REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS. J. C. HAINER, PROFESSOR. The growth of the department has been steady and uniform during the past two years. The course of study in Physics was revised during the year 1888; and the past year the course of instruction was substantially as laid down on pp. 38-40 of the College catalogue for 1889. The subject is taught by lectures, text-books, and recitations thereon. The work offered in the course in science and agriculture is fairly equivalent to that found in Deschanel's Natural Philosophy, or Daniell's Principles of Physics. Experimental demonstrations are given for the fundamental facts of the science, illustrating the various laws; and the application of these laws in the various industries and arts are indicated. The object of lectureroom experiment is to illustrate scientific doctrine. What the student wants is not a large number of experimental facts, however well classified, but a few well selected fundamental facts, and the scientific doctrine which those facts represent. The method of instruction in this department is in harmony with the above statement. By this plan it is hoped that the thoughtful student will discriminate clearly between principle and illustration, and lay them away in memory accordingly. The first term sophomore year is given to mechanics. Particular attention is given to the laws of motion, and to the doctrine of energy, and the application of this doctrine in this branch of the subject. Text-book, Deschanel's, Part I. Heat is studied the second term sophomore year. Heat is energy; and it is from this standpoint that the whole subject is studied. More attention is given to the quantitative relations of the various phenomena studied than to gathering statistics on the subject. Text-book, Maxwell's Theory of Heat. The first term junior year the subject of electricity and magnetism is studied. The doctrine of Potential is made the co-ordinating principle in this ever-widening field of physics. Particular attention is given to the relation of electricity to magnetism, as manifested in the fact of induction currents; the relation of electrical energy to heat; and hence its relation to mechanical power. In short, that the propositions of mechanics apply to electrical and magnetic phenomena. The c. g. s. system of units is explained, and their relations to the practical units developed. Text-book, Thompson's Elementary Lessons. THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN LIBRARIES In fall term, junior year, general course, optics and acoustics are studied. The undulatory theory is made the basis of instruction; and hence the fundamental properties of the wave-surface are examined. Text-books, optics, Lommel; acoustics, Tyndall. The juniors of this term in the engineering courses continue the study of electricity and magnetism. The dynamo is made the basis of instruction. Text-book, Thompson's Dynamo-Electric Machinery. The laboratory instruction in physics comes in the fall terms of both junior and senior years, in the M. E. course, and in fall term of junior year in the other courses. The exercises are progressive and entirely quantitative; illustrating general laws in all branches of physics. The work consists of the theory and use of instruments of precision; their calibration, the determination of physical constants; the measurement of mechanical, thermal, optical, acoustical, electrical, and magnetical properties of bodies; in such order and to such extent as the equipment of the laboratory will permit. APPARATUS.—The value of physical apparatus owned by the department is about $8,000, among which are: a standard of length, a standard clock, a physical balance, a chronograph, a cathetometer, a calorimeter, resistance coils, wheatstones bridge, current and potential galvanometers, high and low resistance reflecting galvanometers, a condenser, a standard B. A. Ohm, a Kew magnetometer, an electrometer-these are all, with the exception of the clock, imported apparatus from the best European makers. A Thompson-Houston dynamo (old pattern), several motors, and the electric light circuit on the grounds afford opportunities of studying this branch of electrical science. Through the courtesy of the Steward the electric light plant is made available to students to make such tests and measurements as actually obtain in practice. In comparing the above facilities with what is offered in the mechanical engineering course, it is readily understood that the elements of electrical engineering, both theory and practice, are open to the student. The laboratory used by the department at present, consists of the physical lecture and apparatus rooms, and the two draughting rooms in the third story, elsewhere described. It is hoped that this strange anomaly will be rectified within another year. ASTRONOMY is a five hour elective in the senior year. Text-book, Young's General Astronomy. As aids to the study of this subject, the department has a fine celestial globe thirty-two inches in diameter, a sextant, reading to ten seconds of arc; a telescope of two and one half inch objective, equatorially mounted, right ascension and declination circles attached; and a two prism Browning spectroscope. SPHERICAL TRIGONOMETRY is a one hour study in fall term sophomore year. This time is thought sufficient to familiarize the student with the fundamental theorems of this branch of mathematics; and, to give sufficient practice so as readily to apply the same in problems relating to theoretical mechanics, geodesy, and its simpler applications to spherical astronomy. ADVANCED PHYSICS may be taken in senior year; students looking for ward to this work should be classified ia analytical mechanics, and Calculus. of junior year. This work consists of two parts: (1) Laboratory work at (1) That students who take laboratory work in physics be required to pay for the materials consumed in their work. Judging from the experience of the past two years, this will be about $2.50 per student. It should be remembered that this item is a dead loss to the department. The number of students in laboratory work this year was twenty-five; and I estimate the number for the coming year at thirty-two. (2) I again, in view of the approaching session of the General Assembly, renew my recommendation of 1887 with the reasons therefor: "As is seen in the outline of the course of physics, laboratory work in this study is now given, not only to special students in physics, as heretofore, but also in the regular course. This is an advance in the proper direction. Laboratory practice in physics is just as essential to the student in natural philosophy as is the same kind of practice in chemistry or botany or zoology. Physics is an experimental science and must be studied from that standpoint, if studied at all. To make this work of greater educational value and practical utility, the board appropriated $1,600 to this department for the purchase of instruments of precision. These were ordered from abroad early in 1887. This addition to the apparatus already in possession of the department places the instrumental equipment of the department in reasonably good condition for the work offered in physics. Not that all the apparatus necessary to a well equipped physical laboratory is collected, but an advance has been made in that direction. Yearly additions can be made of special apparatus as their need becomes urgent. "Just now the great, the urgent need of the department is a physical laboratory. As now located the department has no laboratory. The lecture room, the two apparatus rooms, and the office room have, in the past, been used as the student's laboratory. These rooms are not adapted to this work. It is evident, therefore, that if this part of the work is to be increased in efficiency, suitable and commodious quarters must be provided. To meet the present wants of the College in this regard, the following plan is suggested: Let the west wing of the chemical laboratory be raised one story higher. This will bring the new story on the same level as the present location of the physical rooms. Fit up this new story with the proper and necesIsary piers, tables and supports for a physical laboratory. The estimated cost for above outlined improvements is $3,000. "The faculty have prepared a course of study requiring laboratory practice in physics, which course was adopted by the board of trustees. The board has appropriated money from the College funds, to buy the needed apparatus to carry out in a generous spirit the course of instruction as outlined above. But the board cannot supply the needed building. To do this is the duty of the State. Is there any good reason why the facts shall not be presented to the legislature with the request that an appropriation of $3,000 be made for the above purpose?" The reasons for this additional room for the Department of Physics becomes more and more urgent with each year. The laboratory work in physics was made a permanent feature of the instruction in this science in THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN LIBRARIES 1887. The number of students taking this work has steadily increased each year. A suitable working laboratory has become a necessity. There is now, and from all indications there will be for an indefinite period an urgent demand for men educated in the theory and practice of electricity and its applications, popularly called "electrical engineers." To become proficient in this field of modern enterprise, it is necessary that the student should have personal access to and contact with the subject matter underlying the forces and phenomena of modern electrical appliances. The whole theory and practice of educational engineering centers about the dynamo, the heart of the matter. The needed instruction on the labaratory side cannot be given without an additional expense. The dynamo and accessories for successful experi mental work will cost $400. The other apparatus needed the department already has; in fact, the purchases made a few years ago were made with a view to building up a course in practical electric work. It is, however, useless to attempt this work unless a proper laboratory is equipped, wherein the student can successfully prosecute his studies. The leading institutions of this country, Boston Institute of Technology, Steven's Institute of Technology, Cornell University New York, Rose Polytechnic Institute, the Universities of Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan, and many others, have already established courses of study and equipped laboratories to fit young men for this field of work, or have taken the initiatory steps in this direction. The industrial aspect of this institution is the never-failing theme and pride of its friends throughout the State. Here is an opportunity, at a very small expense, to enlarge the industrial feature of the school. The leading institutions of the country have set the example; then why not heed the signs of the times and fall into line? REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DOMESTIC MRS. ELISA OWENS, PROFESSOR. There is a growing interest in the work connected with this department on the part of the young women attending the College. There being no special course in this department, the time devoted to it is too limited for the very best results, practically. During the last year a change has been made in the course, whereby two terms of consecutive work have been secured, i. e.: Second term Freshman and first term Sophomore, with optional work in second term Senior. The work of this course may be outlined as follows: The time during the second term of the Freshman year is devoted mainly to the study of the Boston School Kitchen text-book, combined with laboratory practice. This text-book gives instruction in regard to the elements contained in onr daily food and their proper combinations. Also the right adaptation of food to age, temperament, occupation and climate, as based upon scientific principles of hygiene and dietetics. In the first term of the Sophomore year special attention is given to the cooking and serving of meals, the purchase and care of family supplies, and to general household management, including household accounts. Also invalid cookery, the care of the sick and special hygiene, consisting of a course of lectures on the laws of life and health, especially woman's health and well being, During the last term of the Senior year there will be a general review of the work here outlined in preparation for the systematic and intelligent performance of the serious duties and responsibilities, which it is woman's highest privilege to assume in her capacity of housekeeper. The whole interest and purpose of the present instructor is to secure to the students a knowledge of practical and systematic methods of rendering home a pleasant and healthful abode. All the young women who have come into the classes during the past two years have received instruction along the line above given, adapted to the varying seasons and the previous instruction that the sophomores and juniors of the classes of '90 and '91 had THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN LIBRARIES |