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. J

    Universities in Canada, I can't decide

    I have been trying to decide between these two universities for the longest time, and I have to make a decision quick. I know I like physics and I love learning about it, it's just something I've always wanted to do. But after talking to many people, everyone is telling me to give engineering a...
  2. jtbell

    News Huge online university scam

    A Pakistani software and media company has apparently been raising money by selling diplomas through a network of web sites of fictitious American online universities, including: Barkley University Columbiana University Mount Lincoln University Hillford University Grant Town University...
  3. Q

    Schools Need help with university course of choice

    Well... The thing is that I want to improve space travel in the future, so should I be taking Aerospace Engineering or Astrophysics in university? P.S. I am currently in a Polytechnic (aka Community College in USA) studying Aerospace engineering.
  4. C

    Schools Transferring to University from CC: Preparation advice

    Hello all: I just finished my last semester at a community college, and I'll be starting at a university in the fall. I'm a little concerned with my preparation, especially in mathematics. My major choices were nuclear engineering and physics on my application, so I could be majoring in either...
  5. J

    Transferring from Community College to University for EE

    Hi guys! I just want to know if it is possible to transfer from a 2 year CC to a four year University. I want to do EE.
  6. E

    Schools Which is Better for Theoretical Physics, Utrecht or Glasgow University?

    Hi everyone i am new to the forum. I am looking forward to a MSc in theoretical physics and have been offered place at Utrecht and Glasgow university. Unfortunately neither of the universities have a very detailed course outline at their sites (or its just my fault). I am interested in high...
  7. X

    Schools Dilemma regarding decision between two top universities

    Hello everyone :) For a while now I have been a lurker on this website. I absolutely love the amount answers one can find to their questions. However, at the moment I am facing a great difficulty in deciding which university I should go to. I have been accepted by several top universities...
  8. M

    Mike's Path to University: Struggling with National Exams at 18

    Hello everyone, my name is Mike, and i am 18 years old. In a month from now, i am going to be giving the national exams my country does to qualify for a university. Unfortunately, there is no idea to know in which university i'll pass, if i pass at all. These exams are known to be difficult...
  9. D

    To be or not to be a mathematician or a physicist?

    Hello! I'm in my final high school year (Bachillerato, as we call it in Spain) and I have to choose between getting a degree in physics or mathematics. Frankly, my uni's approach to physics is far more experimental than theoretical. I do not like that (lol). I love mathematics, and just reading...
  10. R

    Imperial or U of T for Aerospace Engineering Studies?

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  11. L

    Schools University of Chicago, Brown University or Cornell?

    My son is interested in studying Applied Math and Physics as an undergraduate and has narrowed down his choices to the University of Chicago, Brown or Cornell. They all seem like wonderful places for an undergraduate education. He tends to like the location of Chicago or Providence a bit more...
  12. M

    Schools University of Nebraska-Lincoln REU - advice?

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  13. C

    2D kinematics question (2nd year of undergrad level.)

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  14. ShellDough

    Schools I figuring out what to do at University

    I am heading off to University in September, and I need help figuring something out. I want to enroll in a Physics course, except the only High School courses I have taken have been Pre-Calculus, Biology, and Chemistry. I have also started Calculus in my spare time. Is there any online courses...
  15. M

    Energy project for Universities implementation

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  16. mrnike992

    Schools Thoughts On University of Missouri Science and Technology?

    Here in Missouri, MST has a very good academic reputation, but it seems this is not true everywhere. This is all wildly imaginative at this point (HS Senior), but if I were to major in physics at MST, (assuming I made good grades), is it unreasonable to hope to get into grad school at some of...
  17. Domenico94

    Diodes Exercises: Engineering Student Seeks Help

    HI everyone. I'm an engineering strudent, looking for online material with exercises on diodes...anyone can send me a link here with explanations of the various exercises? Thank you very much :)
  18. M

    What is my future after studying Theoretical Physics?

    Hi everybody! I'm an Italian high-schooler (but I'm living in California for an exchange year) and I love Physics. I decided kinda 6 years ago that I was going to study Physics at the University, and only now I started deciding the field of physics (but I'm still not sure if Cosmology...
  19. R

    Civil vs Mechanical vs Computing

    There are probably numerous threads like this, I have read them all but I'm still undecided. I am a high school senior and applying to UK universities - I have applied to more than one subject (three, actually: civil, mechanical engineering and computing, all from Imperial College) and received...
  20. M

    16 years old and an aspiring physicist

    Hi, my name is Matt, I'm 16 years old and an aspiring physicist. I've recently found myself in a position of great uncertainty. I'll provide some background. I was a reasonably successful High School student although academics were secondary to leisure in my life. At the beginning of my junior...
  21. P

    Schools Local university doesn't offer physics major

    I've ran into a problem where my local University, that I would be able to attend for no cost due to my close proximity (staying at home) and scholarships, does not offer physics as a major, only a minor. If I were to attend a different University, my scholarships wouldn't cover my costs due to...
  22. TNesher

    Engineering Is structural engineering worth it?

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  23. Gimblestitch

    Schools A Review of Athabasca University

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  24. L

    Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or Economics

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  25. M

    Yet another statics problem involving several forces

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  26. M

    Statics problem involving several forces

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  27. U

    Intro Physics University physics with modern physics

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  28. K

    Schools Going to college before uni for engineering?

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  29. T

    Schools DeVry University worth the money?

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  30. VoloD

    How much does chosen university really matter

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  31. C

    Are there any microcontroller (mcu) course in university?

    I'm looking for some textbook for learning microcontroller(MCU), especially AVR, Atmega series. Does the electrical and computer engineering department in some university teach this devices? If so, what is the basic textbook for university students to learn MCU?
  32. Beenigma

    Schools University recommendations for a physics graduate

    Good day, forum. Last year I finished my bachelor in physics, and due to a mess-up on my behalf, I could not begin on my masters degree at once. This has given me a one-year pause which I spend working, and most importantly, thinking about what I wish to do from now on. I've come to realize that...
  33. N

    What career options are available with a degree in Astrophysics?

    Hello all. I am a high school student, and I plan on going to University (not sure which yet) to study Astrophysics, and I hope to eventually land a research job at a prestigious University. Of course, this is a very ambitious goal, and that's where my question comes in: Will I be able to do...
  34. Jadenee

    Should I retake freshmen math classes?

    I know that there are multiple threads regarding retaking classes but everyone's situation is different and I wasn't sure if those posts were going to apply to my situation. I suffered medical problems, both mental and physical, before even entering university and had them all through freshmen...
  35. Diego Fernandez

    What's better for studying Physics: AP or IB?

    Currently, I'm in the IB program and I've never taken any AP courses back at my old school. Since I'm planning on studying Astrophysics in College, I was wondering which one prepares me the best for things concerning subjects in math and physics? After doing some research, I found that IB...
  36. Diego Fernandez

    My Dream is to study Physics, but I have questions

    Ever since I was about 11 years old, my dream has been to pursue a career in any scientific field whatsoever (I practically enjoy learning about all of them!). I ended up being enchanted by the magic of physics at an early age as well, thanks to my childhood heroes such as Carl Sagan, Stephen...
  37. icecubebeast

    Schools Elite Universities (Stanford, MIT, Harvard, etc.) downloads?

    Hello, I am interested in the free downloads that are publicly available on the main websites of elite universities. By "free downloads" I mean textbooks that are publicly available on the websites of the universities (in pdf or docx). That also includes public research documents from those...
  38. M

    Schools Thesis in search of university, regarding Carnot and Kelvin

    Greetings, A Thesis regarding the historical accuracy of portrayal Sadi Carnot and Lord Kelvin's work seeks a University. It is based largely on the images below (note highlighted areas), taken from their original work. As you know, Sadi Carnot and Lord Kelvin are the fathers of the science of...
  39. S

    Why does name of the university matter so much in job search

    I am a bit frustrated with my current job search and I was wondering if people at PF could give some guidance. I am a doctoral graduate in Electrical Engineering from a low ranked university (~ 180 US News overall ranking). Although a EE doctorate most of my work was in materials...
  40. D

    Programs Major in Mathematics and Physics

    Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum, so I'm not too sure whether I posted under the correct topic or not. I am currently a junior at a quite competitive high school. All around me, there are people thousands of times smarter than I am. I know very well myself that I am no genius, but I've always...
  41. I

    Schools Help Marks for university acceptance

    Hi guys, I am currently in the "ib program" and my grade 11 mid terms marks are chem:74% biology:77% English:83% French:75% I do not think I can bring my chem mark up to an 80% by finals This is worrying me so much.. I haven't really tried this first semester and my marks have dropped...
  42. A

    Struggling with motivation to study physics

    Hello all, new poster here. I don't want to sound like I'm ranting but I feel like I have no one else to tell. Studying physics has been my life dream since about a year and a half ago. After a long and hard journey (college would not let me take further maths), I finally made it into a...
  43. V

    Schools [Q] University Physics & Researching Asteroids

    Hello all, It's been a long time since I posted in this forum. I'm glad to be back to ask for advice from very talented individuals. Pardon me if my thread is not under the correct category. The following set of questions are related to my career, academic life, and satisfaction of...
  44. G

    Fourier Series (Half-range expansion)

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I don't really understand why my solution is wrong as I think I have substituted everything in correctly.. Is it okay if anyone can help me take a look at my solution? Thank you. :) My solution: (Only bn) My...
  45. sheldonrocks97

    Is it Weird I Find Physics II easier than Physics I?

    Is it weird that I find physics II easier than physics I? I am currently in Physics II at university and flying through it with an A. However, I took Physics I at Community College and BARELY got a B. On my tests so far this semester I got a 87 on the first one and a 97 on the second one. In...
  46. sheldonrocks97

    Is this Spring Schedule Too Difficult?

    Hello everyone, I am currently picking my classes for spring semester. This is currently my second semester at university and I am a dual major of EE and Math. Here is my schedule: ES 332-02 3 Electrical Engineering (Essentially Circuits I) ENGL 311-01 3 Creative Writing MATH 352-01...
  47. J

    Lover of Math but dont know which career path to take

    I'm currently a sixth form student in Jamaica starting to think about career paths to take. I'm in love with math and I'm sure ill never drop out of love with it. But I'm a little uncertain about which career path to take. I was thinking of either doing acturial science but wonder if the job...
  48. Hercuflea

    Schools Brown University Math vs. Applied Math

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  49. DewYouKnow8

    Programs CS vs. Mechanical Eng - 2nd degree

    Hi everyone, I am new to the forum, so please let me know if I have made any mistakes in my posting location. As mentioned in the title, I am returning to school for a second undergrad degree. My first degree was in Business Administration - which did not satisfy my academic needs (to say the...
  50. N

    Finding the Critical Angle for Shelf Gliding: A Statics Problem

    Homework Statement Excuse my english, it is not my first language. A bookcase has the weight 1500N and is standing at a horizontal floor. The friction force between the floor and the shelf is 600N. The shelf's height is 1,8mand it is 2m wide. The shelf stands on four feet each 0,01m from the...
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