What is University: Definition and 1000 Discussions

A university (Latin: universitas, 'a whole') is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
The word university is derived from the Latin universitas magistrorum et scholarium, which roughly means "community of teachers and scholars".The first universities were created in Europe by Catholic Church monks. The University of Bologna (Università di Bologna), founded in 1088, is the first university in the sense of:

being a high degree-awarding institute;
having independence from the ecclesiastic schools, although conducted by both clergy and non-clergy;
using the word universitas (which was coined at its foundation);
issuing secular and non-secular degrees: grammar, rhetoric, logic, theology, canon law, notarial law.

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  1. D

    Schools MSEE: Syracuse University or SUNY Binghamton University - both in NY

    How is the Masters level in Electrical Engineering at (1) Syracuse University (2) SUNY Binghamton University? I plan on working in industry right after, no intention on PhD. I eventually want to obtain a MBA and move into management. Is (1) or (2) good? If not, any reasons? I know (1) and...
  2. D

    Finding the Right Calculator for University - Dan's Story

    Hey starting uni soon and i need to buy a calculator. The uni has given us a list of approved calculators, but i really don't know which one to go for. They have stated that they cannot be programmable or graphic calculators. Here is the list they have given us...
  3. D

    News Mass shooting in N Illinois University

    I'm sure that was a gun-free zone... how on Earth could this happen? When will we learn?
  4. S

    Finding the Right Book for Numerical Methods at University

    does anyone know a good book that will help with 'Numerical Methods' at university level? thank you
  5. L

    Schools Has anyone been to ASU's EE grad school recruitment day?

    I applied there in December (for a Phd in EE) and they sent me an email inviting me to visit during their engineering grad school recruitment day. They are paying for all air fare, meals, and hotel costs. I am really looking forward to going. I'll get the chance to meet the engineering dean...
  6. K

    Schools What is the Best University near Sydney for an Accelerated High School Student?

    I read quite a lot about a few universities around Australia, i am currently at High School at Coffs Harbour and to get the best education i will be forced to move (which is cool because "good something to bad rubbish"). I will go to university 2 years before i graduate yr 12 (HSC), I can do...
  7. H

    Schools Polytechnic University - Brooklyn

    I got an offer to apply here (undergrad) for free and I'm wondering if this is a good place for physics or if it would be any better than a state school (UW, WSU, other Washington schools) because it costs a LOT more. I really like that it's basically in NYC, I think that would be a pretty cool...
  8. P

    Studying Purpose of university lectures when we have textbooks

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  9. R

    Schools Advantages/Disadvantages of Studying at Private University

    what is the the advantages and disadvantages of studying at a private university??
  10. G

    Schools Does Attending Public University Affect Job Applications?

    I just got accepted in a public university (SIUC), does it make a difference when you apply for a job or masters? Do people from the top universities get an advantage or somethin??
  11. G

    Schools Is it really necessary to graduate from a top-ranked university?

    Is it really necessary to graduate from a school in the top 50 ranks or somethin??
  12. B

    Schools So how did you study at University?

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  13. G

    Can a Beam Condenser Focus a Laser to 0.048mm for Wave Measurement?

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  14. H

    Schools Private university = more financial aid?

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  15. Q

    Schools University application and GRE Subject test

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  16. H

    Schools Are university lectures worth attending?

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  17. P

    Schools Getting into university with low english mark

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  18. A

    Schools My First Physic exam at university

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  19. A

    Schools Renewable Energy University Research

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  20. Shackleford

    Schools Is the University of Houston's Physics undergraduate program any good?

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  21. M

    Schools Is it common for your interests in university pursuits to change?

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  22. A

    Schools Good University for Chemical Engineering

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  23. F

    News Iranian University Chancellors Ask Bollinger 10 Questions

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  24. M

    Schools Princeton Univ. - Italian Student Questions & SAT Examples

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  25. F

    Schools Santa Clara University Certificate Program: Admission Requirements

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  26. L

    Which Engineering Degree is Right for Me?

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  27. 6

    Schools BS and MS from one University?

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  28. D

    Schools Advice on university preparation.

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  29. P

    Can you get a double degree in university?

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  30. R

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  31. N

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  32. Simfish

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  33. A

    Schools Choosing university, physics major

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  34. B

    Schools Ferris State University in Michigan

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  35. E

    Schools Tips to get addmission in good university?

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  36. O

    Schools McGill University Exchange: Physics & Maths Dept Info

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  37. J

    Schools Choosing Between Maths & Physics for University Courses

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  38. honestrosewater

    Would you hire a graduate of Honestrosewater University?

    I haven't looked into the technical requirements of this yet, but I wonder what it might be worth even if I could do it. Basically, I am thinking of starting my own college so that I can award myself a degree from it. Some explanation... I dropped out of high school almost 9 years ago, on my...
  39. P

    Schools Which is better? Famous university with little scholarship or little university?

    Hello, I am wondering which I should choose for universities. I applied to the top university in Canada for mathematics - waterloo for acturial science. They offer very little scholarship. Maximum of $2000 over 4 years but the program I applied to is co-op. I am also getting an offer for...
  40. P

    Schools Questions about admission to Cornell University

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  41. I

    Dealing With Unrequited Love in University

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  42. C

    Which University for Top PhD? SFU vs. UBC

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  43. D

    Schools Reputation of the Northwestern University physics department

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  44. S

    Schools Gr.12 Student Facing University Dilemma - Physics & Math Career

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  45. J

    Advice Needed: Taking Physics at My University

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  46. S

    Schools Is DeVry University Worth It? A Comprehensive Review and Analysis

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  47. U

    Schools Help Choosing University In Ontario

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  48. N

    Schools UMass Amherst vs. Boston University

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  49. G01

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  50. M

    Ee student in university of michigan

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