Summer School of Practical Mining and Metallurgy.

During the summer vacation a school for practical work is held for about two months in some mining district. All the students of the Mining Department, including those who have satisfactorily passed the examination of the Sophomore year, and expect to enter the mining course the following term, are required to take part in the work of the summer school. In this way each student receives the benefit of two seasons of practical work in connection with the course. While in the field the students are under the constant supervision of an assistant, and are required to make complete surface and underground surveys, take sketches and notes of all machinery and appliances used, and as far as possible, take part in all the practical operations connected with the mining and treatment of ores, etc. During the following term full reports are prepared and handed in, embracing a statement of the work done, and a discussion of all the operations examined. These reports are illustrated with accompanying working drawings and collections of specimens.

Before receiving the degree of Engineer of Mines, they are required to execute plans or projects for the establishment and working of mines or smelting page 51 works under given conditions, with drawings, estimates, and written memoirs.

An endeavor is thus made to combine thorough practical with theoretical instruction in this course, and to fit the student for the successful practice of his profession hereafter, and for a field of usefulness in the country at large.