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Thursday, May 7, 2009

University of Geneva

Université de Genève

Latin: Schola Genevensis
Established: 1559
Type: Public university
Rector: Prof. Jean-Dominique Vassalli
Students: 13,364
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
46°11′56″N 6°08′40″E / 46.19889°N 6.14449°E / 46.19889; 6.14449Coordinates: 46°11′56″N 6°08′40″E / 46.19889°N 6.14449°E / 46.19889; 6.14449
Affiliations: Coimbra Group
LERU
EUA
Website: www.unige.ch

The University of Geneva (French: Université de Genève) is a university in Geneva, Switzerland.

Founded by John Calvin in 1559 as a theological seminary that also taught law, it remained focused on theology until the 17th century, when it became a center for Enlightenment scholarship. In 1873 it dropped its religious affiliations and became officially secular. Today, the university is the second-largest university in Switzerland. It has programs in many fields but is especially noted for its programs in international relations (with Geneva being a center for many international organizations), law, scientific research (with a record of notable discoveries in planetary science and genetics) and theology .

Classes are taught mainly in French. The university pursues three missions: teaching, research, and service to the community. It was ranked number one generalist university in continental Europe and thirty-second world wide among the "Top 100 Global Universities" by Newsweek in 2006. The university is a member of the League of European Research Universities.

In 2009, the University of Geneva is celebrating the 450th anniversary of its birth, through a wide range of public events

Degree system


University of Geneva

Before 2005, the University applied the French education model of granting academic degrees, with some minor differences: demi-licence (two years), licence (four years), diplôme d'études approfondies and diplôme d'études superieures spécialisées (DEA/DESS) (1-2 years), and doctorate (3-5 years). The University now follows the requirements of the Bologna process: bachelor's (three years), master's (1-2 years), Master of Advanced Studies (1-2 years), doctorate (3-5 years).

Organization

The university is composed of eight faculties:

  • Faculty of Sciences (natural sciences)
  • Faculty of Medicine (medical school)
  • Faculty of Arts (arts)
  • Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences and Hautes École Commerciale (HEC) department (social sciences including economics; business school)
  • Faculty of Law (Geneva Law School) (law school)
  • Faculty of Protestant Theology (Protestant theological school)
  • Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences (psychology and education)
  • School of Translation and Interpretation (translating and interpreting)

The university has also developed a continuing education programme. The university has a partnership with the nearby Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and the Bossey Ecumenical Institute, and students at the university may take courses at these institutes.

Inter-faculty centers:

  • Institute for Reformation History (the Reformation)
  • Computer Science Department (computer science)
  • University Centre of Human Ecology and Environmental Sciences (human ecology, environmental science)
  • University Centre for Study of Energy Problems (energy policy)
  • The European Institute of the University of Geneva (European studies, European integration)
  • Interfaculty Center of Gerontology (gerontology)
  • Swiss Center for Affective Sciences (affective science)
  • Center for environmental Studies

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