Utrecht University
Encyclopedia
Utrecht University is a university
in Utrecht
, Netherlands
. It is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands and one of the largest in Europe
. Established March 26, 1636, it had an enrollment of 29,082 students in 2008, and employed 8,614 faculty and staff, 570 of which are full professors. In 2004, 358 Ph.D.
degrees were awarded and 7,010 scientific articles were published. The 2008 budget of the university was €715 million.
The university is rated as the best university in the Netherlands by both the Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2011
and the Shanghai Ranking of World Universities 2011
, and ranked as the 18th best European university and 68th best university of the world by the former ranking and 12th best European university and 48th best of the world by the latter.
The university's motto is "Sol Iustitiae Illustra Nos," which means "Sun of Justice, shine upon us." This motto was gleaned from a literal Latin bible translation of Malachi 3:20. Utrecht University is led by the University Board, consisting of Yvonne van Rooy
(President), prof.dr. Bert van der Zwaan (Rector Magnificus) and Hans Amman.
Utrecht University was founded on March 26, 1636. The inaugural speech was given by influential professor of theology Gisbertus Voetius
, and Bernardus Schotanus (professor of law and mathematics) was the university's first rector magnificus. Initially, only a few dozen students attended classes at the university. Seven professors worked in four departments: philosophy, which offered all students an introductory education, and three higher-level departments (theology, medicine and law).
Utrecht University flourished in the seventeenth century, despite competition with the older universities of Leiden
(1575), Franeker
(1585) and Groningen
(1614) and the schools of Harderwijk
(1599; a university since 1648) and Amsterdam (1632). Leiden, in particular, was a strong competitor and made further improvement necessary. A botanical garden
was built on the grounds of the present Sonnenborgh Observatory
, and three years later the Smeetoren added an astronomical observatory. The university attracted many students from abroad (especially Germany, England and Scotland). They witnessed the intellectual and theological battle the proponents of the new philosophy (René Descartes
lived for a few years in Utrecht) fought with the proponents of the strict Reformed
theologian Voetius.
In 1806, the French occupants of the Netherlands
downgraded Utrecht University to an école secondaire (high school), but after the establishment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
in 1813 it regained its original status. Leiden, Groningen and Utrecht were the three universities of the new state, and Leiden received the title of eerste hoge school ("first university"). Utrecht played a prominent role in the golden age of Dutch science. Around 1850 the "Utrechtian School" of science was formed with Pieter Harting
, Gerardus J. Mulder, Christophorus H. D. Buys Ballot and Franciscus C. Donders among the leading scientists. They introduced the educational laboratory as a practical learning place for their students. The University is represented in the Stichting Academisch Erfgoed
, a foundation with the goal of preserving university collections.
There are three interfaculty units:
The two large faculties of Humanities
and Law
are situated in the inner city of Utrecht. The other five faculties and most of the administrative services are located in De Uithof
, a campus
area on the outskirts of the city. University College is situated in the former Kromhout Kazerne, which used to be a Dutch military base.
standards more than any other factor. In 2009, 92% of surveyed students said that "Utrecht University has an excellent reputation" against 72% only in 2007. The collaboration between students and academic staff, the excellence in Research and the curriculum played a strong role in the decision to apply for 48% of prospective students against 7% in 2007. Compared to previous surveys, the reputation is of growing importance for the choice of the study programme as opposed to the attractiveness of the city.
In September 2007, Utrecht University proposed:
In this regard, Utrecht proposes the widest range of English-taught programmes in the Netherlands. Finally, Utrecht reinforces its international status each year. In 2007, the university welcomed 1900 international students from 125 different countries (6.5% of the total student population).
Utrecht University counts a number of distinguished scholars among its alumni and faculty, including several Nobel Prize
laureates:
list, the University of Utrecht was ranked 48th in the world and the highest in the Netherlands. It was among the top 50 universities for six consecutive years starting from 2003. In the 2011 QS World University Rankings
, Utrecht was ranked 80th.
In 2010 QS World University Rankings
ranked Utrecht University 83rd in the world.
On the 2009 THE–QS World University Rankings, the University of Utrecht was among the top 150 universities for the sixth consecutive year, and among the top 100 universities for the fourth consecutive year.
Human Resources & Labor Review, a human competitiveness index & analysis published in Chasecareer Network, ranked the university 50th internationally in 2010 as one of 300 Best World Universities.
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
in Utrecht
Utrecht (city)
Utrecht city and municipality is the capital and most populous city of the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is located in the eastern corner of the Randstad conurbation, and is the fourth largest city of the Netherlands with a population of 312,634 on 1 Jan 2011.Utrecht's ancient city centre features...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. It is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands and one of the largest in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Established March 26, 1636, it had an enrollment of 29,082 students in 2008, and employed 8,614 faculty and staff, 570 of which are full professors. In 2004, 358 Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
degrees were awarded and 7,010 scientific articles were published. The 2008 budget of the university was €715 million.
The university is rated as the best university in the Netherlands by both the Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2011
Times Higher Education World University Rankings
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings is an international ranking of universities published by the British magazine Times Higher Education in partnership with Thomson Reuters, which provided citation database information...
and the Shanghai Ranking of World Universities 2011
Academic 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...
, and ranked as the 18th best European university and 68th best university of the world by the former ranking and 12th best European university and 48th best of the world by the latter.
The university's motto is "Sol Iustitiae Illustra Nos," which means "Sun of Justice, shine upon us." This motto was gleaned from a literal Latin bible translation of Malachi 3:20. Utrecht University is led by the University Board, consisting of Yvonne van Rooy
Yvonne van Rooy
Yvonne Catharina Maria Theresia van Rooy is a Dutch politician.In September 1997, Yvonne left politics to become chairman of the board of directors of the Catholic University Brabant . She remained here until finally, in 2004, she became Utrecht University's chairman of the board.-References:...
(President), prof.dr. Bert van der Zwaan (Rector Magnificus) and Hans Amman.
History
- This section incorporates text translated from the Dutch Wikipedia article
Utrecht University was founded on March 26, 1636. The inaugural speech was given by influential professor of theology Gisbertus Voetius
Gisbertus Voetius
Gisbertus Voetius was a Dutch Calvinist theologian.-Life:...
, and Bernardus Schotanus (professor of law and mathematics) was the university's first rector magnificus. Initially, only a few dozen students attended classes at the university. Seven professors worked in four departments: philosophy, which offered all students an introductory education, and three higher-level departments (theology, medicine and law).
Utrecht University flourished in the seventeenth century, despite competition with the older universities of Leiden
Leiden University
Leiden University , located in the city of Leiden, is the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university was founded in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt in the Eighty Years' War. The royal Dutch House of Orange-Nassau and Leiden University still have a close...
(1575), Franeker
University of Franeker
The University of Franeker was a university in Franeker, Friesland, presently part of the Netherlands. It was the second oldest university of the Netherlands, founded shortly after Leiden University....
(1585) and Groningen
University of Groningen
The University of Groningen , located in the city of Groningen, was founded in 1614. It is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands as well as one of its largest. Since its inception more than 100,000 students have graduated...
(1614) and the schools of Harderwijk
Harderwijk
' is a municipality and a small city in the eastern Netherlands.- The history of Harderwijk :Harderwijk received city rights from Count Otto II of Guelders in 1231. A defensive wall surrounding the city was completed by the end of that century. The oldest part of the city is near where the...
(1599; a university since 1648) and Amsterdam (1632). Leiden, in particular, was a strong competitor and made further improvement necessary. A botanical garden
Botanical garden
A botanical garden The terms botanic and botanical, and garden or gardens are used more-or-less interchangeably, although the word botanic is generally reserved for the earlier, more traditional gardens. is a well-tended area displaying a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical names...
was built on the grounds of the present Sonnenborgh Observatory
Sonnenborgh Observatory
Sonnenborgh - museum & observatory in Utrecht is a public astronomical observatory and museum open to the public. It is located in Utrecht, Netherlands. The university observatory was founded in 1853 and from 1854 until 1897 it was the first home of the Royal Dutch Meteorological...
, and three years later the Smeetoren added an astronomical observatory. The university attracted many students from abroad (especially Germany, England and Scotland). They witnessed the intellectual and theological battle the proponents of the new philosophy (René Descartes
René Descartes
René Descartes ; was a French philosopher and writer who spent most of his adult life in the Dutch Republic. He has been dubbed the 'Father of Modern Philosophy', and much subsequent Western philosophy is a response to his writings, which are studied closely to this day...
lived for a few years in Utrecht) fought with the proponents of the strict Reformed
Reformed churches
The Reformed churches are a group of Protestant denominations characterized by Calvinist doctrines. They are descended from the Swiss Reformation inaugurated by Huldrych Zwingli but developed more coherently by Martin Bucer, Heinrich Bullinger and especially John Calvin...
theologian Voetius.
In 1806, the French occupants of the Netherlands
Kingdom of Holland
The Kingdom of Holland 1806–1810 was set up by Napoleon Bonaparte as a puppet kingdom for his third brother, Louis Bonaparte, in order to better control the Netherlands. The name of the leading province, Holland, was now taken for the whole country...
downgraded Utrecht University to an école secondaire (high school), but after the establishment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Kingdom of the Netherlands
The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a sovereign state and constitutional monarchy with territory in Western Europe and in the Caribbean. The four parts of the Kingdom—Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands, and Sint Maarten—are referred to as "countries", and participate on a basis of equality...
in 1813 it regained its original status. Leiden, Groningen and Utrecht were the three universities of the new state, and Leiden received the title of eerste hoge school ("first university"). Utrecht played a prominent role in the golden age of Dutch science. Around 1850 the "Utrechtian School" of science was formed with Pieter Harting
Pieter Harting
Pieter Harting was a Dutch biologist and naturalist, born in Rotterdam. He made contributions in a number of scientific disciplines, and is remembered for his work in the fields of microscopy, hydrology, botany, and biostratigraphy.In 1835 he obtained his medical degree from the University of...
, Gerardus J. Mulder, Christophorus H. D. Buys Ballot and Franciscus C. Donders among the leading scientists. They introduced the educational laboratory as a practical learning place for their students. The University is represented in the Stichting Academisch Erfgoed
Stichting Academisch Erfgoed
Stichting Academisch Erfgoed is a Dutch organisation established in 1997 to maintain the university collectives and cultural treasures of the universities it represents.-Members:* Leiden University* University of Groningen* Utrecht University...
, a foundation with the goal of preserving university collections.
Description
The university consists of seven faculties:- Faculty of HumanitiesHumanitiesThe humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences....
- Department of Arts & Languages
- Department of TheologyTheologyTheology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
- Department of PhilosophyPhilosophyPhilosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
- Faculty of SocialSocial sciencesSocial science is the field of study concerned with society. "Social science" is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences usually exclusive of the administrative or managerial sciences...
and Behavioural SciencesBehavioural sciencesThe term behavioural sciences encompasses all the disciplines that explore the activities of and interactions among organisms in the natural world. It involves the systematic analysis and investigation of human and animal behaviour through controlled and naturalistic observation, and disciplined... - Faculty of LawLawLaw is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
, EconomicsEconomicsEconomics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
and GovernanceGovernanceGovernance is the act of governing. It relates to decisions that define expectations, grant power, or verify performance. It consists of either a separate process or part of management or leadership processes...
http://www.uu.nl/faculty/leg/en/pages/default.aspx- Utrecht University School of Economics (USE)
- Utrecht University School of Law
- Utrecht University School of Governance (USG)
- Faculty of Geosciences
- Department of Earth Sciences
- Department of Physical GeographyPhysical geographyPhysical geography is one of the two major subfields of geography. Physical geography is that branch of natural science which deals with the study of processes and patterns in the natural environment like the atmosphere, biosphere and geosphere, as opposed to the cultural or built environment, the...
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Innovation Studies
- Department of Human GeographyHuman geographyHuman geography is one of the two major sub-fields of the discipline of geography. Human geography is the study of the world, its people, communities, and cultures. Human geography differs from physical geography mainly in that it has a greater focus on studying human activities and is more...
and Urban PlanningUrban planningUrban planning incorporates areas such as economics, design, ecology, sociology, geography, law, political science, and statistics to guide and ensure the orderly development of settlements and communities....
- Faculty of MedicineMedicineMedicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineVeterinary medicineVeterinary Medicine is the branch of science that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, disorder and injury in non-human animals...
- Faculty of ScienceScienceScience is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
- Department of BiologyBiologyBiology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
- Department of ChemistryChemistryChemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
- Department of InformationInformation science-Introduction:Information science is an interdisciplinary science primarily concerned with the analysis, collection, classification, manipulation, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information...
and Computing SciencesComputer scienceComputer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems... - Department of MathematicsMathematicsMathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Department of PhysicsPhysicsPhysics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
and AstronomyAstronomyAstronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
- Department of Biology
There are three interfaculty units:
- University CollegeUniversity College UtrechtUniversity College Utrecht is an international Honors College of Utrecht University . UCU is a selective liberal arts, undergraduate college of 700 students within Utrecht University. Located between the two UU sites, Uithof and City Center, it has its own residential campus in the city of...
/ Roosevelt AcademyRoosevelt AcademyRoosevelt Academy is a small liberal arts college located in Middelburg in the Netherlands. It offers a residential setting and is an international honors college of Utrecht University.-History:... - Ethics Institute
- IVLOS Institute of Education
The two large faculties of Humanities
Humanities
The humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences....
and Law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
are situated in the inner city of Utrecht. The other five faculties and most of the administrative services are located in De Uithof
Uithof
De Uithof is the campus area of the Utrecht University and the University of Professional Education Utrecht. It is located on the east of Utrecht, near the Galgenwaard Stadium of FC Utrecht. Except for the faculties of Law, Humanities, and University College, which are located in the inner city of...
, a campus
Campus
A campus is traditionally the land on which a college or university and related institutional buildings are situated. Usually a campus includes libraries, lecture halls, residence halls and park-like settings...
area on the outskirts of the city. University College is situated in the former Kromhout Kazerne, which used to be a Dutch military base.
Specificity
If the old city of Utrecht offers both medieval and contemporary surroundings, the reputation of the university is a growing factor in the decision of its students to enrol. Indeed, prospective students consider the academic excellence of the teaching and the highest ResearchResearch
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
standards more than any other factor. In 2009, 92% of surveyed students said that "Utrecht University has an excellent reputation" against 72% only in 2007. The collaboration between students and academic staff, the excellence in Research and the curriculum played a strong role in the decision to apply for 48% of prospective students against 7% in 2007. Compared to previous surveys, the reputation is of growing importance for the choice of the study programme as opposed to the attractiveness of the city.
In September 2007, Utrecht University proposed:
- 46 undergraduate programmes (bachelorBachelorA bachelor is a man above the age of majority who has never been married . Unlike his female counterpart, the spinster, a bachelor may have had children...
), three of which are taught in English (Utrecht University School of Economics, University College UtrechtUniversity College UtrechtUniversity College Utrecht is an international Honors College of Utrecht University . UCU is a selective liberal arts, undergraduate college of 700 students within Utrecht University. Located between the two UU sites, Uithof and City Center, it has its own residential campus in the city of...
and Roosevelt AcademyRoosevelt AcademyRoosevelt Academy is a small liberal arts college located in Middelburg in the Netherlands. It offers a residential setting and is an international honors college of Utrecht University.-History:...
). - 196 graduate programmes (masterMaster's degreeA master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
), of which 89 are taught in English. - Training programs for teachers (taught in Dutch and English).
In this regard, Utrecht proposes the widest range of English-taught programmes in the Netherlands. Finally, Utrecht reinforces its international status each year. In 2007, the university welcomed 1900 international students from 125 different countries (6.5% of the total student population).
Notable alumni and faculty
Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
laureates:
- Wim Aantjes (politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
) - C.H.D. Buys BallotC.H.D. Buys BallotChristophorus Henricus Diedericus Buys Ballot was a Dutch chemist and meteorologist after whom Buys Ballot's law and the Buys Ballot table are named.-Biography:...
(meteorologist) - Clarence BarlowClarence BarlowClarence Barlow is a composer of classical and electroacoustic works.-Biography:Barlow was born in Calcutta, a member of the anglophone minority, of British and Portuguese descent...
(composerComposerA composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
) - Nicolaas BloembergenNicolaas BloembergenNicolaas Bloembergen is a Dutch-American physicist and Nobel laureate.He received his Ph.D. degree from University of Leiden in 1948; while pursuing his PhD at Harvard, Bloembergen also worked part-time as a graduate research assistant for Edward Mills Purcell at the MIT Radiation Laboratory...
(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...
, Nobel Prize laureate) - Arend Jan BoekestijnArend Jan BoekestijnArend Jan Boekestijn is a Dutch politician, who was a member of the Dutch House of Representatives from 30 November 2006 through 18 November 2009. He resigned after sharing information with the press regarding a confidential conversation with the Queen....
(HistorianHistorianA historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
, PoliticianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
) - Els BorstEls BorstElse Borst-Eilers is a former Dutch Politician, she led D66 in the 1998 election campaign and served as Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport for eight years, and the last four as Deputy Prime Minister. Before entering politics she had a career in medicine.-Education and Academic Career:Borst...
(former Dutch minister of Health) - James BoswellJames BoswellJames Boswell, 9th Laird of Auchinleck was a lawyer, diarist, and author born in Edinburgh, Scotland; he is best known for the biography he wrote of one of his contemporaries, the English literary figure Samuel Johnson....
(authorAuthorAn author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, lawyerLawyerA lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
) - Pieter Burmann the YoungerPieter Burmann the YoungerPieter Burman , called by himself the Younger to distinguish himself from his uncle, was a Dutch philologist, born at Amsterdam....
(philologist) - Michael ClyneMichael ClyneMichael George Clyne, AM, FAHA, FASSA was an Australian linguist, academic and intellectual. He was a scholar in various fields of linguistics, including sociolinguistics, pragmatics, bilingualism and multilingualism, second language learning, contact linguistics and intercultural communication...
(linguist) - David Dalrymple, Lord HailesDavid Dalrymple, Lord HailesSir David Dalrymple, 3rd Baronet, Lord Hailes was a Scottish advocate, judge and historian, born in Edinburgh.-Family:...
, (authorAuthorAn author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, lawyerLawyerA lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
) - Peter DebyePeter DebyePeter Joseph William Debye FRS was a Dutch physicist and physical chemist, and Nobel laureate in Chemistry.-Early life:...
(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...
, Nobel Prize laureate) - René DescartesRené DescartesRené Descartes ; was a French philosopher and writer who spent most of his adult life in the Dutch Republic. He has been dubbed the 'Father of Modern Philosophy', and much subsequent Western philosophy is a response to his writings, which are studied closely to this day...
(philosopher, mathematicianMathematicianA mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
) - Christiaan EijkmanChristiaan EijkmanChristiaan Eijkman was a Dutch physician and professor of physiology whose demonstration that beriberi is caused by poor diet led to the discovery of vitamins...
(physicianPhysicianA physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, pathologist, Nobel Prize laureate) - Willem EinthovenWillem EinthovenWillem Einthoven was a Dutch doctor and physiologist. He invented the first practical electrocardiogram in 1903 and received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1924 for it....
(physicianPhysicianA physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, 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...
, Nobel Prize laureate) - Johann Georg GraeviusJohann Georg GraeviusJohann Georg Graevius was a German classical scholar and critic. He was born at Naumburg....
(scholar) - Louis GrondijsLouis GrondijsLodewijk Hermen Grondijs was a Dutch war correspondent and byzantinist.Grondijs was born in the Dutch East-Indies, now known as Indonesia, and via his mother was one eighth Indonesian. He spent most of his youth in the East Indies and graduated in 1896 from grammar school in Surabaya...
(Byzantologist, war correspondentWar correspondentA war correspondent is a journalist who covers stories firsthand from a war zone. In the 19th century they were also called Special Correspondents.-Methods:...
) - Gerardus 't HooftGerardus 't HooftGerardus 't Hooft is a Dutch theoretical physicist and professor at Utrecht University, the Netherlands. He shared the 1999 Nobel Prize in Physics with his thesis advisor Martinus J. G...
(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...
, Nobel Prize laureate) - J. H. van 't Hoff (chemistChemistA chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
, Nobel Prize laureate) - Jacobus KapteynJacobus KapteynJacobus Cornelius Kapteyn, was a Dutch astronomer, best known for his extensive studies of the Milky Way and as the first discoverer of evidence for galactic rotation....
(astronomerAstronomerAn astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
) - Tjalling Charles KoopmansTjalling KoopmansTjalling Charles Koopmans was the joint winner, with Leonid Kantorovich, of the 1975 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences....
(mathematicianMathematicianA mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
, 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...
, economistEconomistAn economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
, Nobel Prize laureate) - Arie A. KruithofArie Andries KruithofArie Andries Kruithof was a Dutch professor of applied physics at Eindhoven University of Technology ....
, developed the Kruithof curveKruithof curveNamed after the Dutch physicist Arie Andries Kruithof, the Kruithof curve relates the illuminance and colour temperature of visually pleasing light sources...
, describing the influence of colour temperature on visual perception - Jan van LeeuwenJan van LeeuwenJan van Leeuwen is a Dutch computer scientist, a professor at the Department of Information and Computing Sciences at the Utrecht University....
(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....
) - Aristid LindenmayerAristid LindenmayerAristid Lindenmayer was a Hungarian biologist. In 1968 he developed a formal language that is today called L-systems or Lindenmayer Systems. Using those systems Lindenmayer modelled the behaviour of cells of plants...
(biologistBiologistA biologist is a scientist devoted to and producing results in biology through the study of life. Typically biologists study organisms and their relationship to their environment. Biologists involved in basic research attempt to discover underlying mechanisms that govern how organisms work...
) - Jack van LintJack van LintJacobus Hendricus van Lint was a Dutch mathematician, professor at the Eindhoven University of Technology, of which he was rector magnificus from 1991 till 1996....
(mathematicianMathematicianA mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
) - Renate LollRenate LollRenate Loll is a physicist who works at the , The Netherlands. She received her Ph.D. from , London, in 1989. In 2001 she joined the permanent staff of the ITP, after spending several years at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics in Golm, Germany...
(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...
) - Rudolf MagnusRudolf MagnusRudolf Magnus was a German pharmacologist and physiologist. He studied medicine, specialising in pharmacology, in Heidelberg, where he became associate professor of pharmacology in 1904. In 1908 he became the first professor of pharmacology in Utrecht, where he spent the rest of his working life...
(pharmacologist and physiologist) - Maung MaungMaung MaungDr. Maung Maung was the 7th President of Union of Myanmar, and a well-known writer.-Biography:Maung Maung was the son of lawyer U Sint and his wife Daw Aye Tin. He graduated from BTN High School. He attended the fourth intake of the Defence Services Academy. In 1946, he received the degree of...
, (7th President of BurmaPresident of BurmaThe President of Burma is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and leads the executive branch of the Burmese government, and heads the Cabinet of Burma. The president is elected by members of parliament, not by the general population. The Presidential...
) - Erik MeijerErik Meijer (computer scientist)Erik Meijer is a Dutch computer scientist who is currently a software architect for Microsoft SQL Server, Visual Studio and the .NET Framework. At Microsoft he heads the Cloud Programmability Team....
(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....
) - Marcel MinnaertMarcel MinnaertMarcel Gilles Jozef Minnaert was a Belgian astronomer.He obtained a PhD in biology at Ghent University in 1914....
(astronomerAstronomerAn astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
) - Heiko ObermanHeiko ObermanHeiko Augustinus Oberman was a historian and theologian who specialized in the study of the Reformation.-Life:...
(historianHistorianA historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
) - Mark OvermarsMark OvermarsMarkus Hendrik Overmars is a Dutch computer scientist and teacher of game programming known for his game development application Game Maker. Game Maker lets people create computer games using a drag-and-drop interface. He is the head of the Center for Geometry, Imaging, and Virtual Environments...
(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....
) - Abraham PaisAbraham PaisAbraham Pais was a Dutch-born American physicist and science historian. Pais earned his Ph.D. from University of Utrecht just prior to a Nazi ban on Jewish participation in Dutch universities during World War II...
(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...
, science historian) - PerizoniusPerizoniusPerizonius was the name of Jakob Voorbroek , a Dutch classical scholar, who was born at Appingedam in Groningen....
(scholar) - Maarten van RossemMaarten van RossemMaarten van Rossem is a Dutch historian. He specializes in the history and politics of the United States. As an America expert he is a frequent guest on television talk shows....
(historianHistorianA historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
) - Wilhelm Röntgen (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...
, Nobel Prize laureate) - Lavoslav RuzickaLavoslav RužickaLavoslav Ružička FRS born as Lavoslav Ružička was a Croatian scientist and winner of the 1939 Nobel Prize in Chemistry who worked most of his life in Switzerland...
(chemistChemistA chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
, Nobel Prize laureate) - Johann Jakob ScheuchzerJohann Jakob ScheuchzerJohann Jakob Scheuchzer was a Swiss scholar born at Zürich.thumb|Herbarium deluvianumthumb|Zürich, Zwingli-Platz : Former home of Konrad von Mure and the house, where Johann Jakob Scheuchzer was bornthumb|Memorial plate-Career:The son of the senior town physician of Zürich, he received his...
(physicianPhysicianA physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, scientistScientistA scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
) - Jan Hendrik ScholtenJan Hendrik ScholtenJan Hendrik Scholten , Dutch Protestant theologian, was born at Vleuten near Utrecht.After studying at Utrecht University, he was appointed professor of theology at Franeker. From Franeker in 1843 he went to Leiden as professor extraordinarius, and in 1845 was promoted to the rank of ordinarius...
(theologianTheologyTheology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
) - Boudewijn SirksBoudewijn SirksAdriaan Johan Boudewijn Sirks , known as Boudewijn Sirks and as A. J. B. Sirks, is a Dutch academic lawyer and papyrologist specializing in Roman law...
(Roman lawRoman lawRoman law is the legal system of ancient Rome, and the legal developments which occurred before the 7th century AD — when the Roman–Byzantine state adopted Greek as the language of government. The development of Roman law comprises more than a thousand years of jurisprudence — from the Twelve...
specialist) - J. SlauerhoffJ. SlauerhoffJan Jacob Slauerhoff, who published as J. Slauerhoff, was a Dutch poet and novelist. He is considered one of the most important Dutch language writers.-Youth:...
(poetPoetA poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, novelist) worked as an assistant at the University's clinic for DermatologyDermatologyDermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails....
and Venereal Diseases from 1929-1930. - Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of SunderlandCharles Spencer, 3rd Earl of SunderlandSir Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland KG PC , known as Lord Spencer from 1688 to 1702, was an English statesman...
(statesmanStatesmanA statesman is usually a politician or other notable public figure who has had a long and respected career in politics or government at the national and international level. As a term of respect, it is usually left to supporters or commentators to use the term...
) - Jan Jakob Lodewijk ten KateJan Jakob Lodewijk ten KateJan Jakob Lodewijk ten Kate , Dutch divine, prose writer and poet, was born at The Hague.He started in life as a lawyer's clerk...
(poetPoetA poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
) - Jan TerlouwJan TerlouwJan Cornelis Terlouw is a Dutch scientist, politician, and author.- Background :Jan Terlouw was born in Kamperveen, Overijssel. He was the eldest son in his family, he has two brothers and two sisters and grew up in the Veluwe...
(politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, novelist) - Gerard VerschuurenGerard VerschuurenGerard M. Verschuuren is a writer, speaker, and consultant, working at the interface of science, philosophy, and religion. He is a human geneticist who also earned a doctorate in the philosophy of science, and studied and worked at universities in Europe and the United States...
from the former Institute of Human Biology - Martinus J.G. Veltman (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...
, Nobel Prize laureate) - Frans de WaalFrans de WaalFransiscus Bernardus Maria de Waal, PhD , is a Dutch primatologist and ethologist. He is the Charles Howard Candler professor of Primate Behavior in the Emory University psychology department in Atlanta, Georgia, and director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Research...
(zoologistZoologyZoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
and ethologistEthologyEthology is the scientific study of animal behavior, and a sub-topic of zoology....
) - Hugh WilliamsonHugh WilliamsonHugh Williamson was an American politician. He is best known for representing North Carolina at the Constitutional Convention.Williamson was a scholar of international renown...
(politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
) - Lulzim BashaLulzim BashaLulzim Xhelal Basha is an Albanian politician.In 2005, Basha was appointed Minister of Public Works, Transport and Telecommunications in the government of Sali Berisha where he served for two years...
(Minister of Foreign Affairs, Albania)
International rankings
On the 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...
list, the University of Utrecht was ranked 48th in the world and the highest in the Netherlands. It was among the top 50 universities for six consecutive years starting from 2003. In the 2011 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....
, Utrecht was ranked 80th.
| Year | Rank (Change) |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 40 |
| 2004 | 39 ( 1) |
| 2005 | 39 |
| 2006 | 40 ( 1) |
| 2007 | 42 ( 2) |
| 2008 | 47 ( 5) |
| 2009 | 52 ( 5) |
| 2010 | 50 ( 2) |
| 2011 | 48 ( 2) |
In 2010 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....
ranked Utrecht University 83rd in the world.
On the 2009 THE–QS World University Rankings, the University of Utrecht was among the top 150 universities for the sixth consecutive year, and among the top 100 universities for the fourth consecutive year.
| Year | Rank (Change) |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 120 |
| 2005 | 120 |
| 2006 | 95 ( 25) |
| 2007 | 89 ( 6) |
| 2008 | 67 ( 22) |
| 2009 | 70 ( 3) |
Human Resources & Labor Review, a human competitiveness index & analysis published in Chasecareer Network, ranked the university 50th internationally in 2010 as one of 300 Best World Universities.
See also
- List of early modern universities in Europe
- Roosevelt AcademyRoosevelt AcademyRoosevelt Academy is a small liberal arts college located in Middelburg in the Netherlands. It offers a residential setting and is an international honors college of Utrecht University.-History:...
International Honors College of Utrecht University located in MiddelburgMiddelburgMiddelburg is a municipality and a city in the south-western Netherlands and the capital of the province of Zeeland. It is situated in the Midden-Zeeland region. It has a population of about 48,000.- History of Middelburg :...
, ZeelandZeelandZeeland , also called Zealand in English, is the westernmost province of the Netherlands. The province, located in the south-west of the country, consists of a number of islands and a strip bordering Belgium. Its capital is Middelburg. With a population of about 380,000, its area is about... - University College UtrechtUniversity College UtrechtUniversity College Utrecht is an international Honors College of Utrecht University . UCU is a selective liberal arts, undergraduate college of 700 students within Utrecht University. Located between the two UU sites, Uithof and City Center, it has its own residential campus in the city of...
International Honors College of Utrecht University located in UtrechtUtrecht (city)Utrecht city and municipality is the capital and most populous city of the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is located in the eastern corner of the Randstad conurbation, and is the fourth largest city of the Netherlands with a population of 312,634 on 1 Jan 2011.Utrecht's ancient city centre features... - Utrecht NetworkUtrecht NetworkThe Utrecht Network is a network of European universities. The network promotes the internationalisation of tertiary education through summer schools, student and staff exchanges and joint degrees.- Utrecht Network member universities :...
- Utrecht School of the ArtsUtrecht School of the ArtsThe Utrecht School of the Arts is a performing arts and visual arts educational institution in Utrecht, Netherlands. The institution has 570 teachers and staff members...
- Utrecht Summer SchoolUtrecht Summer SchoolThe Utrecht Summer School, founded in 1987 by Utrecht University, is the largest academic summer programme in The Netherlands and belongs to the biggest summer schools in Europe. In 2010 more than 1800 students from over 75 different countries came to Utrecht to participate in one of 100 courses...
- Utrecht University of Applied Sciences (HU - Hogeschool Utrecht)
- Utrecht School of Law Clinical Programme on Conflict, Human Rights and International JusticeUtrecht School of Law Clinical Programme on Conflict, Human Rights and International JusticeThe ' was launched in September 2009. The Clinical Programme provides pro bono legal services to Hague-based judicial institutions, as well as to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, while preparing students for future careers in international law by providing them with the necessary skills...
- Codex BoreelianusCodex BoreelianusCodex Boreelianus, Codex Boreelianus Rheno-Trajectinus , designated by Fe or 09 in the Gregory-Aland numbering and ε 86 in von Soden numbering, is a 9th century uncial manuscript of the four Gospels in Greek. The manuscript, written on parchment, is full of lacunae , many of which arose between...
- Open Access Scholarly Publishers AssociationOpen Access Scholarly Publishers AssociationThe Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association is an industry association which aims to promote open access publishing and to establish best practices in the field...
, of which Utrecht University Library is a founding member
External links
- Utrecht University homepage
- UCU International Honors College of Utrecht University
- Roosevelt Academy
- USS The official Utrecht University Summer School
- Catalogus Professorum Academiae Rheno-Traiectinae - Catalogue listing all professors who have held chairs at Utrecht University