International University Bremen
Encyclopedia
Jacobs University Bremen (previously International University Bremen, IUB) is a highly selective, top-ranked, private, independent research university in Bremen
, Germany.
Jacobs University is an English-speaking higher education institution. Jacobs University combines aspects from the American and German academic systems to form an environment with a "transdisciplinary" approach between diverse disciplines and subject areas.
Jacobs University was founded in 1999 as the 'International University Bremen (IUB)' but changed its name early in 2007 in recognition of the philanthropist Klaus Johann Jacobs
, whose donation allowed IUB to avoid bankruptcy.
The university developed from an initial collaboration between the local government of the city-state of Bremen
, the University of Bremen
and Rice University
, USA.
On November 1, 2006 the current President, Joachim Treusch, announced a donation to university by the Jacobs Foundation of 15 million €
per year during the following 5 years. It is the biggest private donation ever made to a German university. The Jacobs Foundation plans to make another donation of 125 million € in 2011. This donation is conditional on the university's achievements up to this point. In 2010, President Treusch announced that the lump sum was to be split in smaller installments totaling up to 75 million € which are to be donated to the university in decreasing yearly installments up to 2017.
Jacobs University has been certified as a family-friendly institution by the Hertie Foundation since 2005 for introducing measures for university members with family obligations.
In 2008, Jacobs University Bremen was the focus of a five-part television series produced by Deutsche Welle titled "Leaders of Tomorrow."
The university is accredited locally by the City-State of Bremen and nationally by the Academic Council of the Federal Republic of Germany (Wissenschaftsrat
). The undergraduate major courses are accredited by ACQUIN, a German higher education accreditation agency.
That way, Jacobs University Bremen wishes to contribute to solutions for the major challenges of the 21st century world.
or an Executive MBA.
BSc Majors in the School of Engineering and Sciences:
To achieve "transdisciplinarity", students complete additional courses from their School (but that do not stem from their Major), from the other School, and courses that are typically taught by one instructor from each school presenting a common topic (so-called University Studies Courses).
PhD programs organized by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) or the Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences (BIGSSS), the joint Excellence Initiative funded by the German Research Council (DFG) between Jacobs University and the University of Bremen:
MSc programme organized by the Jacobs Center for Lifelong Learning and Institutional Development:
PhD programme organized by the Jacobs Center for Lifelong Learning and Institutional Development:
PhD programs organized by Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences (BIGSSS):
Additional graduate programs (2-year MSc followed by a 3-year PhD) are organized by the School of Engineering and Sciences (SES), where continuation to the PhD is conditional on the successful completion of the MSc and acceptance by a PhD supervisor. The first two years are often funded by a stipend directly from Jacobs University, and the following three years are supported by research grants. An integrated PhD program also exists that includes a four year programs including obligatory courses.
The following graduate programs exist:
Most of these programs provide funded places and stipends. At Jacobs University, the convention is for PhD students to meet members of their examination committee early and submit yearly reports to assess their progress. Often an alternative academic advisor is appointed in addition to the PhD Supervisor.
, Washington State University
, Carnegie Mellon University
in the USA, Sciences Po in France, Lafayette College
in the USA, Thammasat University
in Thailand, Università degli Studi di Cagliari and Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" in Italy, and more recently with the University of Aberdeen
in Scotland and Instituto de Empresa in Spain.
university. The campus grounds and buildings were developed from the former grounds of the Roland Barracks in Bremen-Grohn
.
Today the campus is composed of 30-hectare park-like grounds including student housing in colleges, the university’s teaching, research, and administration buildings, including the Reimar Lüst Hall named after the founding chair, the Information Resource Center (IRC) – a library with extensive digital resources and future oriented information technology – apartments for visiting scientists as well as sports and other leisure facilities.
Each college is headed by a College Master, a professorial member of academic staff and their family, and each has its own kitchen, common room, and full-time support staff. Some colleges have associated members of faculty who are active in social and extracurricular events. PhD students or experienced staff and their families are appointed as Residence Associates (RAs) and serve a range of roles. Students may move out of their College into one of the off-campus residences, the Blue, Yellow, Red and Green Houses.
.
Bremen
The City Municipality of Bremen is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany. A commercial and industrial city with a major port on the river Weser, Bremen is part of the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan area . Bremen is the second most populous city in North Germany and tenth in Germany.Bremen is...
, Germany.
Jacobs University is an English-speaking higher education institution. Jacobs University combines aspects from the American and German academic systems to form an environment with a "transdisciplinary" approach between diverse disciplines and subject areas.
History and Accreditation
Klaus Johann Jacobs
Klaus Johann Jacobs was a German-born billionaire with a Swiss citizenship.-Biography:He was born on December 3, 1936 in Bremen, Germany. He attended the University of Hamburg and later Stanford University. He started his career in the global coffee and chocolates industries...
, whose donation allowed IUB to avoid bankruptcy.
The university developed from an initial collaboration between the local government of the city-state of Bremen
Bremen (state)
The Free Hanseatic City of Bremen is the smallest of Germany's 16 states. A more informal name, but used in some official contexts, is Land Bremen .-Geography:...
, the University of Bremen
University of Bremen
The University of Bremen is a university of approximately 23,500 people from 126 countries that are studying, teaching, researching, and working in Bremen, Germany...
and Rice University
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
, USA.
On November 1, 2006 the current President, Joachim Treusch, announced a donation to university by the Jacobs Foundation of 15 million €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
per year during the following 5 years. It is the biggest private donation ever made to a German university. The Jacobs Foundation plans to make another donation of 125 million € in 2011. This donation is conditional on the university's achievements up to this point. In 2010, President Treusch announced that the lump sum was to be split in smaller installments totaling up to 75 million € which are to be donated to the university in decreasing yearly installments up to 2017.
Jacobs University has been certified as a family-friendly institution by the Hertie Foundation since 2005 for introducing measures for university members with family obligations.
In 2008, Jacobs University Bremen was the focus of a five-part television series produced by Deutsche Welle titled "Leaders of Tomorrow."
The university is accredited locally by the City-State of Bremen and nationally by the Academic Council of the Federal Republic of Germany (Wissenschaftsrat
Wissenschaftsrat
The Wissenschaftsrat is an advisory body to the German Federal Government and the state governments. It makes recommendations on the development of science, research, and the universities, as well as on the competitiveness of German science...
). The undergraduate major courses are accredited by ACQUIN, a German higher education accreditation agency.
University Leadership
The President of Jacobs University is Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Joachim Treusch, who succeeded the University’s founding President Dr. Fritz Schaumann on July 1, 2006. Since January 2007 Prof. Dr. Karin Lochte, Director of the Director of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine, is Chair of the Board of Governors.Faculty and Student Body
There are currently 1290 students from 110 countries pursuing Bachelor’s, Master's, and PhD degrees. The students and the academic staff demographic are proportionally more international than at other German universities.Alumni
Jacobs University’s alumni association was founded in 2004 by the university’s pioneer graduating class. Since then, the number of Jacobs alumni has increased more than tenfold from 130 to over 1,500, about 80 % of which have joined the alumni association. To provide a legal framework for the alumni’s participation in shaping the university’s future, the Jacobs University Bremen Alumni & Friends GmbH was founded in 2008. Co-owned by the alumni association (99%) and the university (1 %), the company became one of Jacobs University’s three shareholders.Academic Profile
The university’s profile in research and teaching focuses on the general topics:- Energy
- Water, Nutrition, Health
- Information, Communication, Education
- Peace and Conflict Management
That way, Jacobs University Bremen wishes to contribute to solutions for the major challenges of the 21st century world.
Research
In January 2010 Jacobs University restructured its research forming nine transdisciplinary centers in which scientists from different fields work together. These centers approach the university’s general topics from different scientific angles.Teaching
Teaching at Jacobs University comprises two Schools that provide undergraduate programmes, and a Research Center:- School of EngineeringEngineeringEngineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
and ScienceScienceScience is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
(SES) - School 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....
and Social SciencesSocial 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...
(SHSS) - Jacobs Center for Lifelong Learning and Institutional Development (JCLL)
Degrees
Jacobs University’s offers study programs leading to a Bachelor’s degree in 3 years, a Master’s degree in 1.5 to 2 years, a Ph.D.Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
or an Executive MBA.
Ranking
Jacobs University is a small private university and offers fewer programs than traditional universities in Germany. Due to its young age and small size, it typically goes unranked in international comparisons. In the German CHE-Ranking of 2009, the university received high rankings in the subjects Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geosciences, and Mathematics; in particular in Biology and Geosciences it achieved top rank.http://www.jacobs-university.de/node/524 In the 2010 Die Zeit ranking, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering related programs of Jacobs University were highly rated with its programs comparing well with those offered at 9 technical universities, lagging only in third-party funding which can be attributed to the young age of the private institution. In 2011, Jacobs University was ranked 1st in Germany for political science and 2nd for sociologyUndergraduate courses (Majors)
BA Majors in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences:- Integrated SocialSocial psychologySocial psychology is the scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. By this definition, scientific refers to the empirical method of investigation. The terms thoughts, feelings, and behaviors include all...
and Cognitive PsychologyCognitive psychologyCognitive psychology is a subdiscipline of psychology exploring internal mental processes.It is the study of how people perceive, remember, think, speak, and solve problems.Cognitive psychology differs from previous psychological approaches in two key ways.... - Integrated Social Sciences
- Intercultural Relations and Behavior
- International Politics and History
- Integrated Cultural Studies (replaced Literature and New Media and History and Theory of Art and Literature in 2009)
- Global 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 ManagementManagementManagement in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively... - Integrated Environmental Studies
BSc Majors in the School of Engineering and Sciences:
- Applied and Computational Mathematics
- Biochemical EngineeringBiochemical engineeringBiochemical engineering is a branch of chemical engineering or biological engineering that mainly deals with the design and construction of unit processes that involve biological organisms or molecules, such as bioreactors...
- BiochemistryBiochemistryBiochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
and Cell BiologyCell biologyCell biology is a scientific discipline that studies cells – their physiological properties, their structure, the organelles they contain, interactions with their environment, their life cycle, division and death. This is done both on a microscopic and molecular level... - BioinformaticsBioinformaticsBioinformatics is the application of computer science and information technology to the field of biology and medicine. Bioinformatics deals with algorithms, databases and information systems, web technologies, artificial intelligence and soft computing, information and computation theory, software...
and Computational BiologyComputational biologyComputational biology involves the development and application of data-analytical and theoretical methods, mathematical modeling and computational simulation techniques to the study of biological, behavioral, and social systems... - 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...
and NeuroscienceNeuroscienceNeuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,... - 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....
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Electrical EngineeringElectrical engineeringElectrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. The field first became an identifiable occupation in the late nineteenth century after commercialization of the electric telegraph and electrical...
and Computer ScienceComputer 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... - Computer ScienceComputer 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...
- EarthEarth scienceEarth science is an all-embracing term for the sciences related to the planet Earth. It is arguably a special case in planetary science, the Earth being the only known life-bearing planet. There are both reductionist and holistic approaches to Earth sciences...
and Space ScienceSpace scienceThe term space science may mean:* The study of issues specifically related to space travel and space exploration, including space medicine.* Science performed in outer space ....
s - International LogisticsLogisticsLogistics is the management of the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of destination in order to meet the requirements of customers or corporations. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging, and...
Management and Engineering - 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...
- 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...
To achieve "transdisciplinarity", students complete additional courses from their School (but that do not stem from their Major), from the other School, and courses that are typically taught by one instructor from each school presenting a common topic (so-called University Studies Courses).
Masters and PhD programs
MA programmes organised by the School of Humanities and Social Science (SHSS) or the Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences (BIGSSS), the joint Excellence Initiative funded by the German Research Council (DFG) between Jacobs University and University of Bremen:- Global Visual Communication
- Intercultural Humanities
- International Relations
- Modern Global History
PhD programs organized by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) or the Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences (BIGSSS), the joint Excellence Initiative funded by the German Research Council (DFG) between Jacobs University and the University of Bremen:
- Decision Sciences
- Integrated Social Sciences
- Intercultural Humanities
- Visual Communication and Expertise (VisComX)
MSc programme organized by the Jacobs Center for Lifelong Learning and Institutional Development:
- Human Development, Lifelong Learning and Institutional Change
PhD programme organized by the Jacobs Center for Lifelong Learning and Institutional Development:
- Productive Adult Development
PhD programs organized by Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences (BIGSSS):
- Attitude Formation, Value Change and Intercultural Communication
- Global Integration
- Integration and Diversity in the new Europe
- Life-Course and Lifespan Dynamics
- Social Integration and the Welfare State
Additional graduate programs (2-year MSc followed by a 3-year PhD) are organized by the School of Engineering and Sciences (SES), where continuation to the PhD is conditional on the successful completion of the MSc and acceptance by a PhD supervisor. The first two years are often funded by a stipend directly from Jacobs University, and the following three years are supported by research grants. An integrated PhD program also exists that includes a four year programs including obligatory courses.
The following graduate programs exist:
- Astroparticle Physics - This program leads to a PhD and is intended for international students with an undergraduate education in physics or a closely related subject.
- Cognitive Systems and Processes - This transdisciplinary graduate program is linked to the Research Center with the same name. It has the main aim to study the generic processes in cognition as basis for artificial systems.
- Communication, Systems and Electronics
- Computer Science - Smart Systems
- Earth System Science Research School (ESSRES) coordinated by the Alfred Wegener Institute Bremerhaven and also in collaboration with the University of Bremen.
- Geosciences - Spurred by urgent scientific and social questions, ranging from environmental concerns to the origin and evolution of the planet, the geosciences are experiencing a remarkable growth and provide excellent career opportunities in a broad range of modern fields in the geosciences.
- International Logistics: Management and Engineering - Logistics is certainly one of the oldest disciplines, matching supply and demand if they are miles apart. It is a science involving investigation, research and development in order to provide excellence in knowledge.
- Mathematical Sciences - Offering pure, applied and computational mathematics and mathematical physics.
- Marine Microbiology (MarMic)- This is in collaboration with the International Max Planck Research School of Marine Microbiology and only for highly qualified and motivated students.
- Molecular Life Sciences (MoLife http://www.jacobs-university.de/molife-graduate-program/) - This new MSc and PhD program starting in 2008 replaces the previous Biological Recognition (BioRec) programme. MoLife offers the choice of two Specialisation Areas (SAs) out of Molecular Biophysics, Computational Biology, Molecular Biotechnology, Molecular Genetics and Cellular & Molecular Biology.
- Nanomolecular Sciences (NanoMol http://www.jacobs-university.de/nanomol-graduate-program/) - This provides graduates with excellent career prospects in interdisciplinary physical sciences focusing on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.
- Polar and Marine Research (POLMAR) - POLMAR is established as a transdisciplinary umbrella organization to combine science qualification in the various disciplines of polar and marine research with other key qualifications through joint seminars, lectures and practical training.
Most of these programs provide funded places and stipends. At Jacobs University, the convention is for PhD students to meet members of their examination committee early and submit yearly reports to assess their progress. Often an alternative academic advisor is appointed in addition to the PhD Supervisor.
International Foundation Year Program
Jacobs University offers an International Foundation Year Program that is designed to provide high school graduates with academic skills essential for undergraduate studies. Among these are the necessary credentials for admission to English-speaking universities, advanced competence in English, strong study and academic skills as well as fundamental subject orientation in economics, engineering and the natural sciences. Students who complete the program successfully have the opportunity to apply to regular Jacobs University undergraduate programs or to other universities worldwide.Professional programs
Currently, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences also provides an Executive MBA:- Executive MBA in European Utility Management (EUM) http://www.jacobs-university.de/schools/shss/programs/professional/eum/program/.
Exchange Programs
Jacobs University has established student exchange programs with Universidad de Murcia Spain, Rice UniversityRice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
, Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
, Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
in the USA, Sciences Po in France, Lafayette College
Lafayette College
Lafayette College is a private coeducational liberal arts and engineering college located in Easton, Pennsylvania, USA. The school, founded in 1826 by James Madison Porter,son of General Andrew Porter of Norristown and citizens of Easton, first began holding classes in 1832...
in the USA, Thammasat University
Thammasat University
Thammasat University , or in brief TU , is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the university was originally named by founder Pridi Banomyong, University of Moral Science and Politics , reflecting the political fervor of the time...
in Thailand, Università degli Studi di Cagliari and Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" in Italy, and more recently with the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
in Scotland and Instituto de Empresa in Spain.
Admission
Jacobs University has an achievement-oriented need blind admission policy. Its admission criteria are:- High achievements in secondary school education
- High scores in the standardized international academic tests (SAT or ACT, GRE for some of the graduate programs)
- 2 recommendation letters, personal interviews
- 1 application essay (in English)
- English proficiency test (for non-native speakers, for example TOEFL)
Campus
Like British and American universities, Jacobs University is a campusCampus
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...
university. The campus grounds and buildings were developed from the former grounds of the Roland Barracks in Bremen-Grohn
Bremen-Vegesack
-Geography:Vegesack is located at the mouth of the river Lesum, beside the Weser River . Abutting the district of Vegesack to the northwest is the district of Blumenthal, in the southeast the district of Burglesum...
.
Today the campus is composed of 30-hectare park-like grounds including student housing in colleges, the university’s teaching, research, and administration buildings, including the Reimar Lüst Hall named after the founding chair, the Information Resource Center (IRC) – a library with extensive digital resources and future oriented information technology – apartments for visiting scientists as well as sports and other leisure facilities.
Residential colleges
Jacobs University has four residential colleges modeled on student halls of residence and residential colleges found at British and American universities. These residential colleges (in chronological order of establishment: Krupp College, Mercator College, College 3 and College Nordmetall) are intended primarily as accommodation for undergraduate students, although a limited number of rooms are available for graduate students. The colleges offer similar amenities but foster their own unique identities with different traditions and events (Mercator College's Country Information Days, for example, or the annual College Nordmetall Christmas Market).Each college is headed by a College Master, a professorial member of academic staff and their family, and each has its own kitchen, common room, and full-time support staff. Some colleges have associated members of faculty who are active in social and extracurricular events. PhD students or experienced staff and their families are appointed as Residence Associates (RAs) and serve a range of roles. Students may move out of their College into one of the off-campus residences, the Blue, Yellow, Red and Green Houses.
Staff and student facilities
For the benefit of all staff and students, there is a gym, two sports halls and playing fields, a cinema, a bar and a dedicated student facility building (the Student Activity Center) including a late night shop, the Interfaith House (serving the multiple purpose of a church, concert venue and praying location), a café, multiple student clubs and even a kindergarten/preschool. In terms of academic resources, there are lecture halls, classrooms and laboratories in different locations around the campus as well as the modern Information Resource Centre (including an actual library and access to online research resources).Science Park
In August 2010, Jacobs University held a ground-breaking ceremony to celebrate the start of the site development and construction work for a Science Park in the direct campus neighborhood. On 4 hectares, the Science Park is supposed to provide research and technology oriented companies with space for future establishment.Extracurricular Activities
There is a variety of student clubs at Jacobs University. They can basically be divided into sports clubs and “Arts and Culture” clubs. Sports activities include, for example, rowing, soccer, basketball, volleyball, cricket, rugby, cheerleading, ball Room Dance, salsa, breakdance, slacklining, frisbee and martial arts. Exemplary clubs within the category “Arts and Culture” are the campus newspaper “Pulse of the World”, the model United Nations society “BRIMUN”, the debating society, the environmental club, the art club, and the new Yachay InitiativeThe Yachay Initiative
The Yachay Initiative is a registered nonprofit organization that focuses on fostering youth education and empowerment as a vehicle for community development and poverty alleviation....
.