Purdue University - Debris Yearbook (West Lafayette, IN)

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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

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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

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mornings, with their dinner for a day ' s work in the field. This work, as explained be- fore, generally consists of the taking of levels, the laying out of railroads, together with curves and turnouts, and in general land surveying. To the student this work affords practice in those lines with which he must deal after graduation, as well as furnishing that healthful bodilv exercise so essential to a clear mind. The instrument equipment for field work in this department has been greatly ex- tended, so that the facilities in this line at Purdue are now superior to those of most technical schools. With this excellent equipment, consisting of ten levels and ten transits of the best makes of instruments in the country, and with the revision of the course as stated above, the prospects of the civil engineering department seem indeed very bright. 51