University Definition and 1000 Threads

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. C

    Schools Is it normal for university exams to not include some of the material?

    Is it normal for university exams to never include some of the material that is in the curriculum? I have some modules that are quite extensive, but about 4 to 5 groups of exercises appear to repeat in the last few years. However, they also ask for students to study about 10 to 15 types of...
  2. U

    Schools UIowa Student Deciding to Transfer for Physics PhD

    Hi, I'll start off with some background information. I am a student at UIowa, going to be a junior, and I was pursuing a pre-med degree. After taking Phys 1, I discovered a newly found passion for the subject. I decided to pursue a PhD in physics. I had a considerable amount of time to verify...
  3. Palacekeep

    New Chinese University Student Seeks to Learn About Physics

    Hello!I'm from China and a new university student.but I'm sorry that i can’t write in english well and i worry about some summary wrong i may have.i love physics and i want to know more knowledge about it. by accident,i found this foreign forum.i am curious about foreign thinking of physics.i...
  4. B

    Schools Choosing a University: Tips & Advice for Matthew

    Hi all, I have been looking at different universities for me to go to for a while now, and I have found 3 good ones so far, in order of the one I want to go to most, to least. 1. Caltech 2. Princeton 3. University of Chicago Can anybody give me any good/bad things about this school...
  5. T

    Schools Best Australian University for Undergrad Physics?

    I'm having a hard time choosing between ANU and UoM for undergrad physics. Which one do you think is more internationally recognised and offers a better education?
  6. A

    Schools Most popular greek university in physics

    hi everyone i would like to answer me these questions if you know: do the department of physics of greek universities have a good reputation abroad? which has the best reputation?from which university come the most graduate greek students? i care only about physics departments. thanks in...
  7. A

    Schools Should I take University Physics early and study ahead or as last two

    Couldn't fit everything in the subject line, my apologies. I am at a Junior College still undecided as to whether I want to major in physics, computer science, or mathematics (considering double major in physics/comp sci and a minor in math but that's not really releveant). Because of...
  8. D

    Schools Is there any University that provides Under Grad degree in Maths

    Hi All, Is there any Good University that provides Under Grad degree in Maths or Physics through distance education ? Thanks, -D
  9. P

    Schools Should I Stay or Should I Go? The Pros and Cons of Living at Home for University

    Hello, I'm going to be starting university this September and I'm having troubles deciding whether or not I should stay at home, or move into university halls. The distance from my house to the university is 40 minutes, 5 minute walk to train station and 35 minute train. I originally...
  10. S

    Schools Most suited US university for PhD in Theoretical High Energy Physics?

    My plan is to apply for PhD in the US, and my research interest is in theoretical high energy physics. I'm not interested in computation and want to do formal theory, something to do with Srting/GTR/Cosmology. I have gotten my MSc (2-yr) from IIT Kanpur with CPI 7.6/10.0. I'm going to be taking...
  11. M

    MHB Scholarship Opportunities for PhD in Mathematics at Cambridge University

    Hello I have been entertaining the idea of applying for a phd in mathematics in Cambridge (when the time comes). Now, how hard is it to get a schollarship to Cambridge? Forgive me the imprecision of the question, but maybe that way it will generate more interesting answers. Thank you in advance.
  12. S

    University math vs school board math?

    In another thread (https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=699767) matqkks mentions curriculum changes in calculus and linear algebra: My impression of math education (in the USA) is that a few large school districts control what's "mainstream" teaching in secondary mathematics and...
  13. Ackbach

    MHB Checking Work from 2-71 in University Physics (Warning: there is a lot of it)

    This is from Problem 2-71 in Young and Freedman's University Physics, 9th Ed. A determined student walks off the top of the CN Tower in Toronto, which is $553\,\text{m}$ high, and falls freely. His initial velocity is zero. The Rocketeer arrives at the scene five seconds later and dives off the...
  14. H

    Discussion question from university physics

    Homework Statement When you drop an object from a certain height, it takes time T to reach the ground with no air resistance. If you dropped it from 3 times that height, how long (in terms of T) would it take to reach to the ground? Homework Equations displacement=V0t+.5g(t)2 The...
  15. G

    Schools Should I Choose Physics or Engineering for University?

    Now that I have given the "entrance" exams that are required to enter a uni, I face a dilemma. Basically, I can get into any faculty that I want, but, the problem is, that I was always thinking of entering the physics department. However, talking to professors from my school and to other...
  16. B

    Schools Studying Math Units at University Level - Best Progression?

    Hi Everyone, I hope this is the best place to put this topic if not I do apologize! I'm currently pursuing an IT degree in software development and plan on studying a few related mathematical units that I believe would be beneficial to me. In this regards, Discrete maths, Calculus and Linear...
  17. X

    Schools University of California Berkeley Courses

    Hey guys I have a question regarding math H104(Introduction to analysis) and math 115(Number Theory). I was wondering if I needed to do the pre-requisites? Or if you have taken the courses, what is your opinion of them.
  18. D

    Schools Theoretical Physics University

    Hello forum , so I've ventured to start searching for universities I plan on applying to... (Im still in high school ) and I would like to know what some of the best universities for Theoretical Physics are? How should one plan things out when choosing a University? Apart from Ranking and (ofc...
  19. S

    Bilkent University for MS - Reviews needed

    Hello I have been accepted into the Bilkent University graduate program in Physics and was wondering if anyone has much information about this university. Any former/current students who can review the department, so to speak. I am interested in theoretical condensed matter and high energy...
  20. trollcast

    Schools How important is university prestige?

    How important in the grand scheme of things is the ranking / pestige of the university that you attend for your undergrad degree? I'm not going to specify a subject but assume its within engineering or the physical sciences to narrow it slightly. How much if any does it contribute to your...
  21. S

    Schools Stanford EPGY University Level Math courses?

    Hi - I am interested if taking the Stanford EPGY uni-level math courses would be a good choice. It seems like they teach university level math courses and you receive stanford college credit for it. Does anyone know much more about their program? I've been accepted to be able to take classes...
  22. C

    Schools University of South Carolina's Nuclear Program

    Do you guys think USC has a decent nuclear engineering graduate program or should I consider somewhere else?
  23. Q

    Schools Majoring in physics at university

    I am a first-year student majoring in physics and (for the time being) philosophy. The courses that I'm taking would also allow me to major in pure maths or applied maths. During my final year at high school, I felt reasonably sure that I wanted to be a physicist. My grades for maths and...
  24. Abscissas

    Astrophysicist Salary & University: Guide to University Life

    Hello PF I am starting my life to be an astrophysicist and was wondering about how much do they get payed, i was thinking about probably becoming a professor if not working at lab hopefully for NASA seems unlikely though. I was also wondering what would be a good university for this, I've never...
  25. T

    Schools Bachelors in Physics - Open University

    Hello everyone I am new to this forum and seeking advice and opinions from members here for my career. I am 29 and live in the UK and hoping to start a degree in Physics from the Open University in October (For non-UK members the Open University is a distance learning University in the UK that...
  26. A

    Confusing mechanics(Extracted from my university physics paper)

    1. Initially the system of objects shown in the following figures is held motionless. All surfaces, pulley, and wheels are frictionless. At the instant after the system of objects is released, m2 moves vertically downward. Caculate the acceleration of m1, m2 and M, and the tension T in the...
  27. E

    Schools School and university decisions.

    Good evening everyone, I have a great interest in physics, am sixteen years old, and totally stuck in what I should choose to study when I'm done with school. I live in the netherlands, we have a very different school system then other countries, but basically, I will have to choose a...
  28. G

    Schools When does university mechanics get interesting?

    It seems as if every single statics problem in the textbooks I've seen has so far amounted to proving for the billionth time that you have the pythagorean theorem memorized. It's absolutely mind numbing. At what point do we get to do fun and interesting stuff, like derive the heat equation or...
  29. C

    Study in local state University without TA'ship or try again next year

    Greetings Physicists, I've been accepted to study at my state University for my Ph.D in Physics. I reticent to accept however for two reasons; 1. They are not offering me a TA'ship immediately. This means I would have to finance at least my first year with student loans and work study...
  30. P

    Schools Suggestion College or University In Malaysia

    I live in Malaysia and I had a lot of interest to study physics and become a physicist. But so far the education of physics in Malaysia was not good enough with compare with other country. I had graduated and wish to continue in future study. I know is a better choice is going other...
  31. G

    Schools European university masters program admission process

    Looking at some German/Swiss masters programs (mainly computational mechanics in Stuttgart, München, Lausanne) but having a tough time figuring out the admission process for international students. Do they generally only look at your bachelor's degree GPA and nothing else or does other stuff...
  32. M

    Schools Maths, ROTE and suffering at university

    I picked maths up because I thought it would improve my ability to problem solve - but I found maths at university to be far from what I expected. With all my undergrad subjects like calculus II, multi-variable and even linear algebra everything feels rushed and I have a very hard time getting...
  33. G

    Schools Undergrad university choice - your opinion of two schools

    As a high school senior, I have just heard back from all of my schools and now must make my decision. I plan on majoring in physics tracking myself towards graduate school, and eventually a research position, so naturally I want to be involved with undergrad research as soon as possible...
  34. alyafey22

    MHB Why Choose Learning Over Math Competitions?

    We are having a math contest on calculus at our university, hope me the best luck :D
  35. J

    Schools Physics PhD from a mediocre university

    I feel like this question has probably been asked but i couldn't find it anywhere. Is getting a PhD in physics from just a local university that's not highly ranked worth it? In general, how better off would someone be if they graduated from an ivy league? Do the majority of the tenured...
  36. Vahsek

    Schools How to become a university professor?

    Hello everybody, I am sure that there are lots of people like me here who like to think (about abstract things such as mathematics etc) very often. In fact, whenever I get an opportunity, I just start scribbling in a notebook about theorems, proofs and all that. So here's the thing I...
  37. F

    Schools Can an OU UG degree get me into top tier Master's/PhD programs?

    I am currently doing physics at Imperial College London, but am considering dropping out and applying for an OU degree. I've not made any decisions yet, as I'd like to know more about it before I decide. Though the main question is, could I still get into competitive PG programmes? I've asked my...
  38. K

    Schools Fast-track PhD in Physics/Electrical Engineering: Top Universities and Countries

    Does anybody know a university/country where PhD in Physics/Electrical Engineering can be obtained in less than 5 years?
  39. P

    Basic arithmetic through to university lvl textbook recommendations

    Hi all, newbie here. So I've tried asking this question on Reddit with barely a reply and now another forum I frequent with also not much of a reply. And a while back an acquaintance recommended this forum to me. So my request is can you recommend me some mathematics textbooks that go from...
  40. M

    Schools Is it so frowned upon to receive your Phd at the same university as BS

    Through circumstance, I believe I could finish my BS with over the 24 credits required for the "core" coursework of a PhD. This is supposed to take two additional years. While I know its important to explore your field and that means typically going to another uni for graduate school, is this a...
  41. T

    Schools Question about university applications (averages)

    I applied to the University of Alberta in Canada for engineering studies in the fall of this year. I always felt like a lot of people make university applications out to be a big deal in which you need crazy marks approaching 90% and further in order to get in. I always listened to what they...
  42. G

    Schools Astrophysics university course - advice

    Hello everybody, my name is Paolo! I am now attending my 4th year (out of 5) of high school in Italy and I would like to study astrophysics at university. Space has interested me since I was at primary school, so I'm very determined about my decision. Yet I have some doubts. First of all...
  43. trollcast

    Schools Undergrad university course advice

    Ok I've basically narrowed my choices down to physics, maths, computer science or electrical engineering. I'm not intending to go to a top university since they'd involve me having to move to england or scotland and even ignoring the economics of it (The course will be about x3 the price Just...
  44. P

    Schools What university should I apply to for a Physics undergraduate couse?

    Hi, my name is Alejandro. I'm a Spanish physics student and I'm in my first year of university here in Spain. Spanish university is of the worst in Europe and I wanted to start again my Physics degree (we call it degree here in Spain, I don't know how it's called in other countries) in another...
  45. B

    Schools Should I Retake Physics or Attend Summer School for University Admission?

    in my first semester i had math and physics as two of my 6 courses that i need for university but apparently i have a low mark of 65 in physics and i am thinking, should i take it again or should i take summer school? if i take it again then i am going to take five courses for secodn semester...
  46. M

    University Format over the centuries

    So does anyone know how teaching has evolved over the centuries? How Aristotle taught his students, was it like everyone gather around him as he gave a lecture in the sand making circles and such? How about Oxford in the 1600s? What was a lecture like back then?
  47. micromass

    Intro Physics University Physics by Young and Freedman

    Author: Hugh Young, Roger Freedman, Lewis Ford Title: University Physics with Modern Physics Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0321501217/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisites: Calculus
  48. tsuwal

    Studying Finding Best Books for Engineering Students at IST Lisbon

    I'm a Engineering student at "Instituto Superior Tecnico" in Lisbon (it's capital), renowned in Portugal for being its best engineering school. I have a hard time finding the best books in each subject since the bibliography is very extensive most of the times, or the teacher just chooses his or...
  49. M

    Looking For bubble physics university textbook

    Hi I'm doing a project on bubbles, and I'm trying to find resources on bubble physics. My professor said that there is a classic on by clive, but couldn't remember the details, and I can't find it anywhere. Could anybody help? Recommendations for any other good textbooks on basic bubble...
  50. dkotschessaa

    Error-riffic textbook written by a University Professor

    I will not mention the book by name unless I have to. However... I have a textbook for a class, which is quite bad. Amazon reviews of the book show 1 star ratings and terrible reviews. The book is error ridden, and there are quite a few typos and mistakes. The author teaches at my...
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