University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen (Københavns Universtitet) is the oldest and largest university and research institution in Denmark. It has almost 33,000 students, a majority of which are female, and more than 6,000 employees. It should not be confused with the Copenhagen Free University, a recently established radical university in Copenhagen. The University of Copenhagen has several campuses located in and around around Copenhagen, the oldest being located in central Copenhagen. It is the oldest university in Scandinavia. It, along with the University of Aarhus, are the most prestigious schools in Denmark. Most courses are offered in only Danish, however some courses are taught in English and German.
Faculties
History
- 1479: The University of Copenhagen is the first university to be founded in Denmark. It becomes a centre of Roman Catholic theological learning, but also has faculties for the studiy of law, medicine, and philosophy.
- 1537: The University is re-established after Martin Luther's reformation, and is now an Evangelical-Lutheran seminary.
- 1675-1788: Introduction of degree examinations: Theology (1675), Law (1736), and in 1788 all facilities require examinations before the issuance of a degree.
- 1801: The British fleet under the command of Admiral Horatio Nelson bombard Copenhagen, destroying most of the University's buildings.
- 1836: The new main building of the University is inaugurated. Extensive building work continues until the end of the century. The University Library, the Zoological Museum, the Geological Museum, the Botanical Gardens and greenhouses, and the Technical College are established.
- 1842-1850: The faculties are restructured: the University Faculty of Medicine and the Academy of Surgeons merge to form the Faculty of Medical Science (1842); the Faculty of Law is reorganised and becomes the Faculty of Jurisprudence and Political Science (1848); the Faculty of Mathematics and science is separated from the Faculty of Philosophy (1850).
- 1877: The first female student is enrolled at the University.
- 1960-1980: The University undergoes explosive growth. The number of students rises from about 6,000 to about 26,000, with a correspondingly large growth in the number of employees. Large new university buildings include the new Zoological Museum, the H.C. Ørsted and August Krogh Institutes, the building complex at Amager and the Panum Institute.
- 1970: The new University Statue involves democratisation of the management of the University. It is modified in 1973 and subsequently applies to all higher education institutions in Denmark.
- 1990-1993: A new educational structure is developed, making the Bachelor's degree programme manditory in virtually all subjects.
- 1992: More growth. Student numbers increase to over 34,000 in 1999: additional teachers and other personnel are appointed.
- 1993: The law departments break off from the Faculty of Social Sciences to form a separate Faculty of Law.
- 1994: As part of its long-term plan, the University of Copenhagen designates Environmental Studies, North-South Relations, and Biotechnology as areas of special priority.
- 1996 - ongoing: Plans for new buildings, including for the Faculty of Humanities at Amager (Ørestaden) and a Biotechnology Centre, are approved.
Famous people related to the university
