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PH. D.
The course in this school is intended to give the student as large a stock of useful
information as possible, to teach him methods of investigation, and to train
him in habits of observation. Original research will be insisted on, and opportunity
special study.
Topics for study will be taken from both of the subjects taught in this school.
The abundant material in the Lewis Brooks Museum, mentioned below, gives
unusual facilities for the pursuit of graduate work.
Descriptive Mineralogy.—The course in Mineralogy is so selected as to give the
student a good knowledge of as wide a range of the principles as possible, and at
the same time to cause him to acquire a practical knowledge of the various mineral
species. In the practical study, the more common minerals, and those of more
importance from an economic and geologic point of view, will have preference.
A practical knowledge of the crystal forms and of the characteristic groupings
and massive forms of minerals, will be required. Special attention will be paid
to the relations of minerals, their association in nature and their geological
occurrence. The student will be trained to determine minerals, as far as possible,
by their obvious characteristics, without the help of tests, and practical examinations
will be held, from time to time, to test his skill. One or more theses will
be required.
Dana's Text-Book of Geology, and Weisbach's Mineral Tables will be used, and
topics from various authors will be assigned for study in special cases.
Geology.—In Geology the aim will be to fit the student for independent and
original research. He will study as thoroughly as possible the broader problems
of the science, involving the knowledge of stratigraphical principles. Special
attention will be given to imparting a practical knowledge of the various rocks,
and of the animal and plant fossils of the different eras, with the view of using
them in determining unknown formations. Stress will be laid upon field work,
and the methods of determining and describing the geology of new regions. To
impart such knowledge, the student will be required to work up some particular
region or formation, and report his results. Topics involving a knowledge of the
literature and growth of opinion in relation to particular questions, may be assigned
to form the subjects of theses.
Dana's Manual of Geology, and Geikie's Text-Book of Geology, will be used as
text-books, and selected books of other authors will be used when necessary.
The Lewis Brooks Museum contains collections illustrating the main subdivisions
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. Zoölogy 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
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
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.
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