64 THE ALUMNI JOURNAL 



article appeared in the "Pharmaceutische Presse," at Vienna, Austria, 



on April 5. 1913, and Prof. Geo. C. Diekman was kind enough to 



translate it : 



AMERICA. 



Reform in Studies. 



One would suppose that, particularly in /\merica, the country of the 

 so-called "ELBOW-FREEDOM,'' the successful advancement of the 

 individual would depend altogether upon individual effort, and that 

 the degree and quality of his development, taking into consideration 

 the preliminary training and education, would be only that of the 

 individual. It would also be expected that in America a lesser value 

 would be placed upon practical and theoretical professional knowledge 

 as evidenced by degrees or diplomas, granted or conferred by schools 

 and colleges, than it is customary to do in our countries. 



That such, however, is not the case is evidenced by a new plan of 

 studies introduced by the New York College of Pharmacy, as a result 

 of which Pharmacy will be placed on an equal level with the other 

 professional work of the University. 



The newly systemized University course of studies will seek to 

 accomplish the elevation of Pharmacy and will demand a much higher 

 grade of preliminary knowledge than was formerly the case (and which 

 will closely approximate our Maturitaet). 



It also provides for a much longer course of studies ( from 3 to 6 

 years), so that the future Pharmacist of America will rank equally 

 high with those of our country, and in some respects a comparison of 

 the two will be to our disadvantage. 



The three-year course leads to the title of Ph.C. (Pharmaceutical 

 Chemist), the four-year course to the degree of B. S. in Phar. (this 

 means Baccalaureus of Chemistry), (should read Pharmacy) and the 

 six-year course to the degree of Phar. I). (Doctor of Pharmacy). 



By virtue of these reforms, here only briefly mentioned, America 

 takes a decisive step in placing the Pharmacist on an equal level with 

 other professional men. The desire to do this is entirely in the best 

 interest of Pharmacy and should be the goal sought to be reached in 

 all countries. 



