Chalmers University of Technology
Encyclopedia
Chalmers University of Technology , is a Swedish university located in Gothenburg
that focuses on research and education in technology, natural science and architecture.
(1748–1811), a director of the Swedish East India Company
, whose ships sailed across the world to supply Europe with goods from the East. He donated some of his fortune for the establishment of an "industrial school". Chalmers was run as a private institution until 1937, when the institute became a state-owned university. In 1994, the school once again became a private institution, owned by a foundation. Chalmers is one of only three universities in Sweden which are named after a person, the other two being Karolinska Institutet
and Linnaeus University
.
In addition to these, Chalmers is home to six national competence centres in key fields like Mathematical Modelling, Environmental Science and Vehicle Safety (SAFER).
that started in 2004 at Chalmers (as the first technical university in Sweden).
Currently, about 10% of all students at Chalmers come from countries outside Sweden to enroll in a Master's or PhD programme.
List of International Masters Programmes at Chalmers
Previous List of International Masters Programmes at Chalmers (login now required)
Around 2,700 students also attend Bachelor of Science engineering programmes, merchant marine and other undergraduate courses at Campus Lindholmen
. Chalmers also shares some students with Gothenburg University in the joint IT University project. The IT University focuses exclusively on information technology and offers Bachelor and Master programmes with degrees issued from either Chalmers or Gothenburg University, depending on the programme.
Chalmers confers honorary doctoral degrees to people outside the university who have shown great merit in their research or in society.
with 100 shares à 1,000 SEK
, all of which is owned by a private foundation (Chalmers University of Technology Foundation) which appoints the university board and the president. The foundation has its members appointed by the Swedish government (4 to 8 seats), the departments appoints one member, the student union
appoints one member and the president automatically gains one chair. Each department is led by a department head, usually a member of the faculty of that department. The faculty senate represents members of the faculty when decisions are taken.
In 1937, the school moved from the city center to the new Gibraltar Campus, named after the mansion which owned the grounds, where it is now located. The Lindholmen College Campus
was created in the early 1990s and is located on the island of Hisingen
. Campus Johanneberg and Campus Lindholmen, as they are now called, are connected by bus line number 16, but there have been numerous complaints that the campuses are too isolated from each other.
The University has general exchange agreements with many European and US universities and maintains a special exchange program agreement with National Chiao Tung University
(NCTU) in Taiwan where the exchange students from the two universities maintains offices for, among other things, helping local students with applying and preparing for an exchange year as well as acting as representatives (NCTU Europe – NCTU students at Chalmers, Chalmers Asia – Chalmers students at NCTU). It contributes also to the Top Industrial Managers for Europe
(TIME) network.
A close collaboration between the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Chalmers and ICVR at ETH Zurich is being established.
, the university was ranked between places 201 - 300 of all universities in the world and at the same time by the QS World University Rankings
the university was ranked 202nd in the world (overall),
In the latest (2011/2012) Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2011/2012 Chalmers ranked between 226 and 250 of all global universities.
In the 2011 International Professional Ranking of Higher Education Institutions, which is established on the basis of the number of alumni holding a post of Chief executive officer (CEO) or equivalent in one of the Fortune Global 500
companies, Chalmers University of Technology ranked 38th in the world, ranking 1st in Sweden and 15th in Europe.
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
that focuses on research and education in technology, natural science and architecture.
History
The University was founded in 1829 following a donation by William ChalmersWilliam Chalmers
William Chalmers was a Swedish merchant and freemason. He was born in Gothenburg in 1748 as the son of the Scottish merchant, William Chalmers, Sr., and his Swedish wife, Inga Orre. William Chalmers Jr. was the oldest amongst his brothers James, George Andreas and Charles Chalmers...
(1748–1811), a director of the Swedish East India Company
Swedish East India Company
The Swedish East India Company was founded in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1731 for the purpose of conducting trade with the Far East...
, whose ships sailed across the world to supply Europe with goods from the East. He donated some of his fortune for the establishment of an "industrial school". Chalmers was run as a private institution until 1937, when the institute became a state-owned university. In 1994, the school once again became a private institution, owned by a foundation. Chalmers is one of only three universities in Sweden which are named after a person, the other two being Karolinska Institutet
Karolinska Institutet
Karolinska institutet is a medical university in Solna within the Stockholm urban area, Sweden, and one of Europe's largest medical universities...
and Linnaeus University
Linnaeus University
Linnaeus University is a public university in the Småland region of Sweden. It has two campuses, one in Växjö and one in Kalmar. Linnaeus University was established in 2010 by a merger of former Växjö University and Kalmar University College , and has been named in honour of Carl Linnaeus.-...
.
Departments
On 1 January 2005, the old schools were replaced by new departments:- Applied Information Technology
- Applied Mechanics
- Applied Physics
- Architecture
- Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Energy and Environment
- Fundamental Physics
- Materials and Manufacturing Technology
- Mathematical Sciences
- Microtechnology and Nanoscience
- Product and Production Development
- Radio and Space Science
- Shipping and Marine Technology
- Signals and Systems
- Technology Management and Economics
In addition to these, Chalmers is home to six national competence centres in key fields like Mathematical Modelling, Environmental Science and Vehicle Safety (SAFER).
Students
Approximately 40% of Sweden's graduate engineers and architects are educated at Chalmers. Each year, around 250 post graduate degrees are awarded as well as 850 graduate degrees. About 1,000 post-graduate students attend programmes at the university and many students are taking Master of Science engineering programmes and the Master of Architecture programme. From 2007, all Master's programmes are taught in English for both national and international students. This was a result of the adaptation to the Bologna processBologna process
The purpose of the Bologna Process is the creation of the European Higher Education Area by making academic degree standards and quality assurance standards more comparable and compatible throughout Europe, in particular under the Lisbon Recognition Convention...
that started in 2004 at Chalmers (as the first technical university in Sweden).
Currently, about 10% of all students at Chalmers come from countries outside Sweden to enroll in a Master's or PhD programme.
List of International Masters Programmes at Chalmers
Previous List of International Masters Programmes at Chalmers (login now required)
Around 2,700 students also attend Bachelor of Science engineering programmes, merchant marine and other undergraduate courses at Campus Lindholmen
Chalmers Lindholmen University College
The Chalmers Lindholmen University College or Chalmers Lindholmen was a university college, and an affiliate of Chalmers University of Technology, located in Gothenburg, Sweden. The campus is located at Lindholmen on the island Hisingen. As of 2005 Chalmers Lindholmen no longer exists as a separate...
. Chalmers also shares some students with Gothenburg University in the joint IT University project. The IT University focuses exclusively on information technology and offers Bachelor and Master programmes with degrees issued from either Chalmers or Gothenburg University, depending on the programme.
Chalmers confers honorary doctoral degrees to people outside the university who have shown great merit in their research or in society.
Organization
Chalmers is an aktiebolagAktiebolag
Aktiebolag is the Swedish term for "limited company" or "corporation". When used in company names, it is abbreviated "AB" or "Ab"...
with 100 shares à 1,000 SEK
Swedish krona
The krona has been the currency of Sweden since 1873. Both the ISO code "SEK" and currency sign "kr" are in common use; the former precedes or follows the value, the latter usually follows it, but especially in the past, it sometimes preceded the value...
, all of which is owned by a private foundation (Chalmers University of Technology Foundation) which appoints the university board and the president. The foundation has its members appointed by the Swedish government (4 to 8 seats), the departments appoints one member, the student union
Students' union
A students' union, student government, student senate, students' association, guild of students or government of student body is a student organization present in many colleges and universities, and has started appearing in some high schools...
appoints one member and the president automatically gains one chair. Each department is led by a department head, usually a member of the faculty of that department. The faculty senate represents members of the faculty when decisions are taken.
Campuses
Chalmers Lindholmen University College
The Chalmers Lindholmen University College or Chalmers Lindholmen was a university college, and an affiliate of Chalmers University of Technology, located in Gothenburg, Sweden. The campus is located at Lindholmen on the island Hisingen. As of 2005 Chalmers Lindholmen no longer exists as a separate...
was created in the early 1990s and is located on the island of Hisingen
Hisingen
Hisingen is the fourth-largest island of Sweden , with an area of , and the most populous, forming part of Gothenburg Municipality, Västra Götaland County. It is bordered by the Göta älv in the south and east, the Nordre älv in the north, and the Kattegat in the west...
. Campus Johanneberg and Campus Lindholmen, as they are now called, are connected by bus line number 16, but there have been numerous complaints that the campuses are too isolated from each other.
Societies and traditions
Traditions are kept alive at Chalmers. These include the pompous graduation ceremony and the Cortège procession, an annual public event.- Chalmers Students' UnionChalmers Students' UnionChalmers Student Union is the student union at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. Its primary purpose is to look after the interests of the students of the university in questions regarding the education...
- Chalmers Aerospace Club – founded in 1981. In SwedishSwedish languageSwedish is a North Germanic language, spoken by approximately 10 million people, predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along its coast and on the Åland islands. It is largely mutually intelligible with Norwegian and Danish...
frequently also referred to as Chalmers rymdgrupp (roughly Chalmers Space Group). Members of CAC led the ESA funded CACTEX (Chalmers Aerospace Club Thermal EXperiment) project where the thermal conductivityThermal conductivityIn physics, thermal conductivity, k, is the property of a material's ability to conduct heat. It appears primarily in Fourier's Law for heat conduction....
of alcohol at zero gravity was investigated using a sounding rocketSounding rocketA sounding rocket, sometimes called a research rocket, is an instrument-carrying rocket designed to take measurements and perform scientific experiments during its sub-orbital flight. The origin of the term comes from nautical vocabulary, where to sound is to throw a weighted line from a ship into...
. - Chalmers Ballong CorpsChalmers Ballong CorpsChalmers Ballong Corps is a students' hot-air ballooning club at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden....
- Chalmers Computer Society – Disbanded in 2008 due to low membership.
- CETACCETACChalmers Engineering Trainee Appointment Committee is a student group located at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. The sole purpose of the organisation is to bring American companies and Swedish students together...
- Chalmers Choir
- Chalmersspexet – Amateur theater group which has produced new plays since 1948
- The CortègeThe CortègeThe Cortège , or The Chalmers Cortège is an annual carnival parade held on Walpurgis Night by students of the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg...
- Chalmers International Reception Committee (CIRC)
- XP
- Chalmers Program Committee – PU
- Chalmers Students for Sustainability – CSS promoting sustainable development among the students and runs projects, campaigns and lectures.
- Föreningen Chalmers Skeppsbyggare, Chalmers Naval Architecture Students' SocietyChalmers Naval Architecture Students' SocietyThe Chalmers Naval Architecture Students' Society is a naval architecture graduate students group at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden. The Society was found in 1887 following the establishment of the Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering Department at the University...
(FCS)
Ties and partnerships
Chalmers has partnerships with major industries mostly in the Gothenburg region such as Ericsson, Volvo and SKF.The University has general exchange agreements with many European and US universities and maintains a special exchange program agreement with National Chiao Tung University
National Chiao Tung University
National Chiao Tung University is a public university located in Hsinchu, Taiwan. It is recognized as one of the most prestigious and selective universities in Taiwan and is renowned for its research and teaching excellence in electrical engineering, computer science, engineering, management, and...
(NCTU) in Taiwan where the exchange students from the two universities maintains offices for, among other things, helping local students with applying and preparing for an exchange year as well as acting as representatives (NCTU Europe – NCTU students at Chalmers, Chalmers Asia – Chalmers students at NCTU). It contributes also to the Top Industrial Managers for Europe
Top Industrial Managers for Europe
Top Industrial Managers for Europe is a network of more than fifty engineering schools and faculties and technical universities....
(TIME) network.
A close collaboration between the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Chalmers and ICVR at ETH Zurich is being established.
Rankings
In the latest (2011) Academic Ranking of World UniversitiesAcademic Ranking of World Universities
The Academic Ranking of World Universities , commonly known as the Shanghai ranking, is a publication that was founded and compiled by the Shanghai Jiaotong University to rank universities globally. The rankings have been conducted since 2003 and updated annually...
, the university was ranked between places 201 - 300 of all universities in the world and at the same time by the QS World University Rankings
QS World University Rankings
The QS World University Rankings is a ranking of the world’s top 500 universities by Quacquarelli Symonds using a method that has published annually since 2004....
the university was ranked 202nd in the world (overall),
In the latest (2011/2012) Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2011/2012 Chalmers ranked between 226 and 250 of all global universities.
In the 2011 International Professional Ranking of Higher Education Institutions, which is established on the basis of the number of alumni holding a post of Chief executive officer (CEO) or equivalent in one of the Fortune Global 500
Fortune Global 500
The Fortune Global 500 is a ranking of the top 500 corporations worldwide as measured by revenue. The list is compiled and published annually by Fortune magazine....
companies, Chalmers University of Technology ranked 38th in the world, ranking 1st in Sweden and 15th in Europe.
Notable alumni
- Gustaf DalénGustaf DalénNils Gustaf Dalén was a Swedish Nobel Laureate and industrialist, the founder of the AGA company and inventor of the AGA cooker and the Dalén light...
, Nobel Prize in PhysicsNobel Prize in PhysicsThe Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded once a year by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. It is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Alfred Nobel in 1895 and awarded since 1901; the others are the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Nobel Prize in Literature, Nobel Peace Prize, and... - Leif Johansson, CEO VolvoVolvoAB Volvo is a Swedish builder of commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses and construction equipment. Volvo also supplies marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace components and financial services...
- Leif Östling, CEO Scania ABScania ABScania Aktiebolag , commonly referred to as Scania AB or just Scania, is a major Swedish automotive industry manufacturer of commercial vehicles - specifically heavy trucks and buses...
- Peter Augustsson, former CEO Saab AutomobileSaab AutomobileSaab Automobile AB, better known as Saab , is a Swedish car manufacturer owned by Dutch automobile manufacturer Swedish Automobile NV, formerly Spyker Cars NV. It is the exclusive automobile Royal Warrant holder as appointed by the King of Sweden...
- Lars G. Josefsson, former CEO VattenfallVattenfallVattenfall is a Swedish power company. The name Vattenfall is Swedish for waterfall, and is an abbreviation of its original name, Royal Waterfall Board...
- Hans Stråberg, former President and CEO of ElectroluxElectroluxThe Electrolux Group is a Swedish appliance maker.As of 2010 the 2nd largest home appliance manufacturer in the world after Whirlpool, its products sell under a variety of brand names including its own and are primarily major appliances and vacuum cleaners...
- Peter NordinPeter NordinPeter Nordin is a Swedish computer scientist, entrepreneur and author who has contributed to artificial intelligence, automatic programming, machine learning, and evolutionary robotics.- Studies and early career :...
, computer scientistComputer scientistA computer scientist is a scientist who has acquired knowledge of computer science, the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their application in computer systems....
and entrepreneur - Sigfrid EdströmSigfrid EdströmJohannes Sigfrid Edström was a Swedish industrialist, chairman of the Sweden-America Foundation, and an official with the International Olympic Committee.-Early life:...
, director ASEA, president IOCInternational Olympic CommitteeThe International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president... - Carl Abraham PihlCarl Abraham PihlCarl Abraham Pihl was a Norwegian civil engineer and director of the Norwegian State Railways from 1865 until his death...
, engineer and director of first Norwegian railroad (HovedbanenHovedbanenThe Hoved Line is a railway line in Norway which runs between Oslo and Eidsvoll. The line is owned by the Norwegian National Rail Administration.-History:...
). - Gert WingårdhGert WingårdhGert Wingårdh is a Swedish architect whose company, Wingårdh arkitektkontor, maintains an international practice.- Personal life :Gert Wingårdh was born 1951 into a wealthy family in Skövde, Västergötland county, as the only child. His father owned the local cement factory and the family’s house...
, architectArchitectAn architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the... - Abraham LangletAbraham LangletNils Abraham Langlet was a Swedish chemist.Langlet was born in Södertälje. From 1886 to 1896, he studied chemistry under Per Teodor Cleve at Uppsala University, where he obtained a doctorate in 1896, and was made docent in the same year...
, chemist - Abbas Anvari, former chancellor of Sharif University of TechnologySharif University of TechnologySharif University of Technology is a university of higher education in technology, engineering and physical sciences in Tehran. Sharif University of Technology is one of the most prestigious universities in the country, and is considered Iran's MIT...
- Christopher AhlbergChristopher AhlbergChristopher Ahlberg is a Swedish-born entrepreneur and computer scientist. He is currently the CEO and co-founder of Recorded Future. Ahlberg is also an independent director of Hult International Business School, sits on the board of Swedish software corporation Apptus AB, and holds a board seat...
, computer scientistComputer scientistA computer scientist is a scientist who has acquired knowledge of computer science, the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their application in computer systems....
and entrepreneur - Linn BerggrenLinn BerggrenMalin Sofia Katarina Berggren is a former member of the band Ace of Base. Having been interested and involved in music since her childhood, she formed the band in 1987, along with her sister Jenny, her brother Jonas and their friend Ulf Ekberg. Before forming Ace of Base, Malin sang in her...
, artist and former member of Ace of BaseAce of BaseAce of Base is a pop band based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Its original lineup consisted of Ulf "Buddha" Ekberg, and three siblings, Jonas "Joker" Berggren, Malin "Linn" Berggren and Jenny Berggren... - Claes-Göran GranqvistClaes-Göran GranqvistClaes-Göran Granqvist was born in Helsingborg, Sweden, in 1946. He is one of the leading figures of Swedish and international science in various fields including nanomaterials; green nanotechnology; materials for solar energy utilization and energy efficiency , electrochromic materials...
, physicistPhysicistA physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole... - Mats HillertMats HillertMats Hillert, born 28 November 1924 in Gothenburg, is a Swedish metallurgist who is an emeritus professor in metallography at the Royal Institute of Technology ....
, metallurgist - Ivar JacobsonIvar JacobsonIvar Hjalmar Jacobson is a Swedish computer scientist, known as major contributor to UML, Objectory, RUP and aspect-oriented software development.- Biography :...
, computer scientistComputer scientistA computer scientist is a scientist who has acquired knowledge of computer science, the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their application in computer systems.... - Olav Kallenberg, probability theoristProbabilistA probabilist is either:* A follower of probabilism * A mathematician who practices probability theory; see List of mathematical probabilists...
- Hjalmar KumlienHjalmar KumlienKnut Hjalmar Kumlien , was a Swedish architect.Kumlien graduated at Chalmers University of Technology in 1856 and then continued his studies at the Technical Engineering School in Holzmünden in Braunschweig between 1858-60. He then worked as infrastructure architect with Adolf W...
, architectArchitectAn architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the... - Ingemar LundströmIngemar LundströmIngemar Lundström, born May 9 1941 in Skellefteå, Sweden is a Swedish Professor of Applied Physics at Linköping University.Professor Lundström received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1967 at Chalmers University of Technology and his Ph.D. in Solid State Physics in 1970 from the same university...
, physicistPhysicistA physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
, chairman of the Nobel Committee for PhysicsNobel Committee for PhysicsThe Nobel Committee for Physics is the Nobel Committee responsible for proposing laureates for the Nobel Prize for Physics. The Nobel Committee for Physics is appointed by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences... - Carl MagnussonCarl MagnussonCarl Gustav Magnusson is an industrial designer and inventor with offices in New York City and Switzerland.-Life and career:...
, industrial designer and inventor - Semir MahjoubSemir MahjoubSemir Mahjoub also known as Samir Mahjoub is a Swedish-Tunisian businessman.- Biography :Semir Mahjoub held different positions at Ericsson between 1994 and 2000, and between 2005 and 2011, including President of mobile commerce company Ericsson Money Services...
, businessman and entrepreneur - Åke ÖbergÅke ÖbergPer "Åke" Öberg, born 1937 in Härnösand, is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Linköping University, Sweden.Öberg received his M.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1964 from Chalmers University of Technology and his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering in 1971 from Uppsala University. In 1963-1972 he...
, biomedical scientistBiomedical scientistA biomedical scientist is a scientist trained in biology, particularly in the context of medicine... - Richard Soderberg, businessman, inventor and professor at Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyThe Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
- Ludvig StrigeusLudvig StrigeusLudvig Strigeus is a Swedish programmer best known for developing software such as the BitTorrent client µTorrent, OpenTTD, and ScummVM...
, computer scientistComputer scientistA computer scientist is a scientist who has acquired knowledge of computer science, the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their application in computer systems....
and entrepreneur - Per Håkan SundellPer Håkan SundellPer Håkan Sundell is a programmer and computer scientist with roots in the scene and early computer enthusiasts of the eighties, when he was known as PHS of CCS .- Biography :Håkan currently holds a Ph.D...
, computer scientistComputer scientistA computer scientist is a scientist who has acquired knowledge of computer science, the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their application in computer systems....
and entrepreneur - Jan WärebyJan WärebyJan Wäreby in Karlskoga, Sweden, is the current Head of Group Function Sales and Marketing and Senior Vice President at Ericsson.-Career:...
, businessman
Rectors (Presidents)
Although the official Swedish title for the head is "rektor", the university now uses "President" as the English translation.| 1829–1852 | Carl Palmstedt |
| 1852–1881 | Eduard von Schoultz |
| 1881–1913 | August Wijkander |
| 1913–1933 | Hugo Grauers |
| 1934–1943 | Sven Hultin |
| 1943–1958 | Gustav Hössjer |
| 1958–1966 | Lennart Rönnmark |
| 1966–1974 | Nils Gralén |
| 1974–1989 | Sven Olving |
| 1989–1998 | Anders Sjöberg |
| 1998–2006 | Jan-Eric Sundgren Jan-Eric Sundgren Jan-Eric Sundgren , is a Swedish engineer and Senior Vice President at Volvo. Before that position he was a Professor of Physics at Linköping University and Rector at Chalmers University of Technology.... |
| 2006– | Karin Markides |
See also
- University of Gothenburg (Göteborg University)
- IT University of GöteborgIT University of GöteborgIT University is a joint department between Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. This joint venture offers a great scope for cooperation between researchers with different areas of expertise and academic specialties within the field of information...
- List of universities in Sweden