University of Virginia Library

SCHOOL OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.

Prof. 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 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.

Members of the Junior Class are admitted at convenient times to the
Physical Laboratory, where they may repeat and extend the experiments
of the lecture room. Such exercise is entirely optional. Experience
shows that this privilege is highly valued and extensively used.

Text-books:—The Professor's Syllabus; Everett's Units and Physical Constants;
Daniell's Physics.

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

Text-books:—Cummings' Electricity; Everett's Wave Motion; Glazebrook's Physical
Optics; Glazebrook's Practical Physics; 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."