the twenty-four weeks in the summer term. It is to be remembered that civil engineering meant at that time all branches of engineering other than military. FIRST CIVIL ENGINEERING PROSPECTUS. NOTICES OF RENSSELAER INSTITUTE, Troy, N. Y., October 14, 1835. [Being the answer to letters of inquiry.] HON. STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER, PATRON, with the right to appoint the Annual Board of Examiners. ACTING FACULTY. Rev. E. NOTT, D. D., President-also President of Union College. Judge DAVID BUEL, Jr., Vice President. AMOS EATON, Senior Professor, and Professor of Civil Engineering; also holding the Agency and Supervision of the Institute. EBENEZER EMMONS, Junior Professor. JAMES HALL, Professor of Chemistry and Physiology. Instruction, wholly practical, illustrated by Experiments and Specimens, is given 40 weeks in each year. Five days in each week the forenoon exercises are from 8 A. M. to 1 P. M. WINTER SESSION commences the third Wednesday in November, and continues 16 weeks. During the first 12 weeks, each forenoon is devoted to practical Mathematics, Arithmetical and Geometrical. This is a most important course for men of business, young and old. During the last 4 weeks of the Winter Term, extemporaneous Speaking on the subjects of Logic, Rhetoric, Geology, Geography and History, is the forenoon exercise. Throughout the whole session the afternoon exercises are Composition, and, in fair weather, exercises in various Mathematical Arts. A course of Lectures on National and Municipal Law, is given by the Senior Professor. SUMMER SESSION commences on the last Wednesday in April, and continues 24 weeks: ending with Commencement. Students of the Natural Science Department are instructed as follows: Four weeks, Zoology, including organic remains; and Physiology, including the elements of Organic Chemistry. Three and a half weeks, Geology and Mineralogy, with specimens. Three weeks, traveling between Connecticut River and Schoharie Kill, for making collections to be preserved by each student, and exhibited at examinations; also for improving in the knowledge of Natural History and Mathematical Arts. Ten weeks, Chemistry and Natural Philosophy. Half a week, preparing for examination and Commencement. The afternoons of all fair days are devoted to Surveying, Engineering, and various Mathematical Arts-also to Mineralizing, Botanizing, and to collecting and preserving subjects in Zoology. Students of the Engineer Corps are instructed as follows: Eight weeks, in learning the use of Instruments; as Compass, Chain, Scale, Protractor, Dividers, Level, Quadrant, Sextant, Barometer, Hydrometer, Hygrometer, Pluviometer. Thermometer, Telescope, Microscope, &c., with their applications to Surveying, Protracting, Leveling, calculating Excavations and Embankments, taking Heights and Distances, Specific Gravity and Weight of Liquids, Degrees of Moisture, Storms, Temperature, Latitude and Longitude by lunar observations and eclipses. Eight weeks, Mechanical Powers, Circles, Conic Sections, construction of Bridges, Arches, Piers, Rail-Roads, Canals, running Circles for Rail-Ways, correcting the errors of long Levels, caused by refraction and the Earth's convexity, calculating the height of the Atmosphere by twilight, and its whole weight on any given portion of the Earth, its pressure on Hills and in Valleys as affecting the height for fixing the lower valve of a Pump; in calculating the Moon's distance by its horizontal parallax, and the distances of Planets by proportionals of cubes of times to squares of distances. Four weeks, in calculating the quantity of Water per second, &c., supplied by streams as feeders for Canals, or for turning Machinery; in calculating the velocity and quantity effused per second, &c., from flumes and various vessels, under various heads; the result of various accelerating and retarding forces of water flowing in open race-ways and pipes of waterworks, and in numerous miscellaneous calculations respecting Hydrostatics and Hydrodynamics. Four weeks, study the effect of Steam and inspect its various applications— Wind, as applied to Machinery; also Electro-Magnetism-inspect the principal Mills, Factories, and other Machinery or works which come within the province of Mathematical Arts; also, study as much Geology as may be required for judging of Rocks and Earth concerned in construction. Fees for instruction, including all Lectures, Experiments, &c.; also for use of Instruments, Apparatus, Library and Specimens, $4 for each sub-term of four weeks. No student received for less than a sub-term. No extra charge excepting $8 for the course of Experimental Chemistry, where each student gives a course of experiments with his own hands. Students furnish their own fuel, light, and text-books. Each boards where he pleases; but the Professors will aid strangers in the selection of boarding houses. A small number of strangers are boarded at the School at $2 per week; they furnish their own bedding, washing, &c. The Rensselaer degree of Bachelor of Natural Science is conferred on all qualified persons of 17 years or upwards. The Rensselaer degree of Civil Engineer is conferred on candidates of 17 years and upwards, who are well qualified in that department. This power was given to the President, by an amendment to the Charter, passed last session of the Legislature. Candidates are admitted to the institute who have a good knowledge of Arithmetic, and can understand good authors readily, and can compose with considerable facility. After a trial of two seasons, it is found to be inexpedient to enter young lads in the regular divisions, before they have sufficient pride of character to govern their conduct when preparing for their exercises in the absence of a teacher; arrangements will therefore be made for having a teacher always present with them, when they are not in the immediate charge of a Professor or Assistant. Students in any one department have the right to attend one Experimental Lecture each day in the other departments, free of expense. One year is sufficient for obtaining the Rensselaer degree of Bachelor of Natural Science, or of Civil Engineer, for a candidate who is well prepared to enter. Graduates of Colleges may succeed by close application during the 24 weeks in the Summer term. Candidates may commence the course at the beginning of any sub-term; but the third Wednesday of November is to be preferred unless the candidate is a graduate of a regular College, or otherwise well instructed in general Mathematics and Literature. In such cases the last Wednesday in April is the most suitable time of entering. His theoretical views may then be reduced to practice during the Summer course. The degree of Master of Arts is conferred after two years of practical application. Gentlemen wishing to learn the outline of the terms of the Rensselaer Institute, are requested to pay postage on their letters; and they will receive this printed notice. If this appears to be a “narrow notice," I will state that I paid $54.28 in one year in postage for letters on others' business: some for our school course, more for advice about mines, minerals, and visionary projects. Rensselaer Institute, Troy, Oct. 14, 1835. AMOS EATON, Agent. Upon the death of Amos Eaton, in 1842, George H. Cook, of the class of 1839, afterwards widely known for his work as State geologist of New Jersey, became senior professor. Under his direction the school was reorganized and the courses of instruction somewhat extended. He resigned in 1847 and was succeeded by B. Franklin Greene, of the class of 1842, who became director of the institution when that office was created by act of legislature in 1850. REORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL. His acceptance of the position marks an epoch in the history of the school. After a careful study of the scientific and technical institutions of Europe, the curriculum was, under his direction, thoroughly reorganized in 1849. This reorganization included a material enlargement of the course of study and the requirement of a more rigid standard of scholarship from candidates for degrees. The number of instructors was also increased and the length of time devoted to the course was changed to three years, with a "preparatory class," which made it practically four years in duration. The graduating or senior class was called Division A, and the others Divisions B and C. In 1858 the preparatory class was merged into the regular course under the name of Division D. Professor Greene published in 1856 a pamphlet of 84 pages entitled The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Its Reorganization in 184950-Its Condition at the Present Time-Its Plans and Hopes for the Future. This, as its title indicates, was descriptive of the reorganization. Two paragraphs are quoted from it to show more clearly the character of the changes and the intentions of the authorities: The managers of the institute therefore resolved that their field should be narrowed and more thoroughly cultivated; that, indeed, their educational objects should be restricted to matters immediately cognate to architecture and engineering; that, moreover, for a somewhat irregular and for the most part optional course, requiring but a single year for its accomplishment, they would substitute a carefully considered curriculum, which should require at the least full three years of systematic and thorough training, and that, finally, they would demand the application of the strictest examination tests to the successive parts of the course prescribed, not only in respect to the translation of students from lower to higher classes, but especially in all cases of ultimate graduation with professional degrees. It was in accordance with such views as these that, in 1849-50, this institution was wholly reorganized upon the basis of a general polytechnic institute, when it received the distinctive addition to its title, under which it has since been more or less generally known. It will be seen from the last paragraph that the name Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was first used in 1849-50. This change was ratified by an act of the legislature passed April 8, 1861. Thus were inaugurated the course and methods which have resulted in giving to the engineering profession of this and other countries. during the last forty years many of its most distinguished members. The main causes of the reputation of the school and of the success of its graduates have been the method of instruction then adopted and the high standard of scholarship maintained. Although the curriculum has of course since been changed from time to time to adapt it to the needs of the best modern practice, the methods have remained practically unchanged. The classes are divided into small sections and each student is required to recite each day in every subject. Text-books, supplemented by lectures and explanations, are used whenever the nature of the case permits. The students are not only interrogated, but in almost all subjects are required to make blackboard demonstrations. After the material constituting each term's work has been finished, a review in all subjects follows and afterwards an examination. Close records of the work done each day are kept, and the success of the student in passing in any subject depends largely upon these daily records. PRESIDENTS AND DIRECTORS. Director B. Franklin Greene resigned in 1859, and his position was occupied until 1860 by Nathan S. S. Beman, D. D., who was at that time president of the board of trustees. The names of the presidents and directors and the years during which they served, from the foundation of the school to the present time, are here given: PRESIDENTS. Rev. Samuel Blatchford, D. D., first president.. SENIOR PROFESSORS AND DIRECTORS. Amos Eaton, A. M., senior professor B. Franklin Greene, C. E., A. M., director Nathan S. S. Beman, D. D., director .... Charles Drowne, C. E., A. M., director.. William L. Adams, C. E., director.. David M. Greene, C. E., director. Palmer C. Ricketts, C. E., director.. 1824-28 1828-29 1829-45 1845-65 1865-68 1868-68 1868-86 1888 1824-42 1842-46 1847-59 1859-60 1860-76 1876-78 1878-91 1892 REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION. The requirements for admission to the institute have been in the past, and are at present, somewhat elementary in their character. In this, as in some other respects, it resembles the United States Military and Naval academies. The cause has been the necessity of thorough preparation in elementary branches of mathematics, which experience has taught can not generally be expected from students who have received their mathematical training in the secondary schools of this country. For this reason, besides the usual English branches, arithmetic, plane geometry, and algebra through quadratic equations only are required for admission. Local examinations for entrance are provided in a few schools of high grade in various parts of the country. NUMBER AND LENGTH OF TERMS. Each year is divided into two terms of about nineteen weeks each, and examinations are held at the end of each term. Besides this, students of Divisions C and B, which correspond to the sophomore and junior years of academic schools, go into the field during the month of July for instruction in practical surveying of various kinds. This is in addition to the surveying required during other parts of the course. COURSES OF INSTRUCTION. The principal course of instruction given is that in civil engineering, and the degree conferred is civil engineer (C. E.). It is to be distinctly understood, however, that the instruction is not narrowed to any special branch of civil engineering. The design of steam engines, as well as that of bridges, sewerage systems, waterworks, etc., is taught, and the student receives instruction as well in the principles of electrical engineering as in the location and construction of roads and railroads. There is also given a course in natural science, upon the satisfactory completion of which the degree of Bachelor of Science (B. S.) is conferred. Special practical courses in chemistry and assaying and in surveying and railroad engineering are given during the summer vacation. That in chemistry and assaying is six weeks in duration, and includes either qualitative or quantitative analysis as may be desired. The course in surveying and railroad engineering is given in the field. between June 1 and July 1, and is therefore four weeks in duration. Some healthful part of the Adirondack region in the northern part of this State is chosen for the work. A special winter course of lectures on highway engineering and road construction is also given. These lectures are not technical in their character, being intended for those who, without an advanced special training, are engaged or interested in the construction and maintenance of country roads. |