Purdue University - Debris Yearbook (West Lafayette, IN)

Page 27 text:

Electric Light Association has recently established its testing laboratory at Purdue, thus gaining for this institution in the last two or three years another advantage over any technical school in the country. (The first consisted in the establishment of the National Railway Association ' s testing laboratory at this University.) Already a great many different types of alternating current enclosed arc lamps have been sent in and the report of some ot the tests will be read before the next assembly of the association, which meets in May, 1900. It is a noticeable fact that ninety per cent, of the graduates of the School of Electrical Engineering hold positions of responsibility, obtained for them through the thoroughness of their course, received at Purdue. Purdue is not only receiving national reputation, but its influence in advanced methods of electrical and other engineering sciences has received the notice of the English and European press, and it has been recognized as a typical institution for the advancement of technology. Whatever the future may have in store for the School of Electrical Engineering can only be estimated by a knowledge of the vast possibilities of electricity, which each vear presents many new and intricate problems, but, judging from its past history, we can say with great assurance that it will not be in the background. 49

Page 26 text:

O branch of science has had such a remarkable development in the last few years as that of electricity, and with no less rapidity has the Department of Electrical Engineering at Purdue grown in equipment and facility. From the school of applied mechanics and with the splendid general education received in the first two years of the course the student is able to take up the higher principles of Electrical Engineering, which apply directly, and fit him for any position in the field ot work with which he will be confronted when his course has been completed. There is no better proof of the thoroughness and competency of the work accom- plished in this department than is seen by noticing the long list of positions of importance and responsibility held bv the graduates from it. The laboratory provides an ample opportunity tor the study of the deepest experiments and developes the student along the most practical lines of work, while the study of the higher mathematics, physics, chem- istry, and the theory of direct and alternating current machinery, along with the design, construction and installation of electrical stations and apparatus, teaches him the reasons of the information which he has received. So great has this department grown in material equipment that extensions have been added and filled almost every year since it was established, and in recognition ot this remarkable growth, and in view of the splendid success of this department, the National 48

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® WMO ggg gragj 1 ■ T IS the purpose ot the civil engineering department to prepare a student after , a lour vears ' course to enter at once into civil engineering work. A thorough foundation in mathematics together with a course in rhetoric and literature the first two vears, prepares him to take up intelligendv the studies in architectural, hvdraulic, sanitary, railroad and topographical engineering which follow during the remamder of his course. The course in civil engineering has been revised and extended with the view of broadening the field of instruction and to do fuller justice to some of the more essential branches. In order to gain time for certain special subjects, such as surveying and railroad engineering, there has been some reduction in the time given to subjects taught by other departments. The course in shop work for civil engineers is confined to the freshman vear, and includes those parts of the regular course in the shop which are of special value to the civil engineer. The work in surveying continues throughout the sophomore year. Railroad engineering is started in the third term of the sophomore vear and continues to the end of the course. In the senior vear an option is oflered between sanitar - engineering subjects and advanced railroad engineering. To the student a short oudng in which he can leave the study table and confinement of the room is always acceptable. During the pleasant days of the first and third terms the classes in surveving start on Saturday 50