April i8, 191 8] 



NATURE 



129 



logical theory of a science should be oot the terminus 

 a quo of instruction, but the terminus ad quern. 



In the proper adjustment of the pupil's work, 

 to use these three appeals for the purpose of 

 education is the urgent problem of the teaching 

 of science to which this committee has addressed 

 itself. To this end curricula for schools of dif- 

 ferent types, the supply of science teachers in 

 State-aided schools, the academic qualifications of 

 headmasters, and the methods of inspection and 

 examination are all discussed in a very readable 

 iid useful report. 



THE FUTURE OF SCIENCE IN WALES. 



THE recently issued Report of the Royal Com- 

 mission on University Education in Wales 

 will, there seems no doubt, mark the beginning 

 of a new era in higher education in the Princi- 

 pality. Into the past history of the University 

 and colleges and the causes which led to the 

 setting up of a Royal Commission we cannot enter 

 here. We are concerned with the future and, 

 more especially, with the provision to be made 

 for the development of scientific and technological 

 training. 



From the very first it was recognised that 

 "science, especially in its applications to arts and 

 manufactures, should occupy a prominent place 

 in the curriculum of the colleges," and provision 

 was made by all three colleges in Wales for the 

 teaching of pure science. The further develop- 

 ment of teaching and research in pure science is 

 left to the reorganised University and colleges, 

 which, it is hoped, will be provided with ampler 

 funds for this purpose. We learn, however, that, 

 " as the requirements in pure science became satis- 

 fied, the special needs of the neighbouring locali- 

 ties began to claim the attention of the colleges ' ' ; 

 and the demand has arisen for the further develop- 

 ment of teaching and training in applied science. 

 It is earnestly to be hoped that, as a result of the 

 recommendations made by the Commission, the 

 University and colleges of Wales will be able to 

 develop their work in tfiese branches to a level 

 unsurpassed by any other British university. 



As regards the prominence of the demand for 

 increased provision for technological and voca- 

 tional studies, wise words of warning are spoken 

 by the Commissioners which all interested in true 

 University education and in the highest develop- 

 ment of our industries would do well to ponder 

 and lay to heart : — 



Although it is right that the universities should be 

 looked to as schools of preparation for professional 

 life, it would be fatal if they allowed preoccupation 

 with this task to weaken their hold upon the principle 

 that they are intellectual trustees for posterity, keep- 

 ing safe and, where possible, adding to the stock of 

 universal knowledge which the past has entrusted to 

 their care. . . . Some people have been inclined to 

 complain that the universides turn out graduates who 

 with all their attainments are not always immediately 

 serviceable in commerce and industry : a right view 

 of what a university training seeks to do for its 



NO. 2529, VOL. lOl] 



students would suggest to such people that even their 

 own utilitarian aims would not be really served by 

 importing a more definitely technical element into the 

 university student's course. As year by year com- 

 merce and industry become more complex and far- 

 reaching in their ramifications, the value of a sound 

 grasp of principles grows more indispensable to those 

 concerned in their higher operations, and any loss on 

 this side would be but ill made up by a slightly earlier 

 familiarity with the specialised technique of a par- 

 ticular trade or calling, which after all is easily and 

 rapidly acquired by a mind properly grounded in 

 principles. 



We commend these words to the careful atten- 

 tion of the people of Wales. 



In Mid and North Wales, which are largely 

 agricultural in character, we find that in the col- 

 leges of Aberystwyth and Bangor agriculture has 

 for long been included among the subjects of the 

 college curricula. But with regard to the fuller 

 development of their agricultural departments 

 which both colleges desire to promote, important 

 pronouncements are made by the Commissioners. 

 The present three years' degree course, it is main- 

 tained, which is primarily based on science, is 

 inadequate for teachers and experts, because the 

 student does not obtain that thorough grounding 

 in pure science which would qualify him to under- 

 take fruitful research work after he has obtained 

 his degree. Such a student would do better to 

 obtain his degree in one of the pure science de- 

 partments and then pass over to the agricultural 

 department for some general training in agricul- 

 ture, coupled with investigation in his special 

 subject. He requires, in fact, at least a five years' 

 course, and his agricultural training should in the 

 main be post-graduate. Since for this purpose 

 elaborate provision of staff and equipment is 

 needed, such advanced training should be con- 

 centrated at a single college. For the working 

 farmer a new type of degree course is required, 

 based more upon economics and history than upon 

 pure science, and this course should be provided 

 at all constituent colleges undertaking agricultural 

 teaching and advisory work. A department of 

 animal patholc^y should be established as part of 

 the College of Medicine at Cardiff. 



With regard to forestry, future developments 

 will depend on the policy of the Government in 

 respect to afforestation. It is, however, laid down 

 that forestry should in the main be treated as a 

 post-graduate subject, and, for reasons of 

 economy, should be associated with the post- 

 graduate department of agriculture at whichever 

 college this department may be located. 



In South Wales, as is natural, the demand is 

 mainly for further development in technological 

 training in engineering, mining, and metallurgy ; 

 and a scheme has been drawn up for the con- 

 stitution of a faculty and board of technology. 

 According to this scheme, which is accepted in 

 its broad outlines by the Commission, the Muni- 

 cipal Technical College of Swansea would become 

 recognised as a fourth constituent college of the 

 University ; and, subject to the fulfilment of cer- 

 tain conditions designed to secure a satisfactory 



