Show l E lIGA Mathematics and Physics in College Courses Course The article appearing in the issue of the CHRONICLE of two weeks since has again called up the question of requiring requiring requiring ing College Physics and mathematics in courses leading to bachelors bachelor's degrees and interested students are again hoping that the Faculty will take the matter up and after all allowing owing i it t a full hearing render render render ren ren- der a final decision Perhaps ps no regulation regulation regulation regula regula- tion that has been made respecting graduation graduation graduation gra gra- has been the cause of so much trouble and annoyance to students as the one in question It has come to be bethe bethe bethe the bete bele noir lOir of intending graduates It has been the means of discouraging many who but for it might have been counted among the trie worthiest of our alumni The question of the wisdom of specifying specifying specifying certain studies which above all the remainder of the curriculum shall be required for graduation has from its instigation caused much discussion The class of each year has added its protest to those of its predecessors but so far far nothing has been done toward effecting a change An examination of the catalogues of former years would tend to show that in inthe inthe inthe the past it has been the policy of the Faculty to attempt to restrict students as little as possible in the t of their respective e courses courses to to allow them greater freedom in the choice of studies This fact is made manifest from the fact that from year to year the number ol oi required subjects has been reduced while the number of electors has been increased Up to 1894 the courses of study to be pursued for the various degrees degrees degrees de de- grees were each year outlined the student student student stu stu- dent being allowed but little choice except except except ex ex- that in the Junior and Senior years he was permitted to elect sufficient studies studies studies stu stu- dies to make up the required number of hours Among other studies English El botany and zoology general chemistry chemistry chemistry chem chem- and two years each of two languages languages languages lan lan- were in ip all collegiate courses Advanced physics was required in both the scientific and the Advanced Normal Courses but not in the course in Liberal Arts Mathematics Course I. I college algebra geometry and trigonometry was required in the Scientific Scientific Scientific and Advanced Normal Courses but but- was made elective in the Arts Course The next year 95 1894 the requirements requirements requirements require require- ments in in English were strengthened and arid Mathematics I advanced physics botany zoology general history and two languages were prescribed for all courses In the catalogue of 96 1895 we note a radical change which allowed the student to use his own discretion in selecting ing studies All prescribed work in the Arts and Science courses was abolished and students were permitted free choice in in electing subjects with the exception that all candidates for degrees were required to take M Mathematics tics I and English I and II Arts students students students stu stu- dents being required to take Advanced Advanced Phy Physics ics also This provision has been been bee continued in the present present catalogue with 1 the addition that science students are 1 required to take Physics also 1 rt i iThe The question naturally arises as to why these three particular subjects were selected as be being ng absolutely requisite for graduation Why were these three selected selected selected se se- from the whole curriculum as being so important as to determine a students student's fitness or unfitness for receiving a degree These and other questions of a like nature have no doubt been presented to the mind of every thinking student student student-at at least to every everyone one who has aspired to graduation A c careful reful i in inquiry inquiry in- in among members of the Faculty regarding the matter fails to o bring to light any satisfactory reason for this state of affairs no one thus far encountered encountered encountered en en- countered seeming to know just why such provision was made But various reasons have been suggested in the probable probable probable pro pro- bable justification of the measure the gist of which is substantially as follows 1st Similar courses of study are required required required re re- in other U Universities ies 2nd The three specified subjects form an essential part of every college course course and every college graduate is presumed to be familiar with them 3rd It was feared that students might abuse the liberties allowed them in choosing subjects by electing only II the easier studies and receive unmerited unmerited unmerited un un- merited their degree thus lowering the standard of their alma mater It is contended that these studies studies studies stu stu- dies form a good criterion by which to judge of the students' students fitness or unfitness unfitness unfitness unfit- unfit ness for graduation A. A Senior Next week these various arguments will be taken up one by one and the discussion continued |