DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHILOSOPHY.

THIRD AND SECOND CLASSES.

The course in natural and experimental philosophy begins with the third academic year. Mechanics is studied during this year, the class alternating daily by halves. The text used is Gordon’s “Mechanics.” Many of the principles are illustrated by apparatus in the lecture and section rooms, and the students are required to repeat and explain these experiments. The course aims to be as complete as possible with the limitation that it can be properly covered in a term of about 100 days by students having a proficient knowledge of the calculus; the treatment is sufficiently mathematical to furnish a confident basis for advanced work in the technical staff corps after graduation.

During the second class year about 100 lessons are allotted to this department. The first half of this time is devoted to the subjects of sound and light. The authorized text-book is Gordon’s “Sound and Light.”

Astronomy is studied in the remainder of the second class year. The texts used are Young’s “General Astronomy” and Michie and Harlow’s “Practical Astronomy.” The principal aim of this course, in addition to its important value in educational development, is to furnish an ample basis for the establishment of stations in explorations and surveys.

The class alternates daily by halves throughout the year.

TEXT-BOOKS.

Numerous standard works on the general subjects covered by the course are available for reference.