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. TheKracken5

    Schools Lack of physics courses at private university for a physics major

    Hi, so I am a double major in Math and just recently added physics. But going through the major requirements and my university's offerings, it seems we don't offer many courses. This is also the case for our math program (and part of the reason I added the additional degree). I am curious if...
  2. L

    Helping students transition from High School to University

    I am in the rather unique and exciting position of being able to design an extension curriculum for some gifted Physics students who are in their final year of high school. The goal of the curriculum is to help prepare them for university physics with tools and ways of thinking, without just...
  3. E

    Intro Physics Level of Math Required for Young’s University Physics

    I am a high school student who is planning to start Young and Freedman’s University Physics out of personal interest. However, I am not sure what level of math is required for the book. I haven’t learned Calculus yet, so I’m planning to study Strang’s Calculus alongside Young’s University...
  4. K

    Schools Preparation for university level physics

    I am about to start a degree in maths and physics in September. I would like to get a first class degree which means starting to prepare for the dregree now. Does anyone have and notes or advice for first year physics , thanks !
  5. Nathan Elward

    Best Mathematics Text Book (for 1st year university)

    I'm going to Uni in October and want to get a head with maths for physics NOW so its not so daunting when I am there. What textbooks/resources are an excelent introduction to physical mathematics? Thanks Nathan
  6. D

    Schools Advice on choosing a university in The Netherlands

    I have been accepted for a MSc of Physics and Astronomy at some universities in The Netherlands and Belgium and i have to decide which one to chose. I applied for similar programs in all of them, namely a programme focused on (experimental) particle physics. The Universities are: Univ. of...
  7. AryaKimiaghalam

    Schools Mathematics and Physics (undergrad) at University of Toronto

    Hi guys! I'm starting my first year at u of t studying math and physics specialist. I was wondering if there is anybody who completed this program or is still doing it now. I wanted to know what is its level of difficulty and how is the educational environment. Please tell me your experiences I...
  8. B

    Submarine Buoyancy Differential Equation

    Homework Statement A submarine of mass 80 000 kg is floating at rest (neutrally buoyant) at a depth of 200 m in sea water. It starts pumping out sea water from its ballast tanks at a rate of 600 litres per minute, thus affecting both its mass and the buoyancy force. Determine the vertical...
  9. A

    Other Is repeating a year a bad idea?

    I am a physics freshman in Europe where we have 3 year undergrad programmes. I am just over the first year of Multiple Sclerosis and just when the school started in october last year, things went very very bad. I was super ready for UNI and I started off very well with awesome routines, but I...
  10. P

    Schools Is it selfish to look for research outside of your university?

    After thinking a lot about my posts earlier about doing research elsewhere over the summer and discussing things with my professors, I wanted to thank the people here (specifically @Vanadium 50, for being straightforward) for what they said earlier as it made me reflect on my thoughts and...
  11. X

    Schools Exploring Physics: A High School Junior's Career Path

    Hello, I am a high school junior looking at going into a career in physics. Over the past few years, I have found that I enjoy physics, specifically in "understanding" the atom, and the mind boggling ideas of what happens at that level. I think I want to study particle physics or quantum...
  12. Ty Ellison

    Linear Algebra: Parametric Solution Set

    Homework Statement [/B] Suppose the solution set of some system Ax = b , Where A is a 4x3 matrix, is *Bold characters are vectors* x_1= 1 + 3t x_2 = 2 - t x_3 = 3 + 2t where t is a parameter and can be any number. a) How many pivots are in the row echelon form of A? b) Let u, v, w be the...
  13. A

    Programs Physics? Engineering? Buisness? Philosphy?

    Hello! My dream is to be a Inventor and entrepreneur. My biggest strengths are my ambition and desire to learn. I rarely hang out w/ friends, go to parties etc. Instead, in my spare time I like to read & watch informative content, do online programs, seek people I can learn from, attend...
  14. D

    Schools General education requirements in University- How much is too much?

    I was looking at my student status today and saw that I'm now a Sophomore, although I haven't started my major yet (have completed almost all the gen ed requirements). What struck me as odd was that in purely doing gen ed requirements, it raised me a full class rank, and took a full school year...
  15. Greg Bernhardt

    What was/is your job while at university?

    I worked in my program's computer lab doing tech support and general maintenance. Worked 6 months revamping the programs internal website/email system and then my boss left and the new guy canned my project. :cry::cry:
  16. M

    Studying Self teaching Gcse and A-Level maths

    Hi, I have recently embarked on the journey to do a mathematics degree. I am 16 and homeschooled, although, I self teach myself as I find it easier to read from textbooks and teach myself the material from resources online and the likes. I have taken a math Gcse a few months ago and was going...
  17. P

    Schools How does a summer at the University of Arizona sound?

    So I have the opportunity to work at the University of Arizona this upcoming summer in High Energy Physics. This is an amazing opportunity since I get to spend a summer doing research at a university different than my own (although it will be unpaid). But I am wondering, how good will it be when...
  18. astroman707

    Schools Is the University of Tampa good for physics?

    Anyone have any insight into the quality of the undergrad physics program at UT?
  19. Grands

    Schools How reliable are university rankings?

    Hi guys. I opened this thread to ask how much important the University when a people study is, in terms of employability. I know that there are very good universities like Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and MIT, but what about the others? There are jobs available only for people that get a degree...
  20. E

    A Before the Big Bang - New videos - Cambridge university

    There is a series of documentaries from professor Hawking and his colleagues. Hope you enjoy it.
  21. Grands

    Schools What should I consider when choosing a university?

    Hi guys, I'm new in the forum, and I'm from Italy. I hope you will understand my english. I'm opening this thread because actually I have difficulties in choosing my university. Actually I'm at the last year of the high school, based on Science, it's called "Liceo Scientifico", you can Google...
  22. L

    Programs Nanotech degree equivalent to Physics

    Hello everybody just out of couriosity An undergraduate degree in EE or Computer engineering followed by a MS in Nanotechnology engineering (lectures in quantum and stat mech, chemistry, nanostructured materials with many lab activities...) can be considered in some way equivalent to a MS in...
  23. T

    Schools Exam October 7th University Physics

    I really want to get an A on this first exam. I am a pre-med, and i enjoy studying physics. But I'm always learning at a slower rate which kind of annoys me internally. I had a major slip up from a 3.94 to a 3.56. And I can redeem myself with physics. I'm not sure how I can start. I have almost...
  24. B

    Magnetic Flux Questions from Japanese University Exam Papers

    Hello everyone, This is my first post here Firstly, I'd like to start by saying that it's my best intention to follow the rules on this forum. Therefore, if I've posted this in the wrong section please forgive me, I will try and learn the ropes quickly. One of my students has given me some...
  25. T

    Schools Prestigious University vs Time

    Hi there, I have done poorly on my GCSEs (10 with B or below) due to bad decisions. I now have an A in my Construction A-Level and I am doing an Extended Diploma in Engineering with predicted grades A* A* A* . Now, here comes my problem, I am 21 and I want to study Aerospace Engineering at...
  26. J

    Intro Physics Difference between University Physics 13th and 14th edition?

    Hi, I'd like to ask if anyone knows the differences between the 13th and 14th editions of University Physics by Young and Freedman? I have a copy of the 13th edition but a friend is taking a class using the 14th edition and he is considering borrowing mine or getting a new copy. Thanks in advance!
  27. H

    Schools Medical Physics at University Of Rhode Island

    Does anyone has some information about Graduate Medical Physics at University of Rhode Island?
  28. E

    What Career Paths Are Available for Graduates in Physics?

    Hi everyone! I've just signed up as I thought it would be very useful to hear from other people who are currently studying or have graduated and are thinking about career options. I recently graduated in physics from a Russell Group university in London and I am looking forward to what is next...
  29. M

    Find the centre of mass for this sheet of paper with a cutout

    Homework Statement A uniform, rectangular sheet with sides of lengths a and b has a hole of dimensions a/4 by b/4 punched in it as shown below. Find the centre of mass of the sheet after the hole is made. Homework Equations CM= ∫xdm/∫dm The Attempt at a Solution I'm confused on what to...
  30. P

    Schools Community College vs. University for Mechanical Engineering

    Hia! I was wondering about the benefits of different schools. I will be starting school at a four-year university to pursue a bachelor's in mechanical engineering, and am concerned about going into debt. I could instead go to community college and then transfer, but I'm worried that I will not...
  31. Andy_K

    I Special Relativity Course at World Science University by Brian Greene

    Dear All, Just wanted to share this excellent free Special Relativity online course I came across by Brian Greene, which I believe is one of the best around. Not sure if it's been shared before here. Special Relativity — World Science U, by Brian Greene...
  32. gerardofingurbe

    Schools Is there any other college like Balseiro institute?

    hello i am currently graduating in Electronic's engineering and doing my 5th semester in physics , however venezuela's situation is critical , and universities are suffering a lot , so quality is going down , also the fact that venezuela is so bad is kind of forcing me to emigrate , so i'd like...
  33. percussive

    Schools Could you recommend a 3rd world university for Spanish?

    Could you recommend a Latin American university for Spanish language degree? In US colleges, Humanities tuition is the same as in STEM...
  34. J

    Courses How stressful will 18 credit hours in Physics be at Uni?

    The classes include: Electricity and Magnetism 2, Intro Modern Physics, Intro Theoretical Physics, Optics Lab, Intro to Solid State Physics. I will have a good amount of experience in E&M as well as Theoretical Physics. This will be for my second semester of 3rd year going for a B.S. in physics...
  35. lawlieto

    Studying Should a theoretical physicist learn maths like a mathematician?

    I'm currently doing my undergraduate physics course at university, and I'm quite confident I'd like to be a theorist in the future. We have separate maths lectures from maths students, and most people have an attitude towards maths which could be summed up as "only learn what you need to know...
  36. Radhey

    Schools Being a scientist -- I need to choose my university major now....

    Hello everyone! I am from Nepal. i am recent high school graduate and going to college in US (medium ranked)this fall. I am here little bit confused about choosing my major. I love science! I love organic chemistry, physical chemistry, biology, genetics, and I get more fascinated learning about...
  37. Jupitermallows

    Schools University is such a spaghetti cluster of choice

    For someone who kinda likes all stems in general,this process of applying to the right course is very,ver messy.There's no place in internet (that I found) with a clear explanation of what each course gets you in terms of career and from which courses those careers get people To be concise...
  38. C

    Need advice -- Physics vs. Engineering vs. Computer Science....

    Ok guys here's the deal, I was accepted to UC Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, waitlisted at UCLA for Physics as a transfer A little background: I know a moderate deal of programming, have taken Assembly Language, OOP, Data and Discrete Structures. What I want to accomplish: Create a successful...
  39. D

    Schools How good is the cosmology program at OSU? (Ohio State University)

    I might be accepted to the OSU physics PhD program and I have mainly an interest in cosmology / early universe stuff. How is OSU's program in cosmology? I hear their astronomy program is very good, but how is their cosmology especially?
  40. dkotschessaa

    Renting out a house in a university area?

    My wife and I might move a bit closer to where I am working. We love our house, sort of. It needs lots of work, but we don't have much time to work on it, and we have an ineffective HOA. We might actually have MORE money to work on it if we instead rent an apartment (closer to work) and rent...
  41. ccaatt

    Courses Do I need Physics and Calculus in HS for uni?

    I am very clueless when it comes to prepping for university and things like that, and as a grade 11 going into grade 12 soon, I unfortunately have to figure it out one day or another. So, I have a few quick questions, would I need Physics 30 or Calculus/Math 31 in order to become a family...
  42. A

    Choose Physics or Engineering: Advice for Uni Students in Auckland

    Hi everyone, I am a new member in this forum. I am a high school student and will be going to uni next year. I live in Auckland and Auckland university offers both Engineering and Physics courses. I need some advice on which course should I choose and will give me a better position in the job...
  43. S

    Schools Dealing with Competitive Dynamics in University: A Scientist's Perspective

    hello all i've just started university about a month ago (studying for a single major in mathematics) and in desperate need for some advice from the wiser and older. since I've started at the second semester (you can do that in my uni), we are a relatively small group of people, only about 20-30...
  44. Alex_C

    Engineering UOttawa vs UCarleton Civil Engineering

    Hello all, I have been accepted to Ottawa and Carleton both for civil engineering co-op, I was wondering if i could get some opinions on which might be the better choice! I have heard Carleton has a better social community, better administration and a focus on engineering. I have also read that...
  45. Physicsphysics

    Courses MMath vs. MPhys Theoretical Physcs

    At this point I have no idea how to look at this situation, so I'm really hoping I can get a little help here. I have an offer for Mathematical and Theoretical Physics which leads to an MMath, and eliminates all lab. I also have an offer for straight Physics, leading to MPhys with no extra...
  46. R

    Schools Exploring the Open University Degree in Physics/Maths-Physics

    Hi Strange question but here goes I am thinking of doing the Open University degree in Physics or Maths/Physics and wondered if anyone had done it and had any thoughts By way of background I actually did physics undergrad degree over 25 years ago (gosh!) here in the UK. But like a lot of...
  47. Ameer Bux

    Schools I'm nervous about university

    Hi. I'm completing high school this year and lacking confidence when applying to courses at university. I'm an average student. My teachers tell me I'm good enough to do whatever course I want but I doubt my abilities. My fear is not being able to cope with the workload or work complexity at...
  48. ibtissem

    Career change -- University Language Teacher to Physics....

    Hello, I am new here , I am 28 years old with a Linguistics Master degree and a three years experience as a language teacher at University. Since my childhood I was fond of engineering and Physics, but unfortunately and due to some personal circumstances I was not able to pursue a degree in...
  49. J

    Need Ideas on Where to go For a Physics Internship

    Hey, I have been given the opportunity to go on a free six-week internship at almost any college or university around the country, and I need help finding out which colleges and universities have great physics opportunities along with people who are willing to take a 17 year old. Any ideas will...
  50. R

    Schools Admission into an American University

    I want to study physics at great depth. Our University does not hold such a good rank in world ranking. I am planning to go to America. I am from India. Advice me about what should I do?
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