62 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE COURSE OF STUDY. 



The revision of the course of stud^', nientioued in the last report, has 

 been completed and is published in the catalog. 



I feel that this course, in common with the other four year courses 

 offered to students of the college, is open to the criticism that if all 

 tlie work specified is intended to be thoroughly done, the course is too 

 severe for the average student, and I believe it would be better to require 

 less in quantity and more in quality. Twenty credits i)er term of 

 thorough work is more nearly the proper gauge of attainment for the 

 students than the twenty-five now exacted. I look for a general revision 

 of all courses within two or three years. 



I also believe that solid geometry should be an entrance requirement 

 for engineering students and that the preparatory year should be abol- 

 ished. 



SALARIES AND AMOUNT OF WORK OF TEACHING STAFF. 



To this subject I devoted considerable space in my last report to which 

 I invite attention at this time. (Pages 55 to 58, Michigan Board of 

 Agriculture, 1908.) 



I wish to emphasize here the arguments and facts advanced a year 

 ago and shall take opportunity in and out of season to press the sub- 

 ject of higher salaries and opportunities for study and research for the 

 teachers in engineering until they shall be commensurate with the effi- 

 ciency desired in our work. 



BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT. 



The P^ngineering Hall has been very fully utilized during the year. 

 Since the last report, the cement and hydraulic laboratories have been 

 equipped for classes. 



Certain requirements of the Avork are inadequately provided for — 

 notably, the facilities for storing and handling the surveying instru- 

 ments. At present no solution of this difficulty is in sight. To meet 

 this and other cases of crowded accommodations which will soon arise, 

 the matter of establishing the work in physics in another building should 

 receive early and careful consideration. 



The apparatus equii)ment is growing at a satisfactory rate. 



In conclusion 1 would thank the members of the engineering staff and 

 the President, faculty, and authorities for the help and appreciation 

 extended during the year. 



Respectfully submitted. 



East Lansing, June 30, 1909. 



G. W. BISSELL, 

 Dean of Engineering. 



