University of Copenhagen 176767 223414391 2008-07-03T23:44:11Z Lightbot 7178666 Units/dates/other {{Infobox_University |name =University of Copenhagen |native_name =Københavns Universitet |latin_name =Universitas Hafniensis |image_name =University of Copenhagen logo.png |image_size = 167px |motto =''Coelestem adspicit lucem'' ([[Latin]]) |mottoeng =It looks at the celestial light |established =1479 |type =Public university |endowment = |staff =App. 7,000 persons/app. 5,500 full-time equivalents |faculty = |rector =[[Ralf Hemmingsen]] |students =37,986 as per 1 October 2007 |undergrad = |postgrad = |doctoral = |city =[[Copenhagen]] |state = |country =[[Denmark]] |campus = |affiliations =[[International Alliance of Research Universities|IARU]], [[European University Association|EUA]], [[LAOTSE]] |website =[http://www.ku.dk/english/ www.ku.dk/english/] }} [[Image:KU inner city 1.jpg|thumb|200px|Main campus on ''Frue Plads''.]] [[Image:Metropolitanannekset.jpg|thumb|200px|Annex in ''Fiolstræde''.]] The '''University of Copenhagen''' ({{lang-da|Københavns Universitet}}) is the oldest and largest [[university]] and research institution in [[Denmark]]. Founded in 1479, it has more than 37,000 [[student]]s, a majority of whom are [[female]] (59%), and more than 7,000 employees. The university has several [[campus]]es located in and around Copenhagen, with the oldest located in central Copenhagen. Most courses are taught in Danish; however, some courses (mostly aimed at exchange students) are offered in [[English language|English]] and [[German language|German]]. The university is a member of the [[International Alliance of Research Universities]] (IARU). ==Faculties== The University of Copenhagen currently has eight faculties, although the composition and number of faculties has changed over time. * [[University of Copenhagen Faculty of Health Sciences|Faculty of Health Sciences]] * [[University of Copenhagen Faculty of Humanities|Faculty of Humanities]] * [[University of Copenhagen Faculty of Law|Faculty of Law]] * [[University of Copenhagen Faculty of Life Sciences|Faculty of Life Sciences]] * [[University of Copenhagen Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences|Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences]] * [[University of Copenhagen Faculty of Science|Faculty of Science]] * [[University of Copenhagen Faculty of Social Sciences|Faculty of Social Sciences]] * [[University of Copenhagen Faculty of Theology|Faculty of Theology]] ==History== [[Image:Copenhagen Rundetårn street left.jpg|thumb|left|The ''[[Rundetårn]]'' (round tower) was used in the 17th century as an observatory by [[Ole Rømer]].]] The University of Copenhagen was founded in 1479 and is the oldest [[university]] in Denmark. Between the closing of the [[Studium Generale]] in [[Lund]] in 1536 and the establishment of the [[University of Aarhus]] in the late 1920s, it was the only university in Denmark. The university became a centre of [[Roman Catholic]] [[theology|theological]] learning, but also had faculties for the study of [[law]], [[medicine]], and [[philosophy]]. The university was re-established in 1537 after [[Martin Luther]]'s [[reformation]] and transformed into an [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]]-[[Lutheran]] [[seminary]]. Between 1675 and 1788, the university introduced the concept of degree examinations. An examination for [[theology]] was added in 1675, followed by law in 1736. By 1788, all faculties required an examination before they would issue a degree. In 1801, under the command of [[Horatio Nelson|Admiral Horatio Nelson]], the [[United Kingdom|British]] fleet [[Bombardment|bombarded]] Copenhagen during the [[battle of Copenhagen (1801)|Battle of Copenhagen]], destroying most of the university's buildings. By 1836, however, the new main building of the university was inaugurated amid extensive building that continued until the end of the [[century]]. The [[library|university library]], the [[Zoology|Zoological Museum]], the [[Geology|Geological Museum]], the [[University of Copenhagen Botanical Garden|Botanic Garden]] with [[greenhouse]]s, and the Technical College were also established during this period. [[Image:Københavnsuniversitetsbibliotekfiolstræde.jpg|thumb|left|Interior of the old university library at ''Fiolstræde'' around 1920.]] Between 1842 and 1850, the faculties at the university were restructured. Starting in 1842, the [[Medicine|University Faculty of Medicine]] and the [[Surgery|Academy of Surgeons]] merged to form the [[University of Copenhagen Faculty of Health Sciences|Faculty of Medical Science]], while in 1848 the Faculty of Law was reorganised and became the [[University of Copenhagen Faculty of Law|Faculty of Jurisprudence and Political Science]]. In 1850, the [[Mathematics|Faculty of Mathematics and Science]] was separated from the [[Philosophy|Faculty of Philosophy]]. The first [[female]] student was enrolled at the university in 1877. The university underwent explosive growth between 1960 and 1980. The number of students rose from around 6,000 in 1960 to about 26,000 in 1980, with a correspondingly large growth in the number of employees. Buildings built during this time period include the new Zoological Museum, the [[Hans Christian Ørsted Institute|Hans Christian Ørsted]] and August Krogh Institutes, the campus centre on [[Amager|Amager Island]], and the [[Panum Institute]]. [[Image:Geologisk Museum 2.jpg|thumb|300px|The Geological Museum.]] The new university statute instituted in 1970 involved [[democratisation]] of the management of the university. It was modified in 1973 and subsequently applied to all [[higher education]] institutions in Denmark. Further change in the structure of the university from 1990 to 1993 made a [[Bachelor's degree]] programme mandatory in virtually all subjects. Also in 1993, the law departments broke off from the [[University of Copenhagen Faculty of Social Sciences|Faculty of Social Sciences]] to form a separate [[University of Copenhagen Faculty of Law|Faculty of Law]]. In 1994, the University of Copenhagen designated [[environmental studies]], north-south relations, and [[biotechnology]] as areas of special priority according to its new long-term plan. Starting in 1996 and continuing to the present, the university planned new buildings, including for the [[University of Copenhagen Faculty of Humanities]] at [[Amager]] (Ørestaden), along with a Biotechnology Centre. By 1999, the student population had grown to exceed 35,000, resulting in the university appointing additional professors and other personnel. [[Image:Nyekua.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The Faculty of Humanities.]] In 2005, the Center for Health and Society (Center for Sundhed og Samfund - CSS) opened in central Copenhagen, housing the Faculty of Social Sciences and Institute of Public Health, which until then had been located in various places throughout the city. In May 2006, the university announced further plans to leave many of its old buildings in the inner city of [[Copenhagen]], an area that has been home to the university for more than 500 years. The purpose of this has been to gather the university's many departments and faculties on three larger campuses in order to create a bigger, more concentrated and modern student environment with better teaching facilities, as well as to save money on rent and maintenance of the old buildings. The concentration of facilities on larger campuses also allows for more inter-disciplinary cooperation; for example, the Departments of Political Science and Sociology are now located in the same facilities at CSS and can pool resources more easily. In January 2007, the University of Copenhagen merged with the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University and the Danish University of Pharmaceutical Science. The two universities are now faculties under the University of Copenhagen, and are now known as the Faculty of Life Sciences and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. ==Student housing== [[Image:Tietgenkollegiet.jpg|right|thumb|[[Tietgenkollegiet]].]] Although many privately owned [[dormitories]] (''kollegier'' in Danish) exist in [[Copenhagen]], there are also five which are partially administered by the university. Only students who have passed at least two years of studies are considered for [[University and college admissions|admission]]. These are normally referred to as the ''old dormitories'', and they consist of [[Regensen]], [[Elers Kollegium]], [[Borchs Kollegium]], [[Hassagers Kollegium]], and [[Valkendorfs Kollegium]]. Contrary to the tradition of most [[United States|American]] dormitories, Danish dormitories in general, and the old dormitories in particular, only offer single rooms for rent, meaning no student has to share their room with others. Many Danish students live in dormitories throughout their studies. ==The seal== The oldest [[seal (device)|seal]] only exists on a letter from 1531 and it depicts [[Saint Peter]] with a key and a book. In a circle around him is the text {| :''Sigillum universitatis studii haffnensis''. | : |} When the university was re-established by [[Christian III of Denmark|Christian III]] in 1537 after the [[Protestant Reformation]], it received a new seal. The seal shows the king with [[Crown (headgear)|crown]], [[sceptre]], and [[globus cruciger]] sitting above a [[coat of arms]] that contains the [[Denmark|Danish]] coat of arms in the upper right part and the [[Norway|Norwegian]] coat in the left. The text is {| | :''Sigillum Universitatis Hafniensis A Christiano III Rege Restauravit'' | :''Seal of the University of Copenhagen, reestablished by King Christian III''. |} The 1537 seal is very similar to the current seal, shown at the top of this page. The text is different and there is only the national coat of arms of Denmark on the seal. The coat of arms has a crown and contains three lions and nine hearts. The text is {| | :''Sigillum Universitatis Hafniensis'' :''Fundatæ 1479'' :''Reformatæ 1537'' | :''Seal of the University of Copenhagen''. :''Founded 1479'' :''Reformed 1537'' |} In addition to the university seal, each of the university's eight faculties have a seal of their own. [[Image:Old seals of Uni Cph.jpg|left|301px|thumb|The seal of 1531 (1) and the seal of 1537 (2)]] ==International reputation== The [[THES - QS World University Rankings|THES/QS]] [http://www.topuniversities.com]ranking of 2007 places University of Copenhagen as number 93 in the world. The [[Academic Ranking of World Universities]] [http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/ranking.htm] published by [[Shanghai Jiao Tong University]] 2007 ranks the University of Copenhagen as the best university in [[Denmark]] and [[Scandinavia]], the 8th best university in [[Europe]], and is #46 in [http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2007/ARWU2007_Top100.htm Top 500 World Universities] The University of Copenhagen is ranked number 56 on a top 100 of the world's best universities published by Times Higher Education Supplement. It is the only Scandinavian university in the top 100. The university cooperates with universities around the world. In January 2006, the University of Copenhagen entered into a partnership of ten universities, along with the [[Australian National University]], [[ETH Zürich]], [[National University of Singapore]], [[Peking University]], [[University of California Berkeley]], [[University of Cambridge]], [[University of Oxford]], [[University of Tokyo]], and [[Yale University]]. The partnership is referred to as the [[International Alliance of Research Universities]] (IARU). [http://search.japantimes.co.jp/print/news/nn07-2005/nn20050712b2.htm] ==Notable Alumni== [[Image:Københavns universitet lektionskatalog 1537.jpg|thumb|The oldest surviving lecture plan from the university is from 1537.]] * [[Ove Arup|Sir Ove Arup]] (1896-1988), Anglo-Danish structural engineer. * [[Halldór Ásgrímsson]] (1947-), [[Prime Minister of Iceland]] (2004 - 2006). * [[Caspar Bartholin the Elder|Caspar Bartholin]] (1585 - 1629), professor in medicine and later theology at the university. Author of textbooks on anatomy and the discoverer of the workings of the [[olfactory nerve]]. * [[Rasmus Bartholin]] (1625 -1698), professor in geometry and later medicine. Discovered [[birefringence]], but was unable to give a scientific explanation. * [[Thomas Bartholin]] (1616 - 1680), Discoverer of the [[lymphatic system]]. * [[Aage Niels Bohr]] (1922 - ), professor in [[nuclear physics]] and director of the [[Niels Bohr Institute]] at the university. [[Nobel Prize in Physics|Nobel laureate in Physics]] (1975). * [[Niels Bohr]] (1885 - 1962), Essential contributor to development of the [[atom|Atomic model]] and the theory of [[Quantum Mechanics]]. Director at the university's [[Niels Bohr Institute|Institute of Theoretical Physics]]. [[Nobel Prize in Physics|Nobel laureate in Physics]] (1922). * [[Georg Brandes]] (1842 - 1927), Danish writer and critic. * [[Tycho Brahe]] (1546 - 1601), Danish astronomer, first scientific documentation [[Supernovas]], mentor of [[Johannes Kepler]]. * [[Morten Thrane Brunnich]] (1737 - 1827), Danish zoologist. * [[Henrik Dam]], [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine|Nobel laureate in Medicine and Physiology]] (1943). * [[Magnús Eiríksson]] (1806 - 1881), Icelandic theologian. * [[Johannes Andreas Grib Fibiger]] (1867 - 1928), [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine|Nobel laureate in Medicine and Physiology]] (1926). * [[Thomas Fincke]] (1561 - 1656), Danish mathematician and physicist. * [[Niels Ryberg Finsen]] (1860 - 1904), [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine|Nobel laureate in Medicine and Physiology]] (1903). * [[Nicolai Grundtvig|N.F.S Grundtvig]] (1783 - 1872), Danish writer, poet, philosopher and priest. * [[Julie Vinter Hansen]] (1890 - 1960), Danish astronomer. * [[Christopher Hansteen]] (1784 - 1873), Norwegian astronomer and physicist. * [[Johan Ludvig Heiberg (poet)|Johan Ludvig Heiberg]] (1791 - 1860), Danish poet and critic. * [[Piet Hein (Denmark)|Piet Hein]] (1905 - 1996), Danish mathematician, inventor and poet. * [[Ludvig Holberg]] (1684 - 1754), Danish-Norwegian writer and playwright. * [[Harald Høffding]] (1843 - 1931), Danish philosopher. * [[Peter Høeg]] (1957 - ), Danish fiction writer, won international acclaim with [[Smilla's Sense of Snow]]. * [[Peder Horrebow]] (1679 - 1764), Danish astronomer and member of [[Académie des Sciences]]. * [[Niels Kaj Jerne]] (1911 - 1994), [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine|Nobel laureate in Medicine and Physiology]] (1984). * [[Otto Jespersen]] (1860 - 1943), Danish linguist, co-founder of the [[International Phonetic Association]]. * [[Wilhelm Johannsen]] (1857 - 1927), Danish botanist, first coined the word gene in its modern usage. * [[Søren Kierkegaard|Søren Aabye Kierkegaard]] (1813 - 1855), Danish philosopher, the father of [[existentialism]]. * [[Thomas Hansen Kingo]], (1634 - 1803), Danish bishop and poet. * [[Jens Martin Knudsen]], (1930 - 2005), Danish astrophysicist. * [[August Krogh]], [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine|Nobel laureate in Medicine and Physiology]] (1920). * [[Frederik Vinding Kruse]] (1880 - 1963), Danish jurist. * [[Bjørn Lomborg]], (1965 - ), author of ''[[The Skeptical Enviromentalist]]''. * [[Johan Nicolai Madvig]], (1804 – 1886), a Danish philologist and Kultus Minister. * [[Kirstine Meyer]], (1861 - 1941), Danish physicist. * [[Ben Roy Mottelson]], [[Nobel Prize in Physics|Nobel laureate in Physics]] (1975). * [[Per Stig Møller]] (1942 - ) [[Foreign Minister of Denmark|Denmark's Minister of Foreign Affairs]] (2001 -). * [[Peter Naur]], computer scientist, [[Turing Award]] in 2005. * [[Holger Bech Nielsen]], a physicist. One of three creators of string theory. * [[Adam Gottlob Oehlenschläger]] (1779 - 1850), poet, author of lyrics of the Danish national anthem [[Der er et yndigt land]]. * [[Anders Sandoe Oersted (botanist)|Anders Sandoe Oersted]] (1816 - 1872), Professor of Botany 1851-1862. * [[Rasmus Rask]], (1787 - 1832), Danish scholar and philologist. * [[Poul Nyrup Rasmussen]], [[Prime Minister of Denmark]] (1993 - 2001). * [[Ole Rømer]], (1644 - 1710), Danish astronomer. * [[Poul Schlüter]], [[Prime Minister of Denmark]] (1982 - 1993). * [[Jens Christian Skou]],(1918-) [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry|Nobel laureate in Chemistry]] or his discovery of [[Na+,K+-ATPase]]. * [[Bengt Strömgren]], (1908 - 1987), Danish astronomer and astrophysicist. * [[Thor Pedersen]] (1945 - ) [[Finance Minister of Denmark]] (2001 - 2007) * [[Vilhelm Thomsen]], (1842 - 1927), Danish linguist. * [[Helle Thorning-Schmidt]] Leader of the Danish Social Democratic Party * [[Martin Vahl (botanist)|Martin Vahl]], (1749 - 1804), Danish-Norwegian botanist and zoologist. * [[Øjvind Winge]], (1886 - 1964), Danish biologist. * [[Ole Worm|Olaus Wormius]], (1588 - 1655), Danish phycisist and antiquary. * [[Anders Sandøe Ørsted]], (1778 - 1860), Danish jurist and [[Prime Minister of Denmark]] (1853 - 1854). * [[Hans Christian Ørsted]] (1777 – 1851), discovered electromagnetism. ==External links== {{commons|University of Copenhagen}} * [http://www.ku.dk/ University of Copenhagen Website] {{da icon}} {{en icon}} * [http://www.sund.ku.dk/ Faculty of Health Sciences website] {{da icon}} {{en icon}} * [http://www.hum.ku.dk/ Faculty of Humanities website] {{da icon}} {{en icon}} * [http://www.jur.ku.dk/ Faculty of Law website] {{da icon}} {{en icon}} * [http://www.life.ku.dk/ Faculty of Life Sciences website] {{da icon}} {{en icon}} * [http://www.farma.ku.dk/ Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences website] {{da icon}} {{en icon}} * [http://www.nat.ku.dk/ Faculty of Science website] {{da icon}} {{en icon}} * [http://www.samf.ku.dk/ Faculty of Social Sciences website] {{da icon}} {{en icon}} * [http://www.teol.ku.dk/ Faculty of Theology website] {{da icon}} {{en icon}} * [http://www.ku.dk/sa/studiestat/bestand/Bestand2007.htm Student body size as of October 1 2007] {{da icon}} {{coor title dms|55|40|47|N|12|34|21|E|region:DK_type:landmark}} {{UNICA}} {{International Alliance of Research Universities}} [[Category:Education in Copenhagen]] [[Category:Universities and colleges in Denmark|Copenhagen, University of]] [[Category:University of Copenhagen|*]] [[Category:1479 establishments|Copenhagen, University of]] [[Category:Educational institutions established in the 15th century|Copenhagen, University of]] [[bn:ইউনিভার্সিটি অফ কোপেনহেগেন]] [[da:Københavns Universitet]] [[de:Universität Kopenhagen]] [[et:Kopenhaageni Ülikool]] [[es:Universidad de Copenhague]] [[fr:Université de Copenhague]] [[is:Kaupmannahafnarháskóli]] [[la:Universitas Hafniensis]] [[nl:Universiteit van Kopenhagen]] [[ja:コペンハーゲン大学]] [[no:Københavns Universitet]] [[nn:Københavns Universitet]] [[pl:Uniwersytet Kopenhagi]] [[pt:Universidade de Copenhague]] [[fi:Kööpenhaminan yliopisto]] [[sv:Köpenhamns universitet]] [[th:มหาวิทยาลัยโคเปนเฮเกน]] [[vi:Đại học Copenhagen]] [[zh:哥本哈根大学]]