University of Bamberg

Otto-Friedrich-University of Bamberg
Established	1647 (initial) 1972 (re-founded)
Type	Public
Chancellor	Dagmar Steuer-Flieser, Ph.D.
President	Prof. Godehard Ruppert, Th.D. Ph.D.
Academic staff	138
Students	10,156
Location	Bamberg, Germany
Website	http://www.uni-bamberg.de

The University of Bamberg (German: Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg) in Bamberg, Germany, is simultaneously one of the oldest and one of the newest universities in Bavaria. It specializes in the Humanities, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences, Economics and Applied Computer Science.

History

The University of Bamberg was founded in 1647 under the name Academia Bambergensis by Prince-Bishop Melchior Otto Voit von Salzburg and was enlarged in the following century, particularly through the work of Prince-Bishop Friedrich Carl von Schönborn, to attain the status of a full university, including departments of theology, philosophy, law and medicine.

In 1803 the university was closed during the course of the secularization of the diocese. However, Catholic theology could still be studied, thus, the traditional role as university was never actually interrupted.

In 1972 the College for Philosophy and Theology, which was founded in 1923 and was modeled on the tradition of the old university, was combined with the Teachers Training College (established in 1958) to become the Gesamthochschule of Bamberg (i.e. a University and a University of Applied Sciences combined in one institution). In 1979 it was re-designated, having earned the title of University. As all German universities the University of Bamberg is designed as a B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. granting institution of higher learning as well as a research university.

The name Otto-Friedrich University was chosen in reference to the founder, Melchior Otto Veit von Salzburg, and to the important patron Friedrich Carl von Schönborn, both bishops of Bamberg. Rectors and Presidents since the re-founding of the university:

• Prof. Othmar Heggelbacher, Ph.D.; and Prof. Elisabeth Roth, Ph.D.: 1972-1973 (Joint Rectors);
• Prof. Elisabeth Roth, Ph.D.: 1973-1976;
• Prof. Siegfried Oppolzer, Ph.D.: 1976-1992;
• Prof. Alfred E. Hierold, Ph.D.: 1992-2000;
• Prof. Godehard Ruppert, Ph.D.: since 2000.

Departments

The university today has four departments (Fakultaeten)

• Humanities and Cultural Sciences
• Social Sciences, Business Administration and Economics
• Human Sciences
• Information Systems and Applied Computer Science

as well as an

• Institute of Catholic Theology

In light of the most recent agreements between the Free State of Bavaria and the Vatican, the faculty of Catholic Theology was to cease existence as a faculty and was instead restructured as an institute which will place a greater emphasis on teacher training. In accordance with a decision made by a Bavarian parliamentary committee on June 2nd, 2005, the course Social Work has been transferred to the University of Applied Sciences in Coburg.

Disciplines

• Language-based area studies, including Oriental Studies and Slavonic Studies
• Medieval Studies; Archaeology (Prehistoric, Roman Provinces, Medieval); Cultural Heritage Conservation
• Behavioral Sciences: Sociology, Political Science, Psychology
• Economics and Business Administration, with an emphasis on European Economics
• Applied Computer Science

Location

The university buildings are mainly historical buildings which have been transformed for the university and which are located in the heart of Bamberg’s Old Town district. These buildings include the former Jesuit college (Theology), the former Hochzeitshaus (History), the old slaughterhouse (Earth Science), the former Bauhof (Communication Studies), and the former fire station (Oriental Studies). The departments of Languages and Literature are partly housed in buildings which once belonged to the Kaiser-Heinrich High School.

The Social Sciences and Economics department and the Business Information Technology and Applied Computer Science department, which accommodate a large proportion of the students, are to be found in the Feldkirchenstrasse buildings, which are not in the city center.

By the winter term of 2008/09, the University of Bamberg will be able to boast a third location. The site of the former ERBA cotton mill, which is situated on an island in the Regnitz, has already been acquired and plans are underway to create 300 student apartments in the existing red-brick building, while an adjoining new 14,000m² building will cater to the needs of the streams of students who are expected in the future.

Notable laureates

• Dietrich Dörner -- The professor for Psychology received the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize in 1986.

See also

• List of early modern universities in Europe
• List of universities in Germany

External links

• The University of Bamberg website (no English version)
• International Services (Akademisches Auslandsamt)
• Feki.de Student website with information on degree programs, extra-curricula activities, etc.

Coordinates: 49°53′38″N 10°53′12″E / 49.89389°N 10.88667°E / 49.89389; 10.88667