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. U

    What steps can you take to prepare for university?

    hi everyone, I'll be finishing school by the end of February and will be enrolled into university to study physics at the start of october. Any constructive ideas as to what to do before I enrol? (I've thought about studying in advance, but not sure if that would do much help)...
  2. A

    Schools Choosing Between Engineering and Physics: A Student's Perspective

    so I had a talk with my parents about applying to university. My parents are thinking of engineering and I am thinking of physics. Obviously my parents are concerned about job prospects of pure science degrees, also worried sick that I might not get in grad school. On the other hand, I am kinda...
  3. B

    Schools Astronomy and Astrophysics at University of Toronto; Admission requirements?

    I am interested in the Astronomy and Astrophysics program at the University of Toronto. How well does one need to do in high-school to get into the program? What are the required courses and what marks would be advantageous? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
  4. M

    Schools What is a good university for pursuing studies in mathematics?

    Well, I'm only a high school student in Morocco, but i just want to know if there any suggestions? I'm studying in a high school branch specified for only math and physics studies.
  5. B

    Schools Getting in Northeastern University

    Hi, My name is Bruno. I'm applying to Physics at Northeastern university. I have a Fellowship to study there (from another institution). My problem is that I have failed the IELTS exam (6 and I needed a 6.5). I will try the TOEFL, but I don't have too much time. I also have a master degree...
  6. T

    College vs High School: Academic Challenges and Personal Preferences

    Which of the two did you find harder? Which did you enjoy more?
  7. B

    Schools Advice: University of Calgary Residence

    Hi, I need some advice! It isn't academic advice per se, but related nevertheless. I'm a 4th year student moving to Calgary this winter to do a work co-op with the Physics department at U of C, and I need somewhere to live. The city of Calgary is new to me. I applied for residence -...
  8. D

    Schools Can I Study in a Top 15 U.S. University with My Libyan Degree and Percentage?

    hello every body i am a mechanical engineer ,and i was graduated 2 years ag with a percentage of 72.56% from a libyan university(sebha university) and the country has given me the chance of completing my study abroad andd i like to complete it in USA so can i get a suitable and famous university...
  9. A

    Schools What is the best study plan for entering university in Brazil?

    Hi, I'm Anders, this is my first post here, although I have already been reading posts here for months. I've decided to finally create an account here because I really need help with the number of hours I should be studying. I've already searched and I saw many posts here about this subject...
  10. M

    Schools University of Pittsburgh Physics

    Does anybody know/ is familiar with the quality of the physics (and math) departments at the University of Pittsburgh? Specifically for undergraduates. Thanks
  11. E

    Schools University of Manchester or West Schotland?

    Next year I will finish my masters in nuclear physics. I have the opportunity to go abroad as part of the European Erasmus programme. At this moment I'm considering three topics at either University of Manchester or University of West Schotland (Paisly). I know lots of people who went abroad for...
  12. B

    Schools University calculus course self study in five weeks

    I dropped out of college five years ago, before my studies really had begun. My original plan was to start again my engineering physics studies in January but my problem is that some of the courses available for spring are continuing on the fall studies. Now I got a bit surprising turn of...
  13. H

    Schools Should You Choose Waterloo or McGill for Math and Physics?

    So I'm a Canadian student currently in Terminale in a French Baccalaureate school (french equivalent of grade 12), and I was hoping some of you could help me out with some questions I've got. In Canada, I'm applying to Waterloo and McGill in their mathematics/physics programs. McGill is a 3...
  14. A

    Research without university degree

    Hi All, After four years of hard working in university campus during the course of mechanical engineering, i have had a very painful and unjust punishment instead of any reward. The details are long, precisely I will say i have studied four years in university, mean while a lecturer...
  15. B

    Schools University of Toronto - Engineering or Engineering Science?

    I heard a lot about these two programs and I'm quizzical on which one I should apply to. Can someone give me an overview with pros and cons on the two programs? I heard EngSci is much harder with the same potential benefits as normal Eng. All help would be appreciated :)
  16. S

    Schools James Cook University Online Astronomy Degree: Worth it or Not?

    Hey everyone! I am new to the forum so be kind. I tried using the search function to find an answer to this question but could not dig one up. I have come to a point in my life where I need a career change I am 26 and considering a few options to shake up my life. I have long had a passion for...
  17. B

    Does University Science and Math Courses Take Too Much Time?

    Just out of curiosity, I'm wondering if anybody else experiences this when taking University science and math courses: Unlike some of my peers, I usually gain nothing from lectures (there are exceptions with phenom professors). In order for me to retain information I need to make complete of...
  18. J

    Partial Differential Equations at university

    Hi guys, I am a Erasmus student in Vienna. Due to the difference between the plans in my home universtity and Vienna, I have to deal with having to take Parcial differential equations without having done Differential Equations 1 or 2. In accordance with my university, I should take here...
  19. S

    Schools Masters Degree in Physics at Lund University - A Review

    Does anybody know how good the masters degree in physics at Lund University is? Also what topics do they specialize in? I am considering to study there. Currently I am studying at the University of Technology in Vienna.
  20. T

    University Physics by Young & Freedman - Self Study

    Am I being lulled by a basic text? I am re-studying basic physics and calculus for a run at a physics degree. I am using the Stewart text for calculus and I find it challenging. I am using the Young and Freedman physics text, and I find the calculus-based portions incredibly basic. I am...
  21. U

    University Physics 1 Work Problem

    Homework Statement You apply a constant force F=(-68.0N)i + (36.0N)j to a 390kg car as the car travels 60.0m in a direction that is 240.0° counterclockwise from the x-axis. How much work does the force you apply do on the car? Homework Equations W=Fs W=K2-K1 W=Fcos(θ)s F/m=a...
  22. D

    How much maths is involved outside of university?

    i've heard from people: the real world is nothing like university, engineers don't really use much except for formulas and computers do most of it anyway. How true is this? I personally hate maths but i like engineering, trying to just get through it. Also since i hate maths, is it even...
  23. I

    University Physics- Young Freedman 12/E errata

    Hi I am trying to get the errata for "University Physics with Modern Physics by Young and Freedman 12th edition" I couldn't find it on publisher's webpage. :mad: Anybody has it ? thanks
  24. N

    Crafting a Winning Biomedical Engineering Project Proposal for UVA Application

    I'm currently working on my UVA application and finished it all except for one part. Its a small writing portion of about 250 words. It states: "If you were given funding for a small engineering project, what would you do?" I chose Biomedical Engineering as my major. So perhaps relating my...
  25. M

    Schools Can Retaking Physics Hurt My University Admission Chances?

    Well here's a little background of my situation. I am turning 20 soon and retaking physics for the second time, the first time I took it I got a 62%, in all honesty all my grade 12 marks were quite bad, only getting about a 70% average. After I graduated I was still really undecided of what I...
  26. P

    Schools Choose a University for Physics: UofWaterloo, Mcmaster, UofToronto

    University time! :d? UNIVERSITY TIME! :D? Hello fellow physics lovers, I need all the advice I can get in choosing a university. OKAY ill be quick The program - Physics (honours/specialist) The Universities - UofWaterloo, Mcmaster, UofToronto Maybe - Queens, UofOttawa I live in...
  27. matqkks

    How can we attract students to study mathematics at university?

    How can we attract students to study mathematics at university?
  28. H

    Schools What Are the Career Prospects for Physics PhDs from Non-Ivy League Schools?

    PhD from a "regular" University Hi, So I recently started grad school going for a PhD in Physics at Oregon State University.So far It seems like a decent program and the research is interesting. I've just started thinking about what kind of opportunities I'll have after I get my PhD though...
  29. L

    Schools Top Astrophysics Universities on the West Coast: A Family-Friendly Guide

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  30. A

    Schools MSc. Physics in English at Stuttgart University

    Hello Friends, I have been searching to take my masters in physics in Germany and found Stuttgart Uni. I am looking forward into it. But i have few doubts related to course, fees and city. I have no knowledge of German. 1) How is the reputation to study Physics in Stuttgart Varsity? 2) The...
  31. J

    Schools Can I get into university to study physics, if I get bad grades in languages?

    Ok so I was wondering, I have been a lazy **** lately and gotten **** grades, I got 1/10 in Phonetics, witch is a pointless subject, I also suck in french, english and danish. I am getting bad grades around 3-5/10. But I can get good grades in physics and mathematics. I am good at those things...
  32. R

    Schools What career path(s) should I consider going on in university?

    I'm only in grade 10, but I really love science, especially physics. I want to go to university for a career in that area, but I don't really know where to start looking. The university that I'd most likely have as my first choice is the University of British Columbia, since it's about an hour...
  33. S

    Schools Best university for UG degree in physics with low fees and low cost of living

    Which is the best university for undergraduate degree in physics with low fees and low cost of living?
  34. N

    Schools Graduate Program in Same University System Bad?

    I've heard that some employers/universities look down upon going to the same Undergrad as grad institution (unless the program is top ranked, or circumstances, etc) but what about going to a different university campus within the same university system? I would see nothing wrong with that...
  35. R

    Programs Preparing PhD in American University Without Physics Background

    Greetings to the members and staff of this forum which I find very good. I want to know if it is possible to prepare a PhD in an American university without having a course in physics. I have a background in natural science (biology) and in management but I am passionate in physics. I knew...
  36. M

    Schools Teaching university for my master's

    there was a post on www.reddit.com/r/science a couple of days ago that involved someone bitching about dealing with foreign grad students teaching all of their classes wherein someone commented something along the lines of "you should have gone to a private teaching college instead of a research...
  37. binbagsss

    Schools University undergraduate choice - St. Andrews : Theoretical physics or

    Theoretical Physics and Mathematics? By doing the joint would I miss out on valuable theoretical physics and be less able to specialise...? I mean a Theoretical Physics degree involves a lot of mathematics anyway right? Thanks for any advice :) !
  38. A

    Thirty One Year Old Tempted to Return to University

    I spent six years at university and changed majors A LOT (mostly in the natural sciences). I was searching, but I never did find what I was looking for. When my money was running out, I changed to a major I could finish in time: English. I did a thesis and graduated with honors. I thought it...
  39. M

    Studying Can physicists do any physics problem from a university physics textbook?

    I'm a second year college student right now and I have decided to major in physics, it is the only subject I have taken so far that has provided me with a challenge (this semester). I am currently taking Physics 2 right now and I have got to say this class is really challenging, well not the...
  40. N

    Schools Comparing Ryerson, Brock, and Carleton for Biochem Programs: Job Prospects

    I want to go into a biochem program, are Ryerson, Brock , and Carleton good unis? will i get a jawb?
  41. M

    Have You Ever Not Coped At University?

    First of all I was unsure as to which forum this topic should go. Sorry in advance Essentially, I am looking for as much advice as possible. I'm at my accommodation now and next Monday I will start my courses. Now, like many people, I did a lot to get here and sacrificed a lot. What happens...
  42. G

    Schools Should I Study Physics or Engineering at a Top University?

    Hello, I've just started my last year of high school in an international shcool in Spain and need to start thinking about applications, universities, courses, etc. and as for many people, the hardest part is making decissions. First, I have the typical physics-engineering problem :-p Let me...
  43. R

    Schools HELP find university in UK for course Electrical Engineering

    Hi! I need some help to find a university in Uk. I'm studying electrical engineering in 4th year. Next year (5th) I want to go to the UK to finish the course. At my university I have two modules that I have to do to finish the course, so plan to have these modules at a university in the...
  44. T

    Schools Using something like Anki (spaced repetition system) for university?

    Greetings everyone! Has anyone here successfully used a program like Anki to try and remember as much information for university exams? Has it been a successful method of study, or a big waste of time?? I'm in an engineering program and everything is split in units of two weeks, where we...
  45. cobalt124

    University fights Philip Morris tobacco research bid

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-14744240 I find it disturbing that the Tobacco Industry may be able to profit from Freedom of Information requests. Is this allowed elsewhere? Any thoughts/comments?
  46. Y

    Schools I want to study cosmology, which university should i apply ?

    i want to study cosmology,and i am going to apply this year. i am not qualified for the top 20 universities' Ph.D program, and i think i should apply some universities ranking from 30 to 100, i mean , ranking of physics, but still strong enough in theory cosmology. however, i have no idea...
  47. J

    Choosing a partner in chemistry courses at a university or college

    What method do you use to pair up with a partner or multiple partners when taking a chemistry course? What is it about the partner that you picked that made you pick them? :) Does your method ever include avoiding people who you think are important so that you don't pair up with people who you...
  48. S

    Schools Need advice on choosing university courses.

    Hi there, I am going to start attending classes at the University of Ottawa starting from September and I am currently enrolled in their physics programme. The thing is, you have to register for your fall and winter courses at the same time and you have to do it quite early to get seats in your...
  49. C

    Schools If a university program is still open to applicants, is it too late to apply

    Hi everybody, I've been deciding to transfer to another Ontario University (York University) and I have looked to see if the program that I am interested in is open and to my surprise the program is open. I have already applied to the program to be on the safe side, but if a program is still...
  50. B

    Schools Carleton University EngPhys ugrad to grad school at Berkeley

    I'm an undergrad at Carleton University (Canada) in EngPhys. I just finished my third year. My interest is in semiconductor physics. I have a A average grade, and two years research experience. I was wondering, is aiming for MSE at Berkeley or UIllinois or Michigan too high for me? What about...
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