University of Virginia Library

SCHOOL OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.

Prof. Smith.

This School includes two courses, as follows:

I. General Physics.

Junior Class.—The Junior Class meets three times in each week.
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 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 visible
masses.

With this preparation the student proceeds to the subject of Molecular
Physics, embracing Sound, Light, Heat, and Electricity. Throughout
the course the laws of motion and force 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.

Text-books:—The Professor's Syllabus; Everett's Units and Physical Constants. For
reference:—Treatises by Clerk Maxwell; Jamin; Daguin.

Senior Class.—This class meets thrice each week, and studies Mathematical
Physics and Theoretical Astronomy. The parts of Physics
studied are usually Sound and Light one session, and Heat and Electricity
the next. The members of this class spend from one to two months
in the Physical Laboratory.

Text-books:—Cummings' Electricity; Everett's Wave Motion; Glazebrook's Physical
Optics; Norton's Astronomy; Notes and Problems given by the Professor.

Candidates for graduation in Natural Philosophy are required to
attend only the foregoing classes.

II. Practical Physics.

This course is for students preparing to become teachers of science,
and for those who, for other reasons, desire to push their studies in
Physics beyond the limits of the under-graduate course. The instruction
is partly theoretical and partly experimental, embracing the following
topics:

1st. Theoretical—Reduction of observations. Graphical representation
of results. Interpolation. Method of Least Squares. Essays on
prescribed Physical topics.

2nd. Experimental.—In this, the main portion of the course, the
student will learn physical manipulation, and the use of instruments by
actual practice.

(1), Lecture-room Apparatus and Lecture-room Experiments.

(2), Physical measurements and "instruments of precision." Cathetometer.
Spherometer. Dividing Engine. Goniometer. Balance. Syren.
Monochord. Revolving Mirror. Photometer. Microscope. Spectroscope.
Diffraction-bench. Polariscope. Electrometer. Galvanometer.
Magnetometer. Meteorological instruments, with daily use of the same.

Text-books:—Chauvenet—"Method of Least Squares;" Kohlrausch—"Physical
Measurements."