Chemnitz UT: University:
- Chemnitz UT
University
Chemnitz University of Technology
Innovation has a strong tradition in Chemnitz. The foundations
for the close link between engineering, science and culture in the south-west
of Saxony, which still has a determining influence on study and research at
CUT, go back to the 16th century. What is now CUT had its foundation with the
establishment of the Royal Mercantile College (Königliche Gewerbschule)
in 1836, which catered to the region's demand for a well-trained workforce.
In 1900, the year the number of students hit the 1,000 mark for the first time,
the status of ”Royal Technical Academy” (Königliche Gewerbeakademie)
was awarded to the school. The number of students who studied Mathematics,
Sciences and Engineering at the College of Mechanical Engineering, as the school
was called after the World Wars, continued to increase steadily and received
a new boost in 1986, when the college was recognized as ”Technical University”.
In 1992 and 1993, two new faculties were established the Faculty
of Economics and Business Administration and the School of Humanities and Social
Sciences were added to the traditional
Faculties of Sciences and Technology, and the university has since then been
able to present a wide educational spectrum to its students. At the moment
there are more than 10,300 registered students, following in the footsteps
of famous scientists and scholars such as Adolf Ferdinand Weinhold (1841-1917,
inventor of the Thermos flask) or Carl von Bach (1847-1931) and Clemens Winkler
(1838-1904, who discovered the chemical element Germanium). They among others
laid the foundations for CUT’s strong emphasis on research as well
as implementation which are continued today, mainly concentrating on developing
and pace-making fields like TECHNOLOGY, MANAGEMENT and COMMUNICATION.
100 billion calculations per second - that’s
how fast the Superlative Computer, designed by researchers in Chemnitz, operates.
The university has a good reputation particularly among IT experts and mathematicians.
The German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) has, for that
reason, established its research on ”Numerical Simulations On Massively
Parallel Computer Processors” here in Chemnitz. With several DFG-sponsored ”Centres
of Excellence” assigned to CUT, the university is, in relation to its
number of professors, definitely a leader in the German research sphere. This
is where problems in mechanical engineering and the manufacture of microscopic
electrical parts are solved. Thereby Chemnitz ensures that fresh ideas for
the future will continue to originate in Saxony.
Unlike most other German universities, CUT is a campus university.
The students’ halls of residence, a number of cafeterias, major lecture
and seminar rooms, the sports centre, tennis courts, and student support and
advisory services are all on the main campus on REICHENHAINER STRASSE. And
in the middle of it all is the ”Aquarium”, as the modern glass
structure that houses the dining hall is affectionally called.
Directly opposite the ”Aquarium” is the ”Orangerie”.
The nickname for this centrally located auditorium and lecture hall has been
derived from its bright orange colour. Even the inside is uplifting. Bright
and colourful, fitted with state-of-the-art technology, it radiates the
message that this building houses more than just dull theory, it brings THEORY
TO LIFE.
Ten minutes away, in the city centre, is the STRASSE DER NATIONEN main building.
Most of the administrative services are located here, along with the main library,
a cafeteria, the International Office, and more teaching rooms and laboratories.
The academic year in Chemnitz is divided into two semesters. Full programmes of study last between 8 and 10 semesters (4 to 5 years) on average (Diplom and Magister). The various programmes usually start in the winter semester (October - March), with classes lasting until January. They are followed by a three week examination period and the semester break which can be used to travel, work or study independently. The summer semester starts in April and lasts until September. The lectures finish in July and are again followed by an examination period and the summer holidays.
The academic facilities at Chemnitz University of Technoloy are among the best in Germany. Substantial government funding in recent years has allowed Chemnitz to develop its research facilities and modernise its information sources. The university is home to a number of ”Centres of Excellence” of the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft - DFG), several outside-funded postgraduate programmes and two ”Innovation Units”. Technological innovations have always played an important role at CUT, and currently it ranks among the top seven research-based universities in Germany.
