Jacobs University Bremen

Jacobs University Bremen
Logo of Jacobs University Bremen
Established	2001 (2001)
Type	Private
President	Joachim Treusch
Academic staff	376 academic/research staff (of which 122 are Professors).
Admin. staff	137
Students	1245 (2010/11)
Location	Bremen, Germany
Campus	Urban, 80 acres (0.32 km2)
Website	jacobs-university.de

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.

History and Accreditation

Jacobs University Bremen Campus Center

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.^[1] 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.^[2]

In 2008, Jacobs University Bremen was the focus of a five-part television series produced by Deutsche Welle titled "Leaders of Tomorrow."^[3]

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.

The University

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.^[4]

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. ^[5]

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.^[6]

Teaching

Teaching at Jacobs University comprises two Schools that provide undergraduate programmes, and a Research Center:

• School of Engineering and Science (SES)
• School of Humanities and Social 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. 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.[1] 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 sociology^[7]

Study Programs

Undergraduate courses (Majors)

The campus.

BA Majors in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences:

• Integrated Social and Cognitive Psychology
• 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 Economics and Management
• Integrated Environmental Studies

BSc Majors in the School of Engineering and Sciences:

• Applied and Computational Mathematics
• Biochemical Engineering
• Biochemistry and Cell Biology
• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
• Biology and Neuroscience
• Chemistry
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
• Computer Science
• Earth and Space Sciences
• International Logistics Management and Engineering
• Mathematics
• Physics

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 [2]) - 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 [3]) - 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.

The "Information Resource Center" at the heart of the campus

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) [4].

Exchange Programs

Jacobs University has established student exchange programs with Universidad de Murcia Spain, Rice University, 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.

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)^[8]

Location and Facilities

Campus

Like British and American universities, Jacobs University is a campus 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.

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.^[9] 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 Initiative.

References

1. ^ The New York Times: Billionaire’s $250 Million Donation Saves Private University in Germany . November 8, 2006
2. ^ http://www.jacobs-university.de/about/community/audit/
3. ^ http://jacobs-realitytv.blogspot.com/
4. ^ ”Privilege and Challenge”, In: Jacobs Magazine, Winter 2010/11, p. 37
5. ^ Website Jacobs University Bremen: Facts and Figures. Last Update: November 2010
6. ^ ”The New Nine - Jacobs University’s Research Centers at a Glance”, In: Jacobs Magazine, Winter 2010/11, p. 28f
7. ^ "CHE-Spitzenplatz für Jacobs University". http://uni-protokolle.de/nachrichten/id/216038/. ^{[dead link]}
8. ^ www.jacobs-university.de/undergraduate-admission
9. ^ www.jacobs-university.de/news/sciencepark_kick-off

External links

• Official Website
• Graduate Student Association at Jacobs University
  • Alfried Krupp College
  • Mercator College
  • College III
  • College Nordmetall
  • Logistics Chain Club

Coordinates: 53°10′N 8°39′E / 53.167°N 8.65°E / 53.167; 8.65