BULLETIN OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 

 Vol. 31, pp. 357-362 September 30, 1920 



TEACHING OF GEOLOGY AS BELATED TO EESEARCH ^ 



BY HERBERT E. GREGORY 



{Bead hefore the Society Decemher 31, 1919) 



CONTENTS 



Page 



lutroduction 357 



Discussion of the fundamental facts 357 



Discussion of the functions of geology 358 



The future of geology in the educational field 359 



Introduction 



During the past three years it has fallen to my lot as a member of the 

 Committee on Geology and Geography and of the Committee on Educa- 

 tional Eelations of the National Eesearch Council to make a study of the 

 strength of the present geological brotherhood and of the ability of educa- 

 tional institutions to supply the needed recruits. 



Discussion of the fundamental Facts 



This examination of the status of geology in America reveals two 

 fundamental facts: 



1. A surprisingly small number of colleges and universities offer 

 courses in geology. 



2. A relatively low value is placed on geology, both as an educational 

 factor and as a practical contribution, by college presidents, deans and 

 faculty ; by men of affairs ; by Army officers ; and by civil engineers. 



Statistics and comments supporting these conclusions were given at the 

 Baltimore meeting^ and need not be repeated. They do not compose an 

 alluring picture. The position of geology in college and university cur- 

 ricula is relatively less favorable in 1920 than in 1900 or even in 1890, 



* Manuscript received by the Secretary of the Society October 6, 1020. 

 This paper Is one of a series composing a symposium on the teaching of geology and 

 paleontoloi,'y. It Is a careful condensation of the paper as presented at the meeting. 

 ' Bull. Geol. Soc. Am., vol. 30, 1020, pp. 81-82. 



(357) 



