
CHEMISTRY,
MORAL PHILOSOPHY.
He must moreover give proof of an accurate and comprehensive
acquaintance with his entire course of studies, by an examination
on all these subjects, in the presence of the whole Faculty, at the
close of his academical career. And lastly, he must prepare and
submit to the Faculty an essay or oration, exhibiting a due degree
of literary ability, and this, if so directed, he is required to read or
deliver on the Public Day.
The Professional Degrees are that of Doctor of Medicine, conferred
on graduates in the Medical Department; and Bachelor of
Laws, on graduates in the School of Law.
To merit the degree of Doctor of Medicine, the student must
prove by his examinations, that he has made satisfactory attainments
in Anatomy, Surgery, Physiology, Principles and Practice
of Medicine, Obstetrics, Materia Medica, Chemistry, and Medical
Jurisprudence.
To attain the degree of Bachelor of Laws, he must in the same
manner give evidence of a due acquaintance with the Law of Nature
and Nations, the Science of Government, and Constitutional Law,
Municipal Law, including the Common and Statute Law, the principles
of Equity, and Commercial Law.
Honorary Degrees are expressly forbidden by the laws of the
University.
THE PUBLIC DAY.
On the closing day of the session, which, unless where Sunday
interferes, occurs on the 4th of July, the visiters, faculty officers,
and students, and the Society of Alumni, assemble in the Rotunda,
generally. On this occasion the certificates and diplomas are
awarded to the successful candidates, the results of the examinations
are announced, and addresses are delivered by one or more
of the Masters of Arts, and by the Orator appointed by the Society
of Alumni.
EXPENSES.
The expenses for the session of upwards of nine months, (commencing
the 1st of October, and ending the 4th of July following,)
are as follows:
| Board, including bed and other room furniture, washing and attendance, |
$110 |
| Fuel and candles, to be furnished by the Proctor at cost, and 5 per cent. commission, estimated, if only one student in the dormitory, at $30, if two students in the dormitory, at |
15 |
| Rent of an entire dormitory $16; for half, if occupied by two students, |
8 |
| Use of the library and public rooms, | 15 |
| Fees—if one Professor be attended, $50; if two, each $30; if more than two, each $25—say, |
75 |
| Total, exclusive of books and stationary, clothing and pocket money, |
$223 |
In addition to the regular fee, $20 is paid by students who attend
the Senior Class in the School of Law.
When the student attends only the class of Geology and Mineralogy,
in the School of Natural Philosophy; of Materia Medica,
in the School of Chemistry; of Physiology, in the School of
Anatomy; of Medical Jurisprudence, in the School of Medicine;
or of National Law, Government, and Constitutional Law, in the
School of Law, the fee is fifteen dollars each.
Ministers of the gospel, and young men preparing for the
ministry, may attend any of the schools of the University, without
payment of fees to the Professors.
The expenses of the students resident in the University, are
limited as follows:
1. For board, the use of the dormitory and public rooms, and
tuition fees, the sums before stated.
2. For clothing during the session, an amount not exceeding one
hundred dollars.
3. For pocket money, during the session, a sum not exceeding
forty-five dollars.
4. For books and stationary, whatever the parent or guardian
may think fit to allow.
5. For medicine and medical attendance, whatever may be necessary.
These are in no case to be exceeded, unless under special circumstances
the Faculty shall allow it.
PROHIBITION OF CREDIT.
The Act of the Legislature prohibiting merchants and others,
under severe penalties, from crediting students, is here strictly enforced.
The license to contract debts, which the chairman is
authorized to grant, is confined, (except where the parent or guardian
otherwise in writing requests,) to cases of urgent necessity;
and these it is hoped that parents and guardians will, as far as
possible, prevent from arising by the timely supply of the requisite
funds.
HOTELS OR BOARDING-HOUSES.
Hotels or boarding-houses are provided within the precincts for
the accommodation of students; and no student is permitted to
board or lodge out of the precincts, unless in the family of his
parent or guardian. Except, that students above the age of twenty-one
years may reside out of the precincts, in such private boardinghouses
as the Faculty may approve.
The charges at the private boarding-houses, those licensed by
the Faculty, are required by the regulations not to exceed those of
the hotels within the precincts.
The hotel-keepers are bound to maintain good order among their
boarders during meals, and to report all cases of misconduct of
which they have knowledge, whether occurring in their own houses
or elsewhere.
KEEPING OF STUDENTS' FUNDS.
Every student resident within the precincts, is required, on matriculating,
to deposit with the Patron, all the money, checks, bills,
drafts, and other available funds, which he shall have in his possession,
or under his control, in any manner intended to defray his expenses
while at the University, or on his return from thence to his
residence. Nor shall he matriculate till he shall have deposited a
sum at least sufficient, after deducting the Patron's commission,
(two per cent.,) to pay for the use of his dormitory and the public
attend, to pay three months' board to his hotel-keeper, to purchase
the text-books and stationary which he may want at the commencement,
and twenty dollars on account of fuel and candles, and ten
dollars to cover contingent charges and assessments against him
for injuries to the buildings, &c.. which two last mentioned sums
are credited in the final settlement of his accounts. In like manner,
he shall deposit with the Patron all the funds which he shall receive
while a student of the University, for the purpose aforesaid.
At the end of the first three months of the session, he shall deposit
enough to pay his board and other expenses for the next three
months; and at the expiration of the second period of three months,
he shall deposit enough to pay his board and other expenses for the
residue of the session.
Students resident out of the University, are required on matriculating,
to deposit with the Patron funds sufficient, after deducting
the Patron's commission, to pay the fees of Professors whom they
may propose to attend, the sum charged for the use of the public
rooms, and ten dollars to cover contingent charges.
PRIVILEGED STUDENTS.
The Faculty at their discretion, may allow any man, of undoubted
moral character, above the age of twenty-three years, to attend
lectures in any of the schools of the University, and to reside out
of the precincts, exempt from the rules and regulations prescribed
for the government of students; except only, that he shall pay the
usual Professors' fees, and the usual compensation for the use of
the public rooms, and shall observe all those laws of the Institution
which enjoin respectful and orderly deportment. But the privilege
so allowed may be withdrawn by the Faculty, at any time, when
in their opinion it has been used to the evil example of the students,
or otherwise to the injury of the Institution.
MONTHLY CIRCULARS.
At the end of every month, a circular letter is addressed by the
chairman of the Faculty to the parent or guardian of each student,
in which are stated his average standing for the month in each of
his classes, his absences from lecture and examination, and any
other irregularities of which he may have been guilty; together
with such further information as to the student's progress and conduct,
as it may be deemed proper to communicate.
The object of such report, being on the one hand to incite the
student to steady diligence by eliciting the commendation and encouragement
of his friends, and on the other to restrain him from
and advice; the usefulness of these circulars greatly depends
upon the prompt and judicious attention they receive from
those to whom they are addressed. Parents and guardians therefore
cannot be too earnest in communicating such advice or encouragement
as the monthly reports may suggest.
LIBRARY.
The Library of the University, originally selected and arranged
by Mr. Jefferson, has since been augmented by two very valuable
donations, the one a legacy from Mr. Madison, the other from a
generous and enlightened citizen of Richmond, the late Christian
Bohn, Esq. Through these additions, and the annual increase by
purchase, it now numbers upwards of 17,000 volumes, comprising
an unusually large proportion of standard literary and scientific
works, in the principal European languages, together with a rich
and extensive collection of engravings.
Under certain restrictions, students are allowed the use of the
books, and the Librarian is in attendance at stated hours to comply
with their orders and to receive the books returned.
SOCIETY OF ALUMNI.
This association is composed of such former students of the
University as having graduated in one or more departments, have
subsequently on nomination been elected members, at the annual
meetings. Its objects are the promotion of letters and general
education, as well as the renewal from year to year of the pleasing
associations of academic life.
The society holds its meetings at the close of the session, commencing
business usually on the 3d and terminating on the 4th
of July. An orator or essayist is annually appointed by the society
from among its members, and the oration or essay is generally
delivered in the Rotunda on the Public Day, at the conclusion of
the academical proceedings.
RELIGIOUS EXERCISES.
Divine service is performed in the chapel every Sunday morning
and Wednesday evening during the session, by the Chaplain
of the University, who is appointed in turn from the principal religious
denominations. Students also have the opportunity of attending
service at any of the churches in Charlottesville.
| Catalogue of the officers and students of the University of Virginia | |