| University of Dundee | |
|---|---|
| Latin: Universitas Dundensis | |
| Motto | Latin: Magnificat anima mea dominum[1] |
| Motto in English | "My soul doth magnify the Lord" |
| Established | 1967 - gained independent university status by Royal Charter 1897 - Constituent college of the University of St Andrews 1881 - University College |
| Type | Public university |
| Chancellor | Lord Patel |
| Rector | Brian Cox |
| Principal | Professor Peter Downes |
| Admin. staff | 3,000+ |
| Students | 18,610[2] |
| Undergraduates | 13,080[2] |
| Postgraduates | 5,535[2] |
| Location | Dundee, Scotland, UK |
| Colours | Red, White, Blue and Black |
| Affiliations | Association of Commonwealth Universities |
| Website | http://www.dundee.ac.uk |
The University of Dundee is a university based in the city and Royal burgh of Dundee on eastern coast of the central Lowlands of Scotland and with a small number of institutions elsewhere.
Founded in 1881 the institution was, for most of its early existence, a constituent college of the University of St Andrews alongside United College and St Mary's College located in the town of St Andrews itself. Following significant expansion, the University of Dundee became an independent body in 1967 whilst retaining much of its ancient heritage and governance structure. Since its independence, the university has grown to become an internationally recognized centre for research.
The main campus of the university is located in Dundee's West End, which also contains the university's affiliated Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design and the Dundee Dental Hospital and School. The university also has additional facilities at Ninewells Hospital – containing its School of Medicine, Perth Royal Infirmary – which houses a clinical research centre, and in Kirkcaldy, Fife – containing part of its school of Nursing and Midwifery. Dundee has developed a significant reputation for students entering the traditional professions most notably law, medicine and dentistry as well as emerging areas such as life sciences and art.
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The University of Dundee has its roots in the earlier University college based in Dundee and the University of St Andrews.
During the 19th century, the growing population of Dundee significantly increased demand for the establishment of an institution of higher education in the city and several organisations were established to promote this end, including a University Club in the city. At the same time, the University of St Andrews was, as were the other universities in Scotland at the time, suffering from significant financial problems. Moreover, St Andrews' position, isolation and small size (160 students as opposed to the University of Aberdeen, with a roll of around 700) contributed to a significant decline. In a submission to a Royal Commission established to investigate the problems at St Andrews, Professor Heddle, a lecturer in chemistry, observed that
| “ | If we could be transferred to Dundee, I believe we could live and perhaps flourish; but if not, I think we will gradually cease to live. | ” |
There was a significant movement with the intention of moving the entire university to Dundee (which the Royal Commission observed was now a "large and increasing town") or the establishment of a college along very similar lines to the present United College. Finally, agreement was reached that what was needed was expansion of the sciences and professions, rather than the arts at St Andrews.
In the early 1870s, construction began on the North British Railway's Tay Bridge which cut journey times between Dundee and St Andrews enormously and allowed for a third option between the status quo and complete movement: the creation of what was foreseen as a "University of Dundee and St Andrews", situated between two campuses, each with their own particular specialities.
A donation of £120,000 for the creation of an institution of higher education in Dundee was made by Miss Mary Ann Baxter of Balgavies, a notable lady of the city and heir to the fortune of William Baxter of Balgavies. In this endeavour, she was assisted by her relative, Dr John Boyd Baxter, an alumnus of St Andrews and Procurator Fiscal of Forfarshire who also contributed nearly £20,000. In order to craft the institution and its principles, it was to be established first as an independent university college, with a view from its very inception towards incorporation into the University of St Andrews.
In 1881 the ideals of the proposed new college were laid down, suggesting the establishment of an institute for "promoting the education of persons of both sexes and the study of Science, Literature and the Fine Arts".[3][4] No religious oaths were to be required of members. Later that year, "University College, Dundee" was established as an academic institution and the first principal, William Peterson, was elected in late 1882. When opened in 1883, it comprised five faculties: Maths and Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Engineering and Drawing, English Language and Literature and Modern History, and Philosophy. The University College had no power to award degrees and for some years students were prepared for external examinations of the University of London.
Following several aborted attempts at various forms of incorporation and association, in 1890 the college began to establish closer links with the University of St Andrews, a process which was completed in 1897 when University College became part of the University of St Andrews. This move was of notable benefit to both, enabling the University of St Andrews (which was in a small burgh) to support a medical school. Medical students could choose to undertake preclinical studies either in Dundee or St Andrews (at the Bute Medical School) after which all students would undertake their clinical studies at Dundee. Eventually, law, dentistry and other professional subjects were taught at University College. By 1904 University College had a roll of 208, making up 40 per cent of the roll of the University generally. By session 1909-10 234 students were studying at University College, 101 of whom were female. Among the notable students at this time were Robert Watson-Watt, the radar pioneer, and David Rutherford Dow who would go on to be a senior member of staff at the college.[5]
University College's development in the early twentieth century has been described as "slow and fitful" and the intewar period saw virtually no new building projects, leaving large parts of the college housed in buildings which were not fit for putpose.[6] Staff of a high calibre continued to be employed by the University including Professor Alexander Peacock and Margaret Fairlie, who in 1940 was appointed as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and thus became the first woman to hold a professorial chair at a university in Scotland.[7][6]
In 1947, the Principal of University College, Douglas Wimberley released the "Wimberley Memo" (resulting in the Cooper and Tedder reports of 1952), advocating independence for the College. In 1954, after a Royal Commission, University College was renamed "Queen's College" and the Dundee-based elements of the University gained a greater degree of independence and flexibility. It was also at this time that Queen's College absorbed the former Dundee School of Economics.
| “ | to advance and diffuse knowledge, wisdom and understanding by teaching and research | ” |
The publication of Robbins Report on Higher Education in 1963, which considered the question of university education expansion throughout the country, provided impetus to the movement to attain independent university status for Dundee. At this time, a number of new institutions were being elevated to this status, such as the University of Stirling, and second universities were created in Edinburgh and Glasgow (Heriot-Watt University and the University of Strathclyde) despite their having fewer than 2,000 students. Queen's College's size and location, alongside a willingness to expand, lead to an eventual decision to separate from the wider University of which it remained an integral part. In 1966, St Andrews University Court and the Council of Queen's College submitted a joint petition to the Privy Council seeking the grant of a Royal Charter to establish the University of Dundee. This petition was approved and the Charter[8] was granted which saw Queen's College become the University of Dundee, on 1 August 1967. The university continued a number of the traditions of its successor college and university and continues to be organised under the ancient university governance structure.
The University of Dundee has grown considerably since securing independent university status. The teaching of medicine, dentistry, law, nursing, social work and accountancy flourished, and a new Faculty of Letters (later renamed the Faculty of Arts) was developed. Dundee is the only university in the UK to offer an LLB in both English law and Scottish Law and to allow law students to dual qualify.
In 1974 the University began to validate some degrees from Dundee's Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, and by 1988 all degrees from that institution were being validated in this fashion. In 1994 the two institutions merged, with the college becoming a constituent faculty of the university. In 1996, the Tayside College of Nursing and the Fife College of Health studies became part of the university, as a school of Nursing and Midwifery. For several years, Dundee College of Education prepared students for degree examinations at the University of Dundee, and in December 2001 the university merged with the Dundee campus of Northern College to create a Faculty of Education and Social Work.
In October 2005, the university became home to the first UNESCO centre in the United Kingdom. The IHP-HELP Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science is involved in research regarding the management of the world's water resources on behalf of the United Nations.
The 2000s brought extensive renovation to the university's central campus, culminating in a number of new and upgraded buildings being introduced around 2007 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the university's independence. Large extensions have been placed on the Main Library and sports centre, and a number of new halls of residence (Heathfield, Belmont, West Park and Seabraes) have been gradually phased into operation. The Dalhousie building was erected during this period to house the School of Education and Social Work, replacing the previous Gardyne Road Campus in the east of the city, which has been taken up by Dundee College. Significant improvement works have taken place in old buildings such as the Old Technical Institute, Medical Sciences Institute and Old Medical School buildings.
More plans remain, including the extension of the university southwards and the creation of a number of green spaces linking the central parts of the university together. Small's Wynd is also to be utilised as a new hub for student services and facilities. A new pavilion is to be added to the Riverside Sports Grounds.
The University of Dundee graduates more students into the professions (such as law, accountancy, medicine and dentistry) than any other Scottish university.[9] The Guardian newspaper named the university's medical school and dental school the best in the United Kingdom in 2008 and 2009.[10][11] In recent years, its molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics departments have grown to become the most influential in Britain,[12][13] recently being awarded a Queen's Anniversary Prize for drug discovery and development. The university's Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design is ranked among the top three art schools in the UK.[14]
The university has been awarded a number of accolades: it was The Times Good University Guide's "Scottish University of the Year" in 2004/05. In 2005 The Times Higher Education Supplement rated the university as first in the UK for teaching quality. The Times also commended a number of Dundee's departments as amongst the top ten in the UK. The Scientist magazine declared the university the best place to work in Europe in 2004, 2005, and 2010.[13]
Former Dundee Chancellor Sir James Black, who had studied Medicine at the then University College, won the Nobel Prize for Medicine for his work on the discovery of propanolol- a widely used beta-blocker which broke new ground in the treatment of hypertension.
| 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Times Good University Guide | 44th | 41st[15] | 44th[15] | 50th[16] | 44th[17] | 25th | 28th[18] | 31st | 37th | 35th | 42nd | 42nd | 31st= | 38th | 26th | 30th= | 47th | 35th= | 43rd= |
| Guardian University Guide | 22nd | 19th[19] | 17th[20] | 33rd[20] | - | 68th[21] | 56th[22] | 58th | 36th | ||||||||||
| Sunday Times University Guide | 34th[23] | 36th | 38th[24] | 39th=[24] | 38th[25] | 30th[26] | 36th= | 117th | 42nd= | 42nd | 45th | 47th | |||||||
| The Complete University Guide | 45th=[27] | 49th[28] | 52nd[29] | 45rd | |||||||||||||||
| The Daily Telegraph | 45rd[30] | 57th | |||||||||||||||||
| FT | 22nd | 38th | 39th | 40th |
The University of Dundee is organised under the provisions of its Royal Charter, which granted the university its independence in 1967.[8] The University of Dundee, uniquely outside of the four ancient universities of Scotland shares the ancient governance structure which was developed in the 19th and 20th centuries through the various Universities (Scotland) Acts.
The Chancellor is the head of the university and President of the Graduates' Council, with a role of presiding over Academic Ceremonies such as graduations.[31] The four Chancellors of the university to have held office since its independence are:
The Rector of the University is an official elected by the matriculated students of the university for a three year term.[33] In common with other university rectors in Scotland, the position is largely ceremonial, although it does involve the representation of students on the University Court. The rectorship at Dundee is unique in not having the power to chair the University Court, that duty instead falling to a lay member.[34] The Rector also appoints an Assessor who can carry out the Rector's functions on his behalf when he is absent.
In February 2010, Brian Cox CBE, a Dundee born actor, was elected as the next Rector of the university. He replaced Craig Murray, a graduate of Dundee, former British Ambassador to Uzbekistan and twice President of Dundee University Students' Association.
Previous Rectors since the university's independence have included Sir Peter Ustinov, Sir Clement Freud and Stephen Fry, who each served two terms, and Tony Slattery and Fred MacAulay, who each served one.[35][36]
The Principal and Vice Chancellor is the chief academic and administrative officer of the university, presiding over the Senatus Academicus.[37] As a result of his title as Vice Chancellor, the Principal can fulfil the duties of the Chancellor in his absence. Prior to the university's independence and its union with the University of St Andrews, a similar function was carried out by the Master of Queen's College.
Following the retirement of Principal and Vice Chancellor Sir Alan Langlands in March 2009, the university appointed Professor Peter Downes to the post.[38][39] Former holders of this position are:
Principals of University College
Masters of Queen's College, Dundee
Principals of the University of Dundee
The university is organised into four colleges, with each containing a number of schools. In addition to this, there are two schools which have a special status within the structure and contain schools of their own. The head of each college has the position of a Vice Principal of the university, and individual schools are formally headed by a Dean. The following is a full list of the academic divisions of the university:
The College of Art, Science & Engineering, containing the Schools of:
The College of Arts and Social Sciences, containing the Schools of:
The College of Life Sciences, containing the Schools of:
The College of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, containing the Schools of:
Students at Dundee are represented by the University's Students' Representative Council and the Rector in common with other universities in Scotland sharing the ancient organisational structure.
The Dundee University Students' Association (DUSA), unlike many other students' unions in the United Kingdom, is not affiliated to the National Union of Students, mainly due to cost concerns and political objections. It is instead affiliated to the Coalition of Higher Education Students in Scotland (CHESS) and the National Postgraduate Committee. Membership of the Students' Association is automatic for all students of the university, although it is possible under statutes to renounce this membership at any time. The Association, as with its neighbours in the other ancient-organised universities in Scotland, is co-existent with the University's Students' Representative Council.
The DUSA building is located in Airlie Place, in the centre of the University's Main Campus and caters as a private members' club offering bar, nightclub and refectory services for students. DUSA also provides a number of other typical students' union services such as advocacy on behalf of its membership and assistance to individual students.
The Dundee University Sports Union is a body, like the Students' Union, of which all matriculated students of the university are automatically a member. It elects its own executive committee, although is linked with the Students' Union through the Students' Representative Council. The Sports Union is affiliated with the British University Colleges Sport.
As of early 2007, there are 45 clubs affiliated with the Sports' Union. There is an annual award ceremony for the sports clubs, and a Blues & Colours Ball (see Blue (university sport)) to provide social interaction between the clubs. A popular but informal event is sports clubs joining together on Wednesday night to attend the Students' Union, enabled by the university ending most classes early on a Wednesday afternoon to allow for sports participation - which is particularly appropriate in winter when the sun can set in the mid-afternoon due to Dundee's northerly location.
The Institute of Sport and Exercise, unlike the Sports Union, is directly controlled by the university, but works closely with the students' organisations. Its chief building is located on Old Hawkhill in the main campus, which contains the main indoor sporting facilities and the university's gym.
Following a multi-million pound refurbishment, the resources and amenities now available at the Institute of Sport & Exercise (ISE) include a 'state-of-the-art' gym with the latest download technology (the first gym in the UK with mp3/mp4 compatible personal viewing screens).
Outdoor facilities are mainly based in the Riverside Sporting Ground, within a reasonable walking distance and bordering the Tay, although there are others - such as tennis courts - spread throughout the main campus. The ISE's 25m swimming pool is located within the Students' Association building on Airlie Place.
The University has been included within the official London 2012 Pre-Games Training Camp Guide, opening up Dundee as a potential training venue for athletes preparing for the Olympics.
Notable sporting achievements of the University include winning the British University Gaelic football Championship in 1994 and being the first team in Scottish rugby history to win the league and SUS Cup double in the 2007/08 season.
The University Chaplaincy Centre was constructed in 1974 and extended in 1987 and houses both the University Chapel and a number of other related social facilities. The chapel is often used for concerts.
The university has a full time chaplain, presently the Revd Dr Fiona Douglas (since 1997) who is a minister of the Church of Scotland. There are also several part-time associate and honorary chaplains representing other faiths and denominations.
This list includes certain persons who are graduates of the University of St Andrews, having studied at the University College or Queen's College in Dundee, as well as graduates of the University of Dundee. This is a result of the incorporation of this institution in the other prior to 1967. It also includes notable former members of staff of these institutions.
The University is largely based within the West End of the City of Dundee, which has been subject to a large degree of studentification and an expansion of both the university and the city centre to meet.
Dundee students participate in a number of traditional events during the academic calendar. Towards the start of the year, a standard British Freshers' Week is organised, with a secondary one held when the University reconvenes after the Christmas vacation.
Traditions remaining from Dundee's days as a college of the University of St Andrews include the Gaudie Night (taking its name from the first line of the students' anthem, De Brevitate Vitae) - held early in the first semester and organised both as a Students' Union night and an event organised by the individual schools (for example by the Life Sciences, Medical, Law and Dentistry Societies) where students are assigned academic "parents" from the senior years. Some weeks later, a Raisin (alternatively spelled "Raisen") weekend is held to all new students to repay their academic parents' hospitality. Generally the school society run events are more traditional in nature than the Students' Union event.
Since 2004, the University has organised the Discovery Days series of public lectures hosted by University and visiting academics and persons of note, providing introductions into a number of major fields of work taking place at Dundee.
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design is a school of the university, formerly independent but now fully integrated within the College of Art & Design, Architecture, Engineering and Physical Sciences. It is named after James Duncan of Jordanstone, a major benefactor to the College in 1909. Prior to its independence and incorporation into the university, it existed as part of the former Dundee Institute of Art and Technology.
DoJ College ranks amongst the top three art schools in the United Kingdom,[14] having been the largest of them all during its period of independent operation. It is presently situated mainly in a purpose-built facility on Perth Road, on the southern tip of the University of Dundee's main campus, which was constructed in the 1950s.
The University has a number of student residences spaced around the city. There is at present an attempt to move some of these halls of residence closer to the main campus. With the closure and re-building of West Park Hall in 2005, all of the halls are now self catered and, bar Tay Mills, ensuite.
At present, there exist the following university residences:
Some older halls, despite remaining open in the interim until building works were finished, are now out of use - the last students moved out in early 2007. These are:
The centre researches new approaches in the field of gene expression and chromosome biology. Previousl y part of the Dundee Biocentre and receiving significant Wellcome Trust funding from 1995 onwards, it was awarded Wellcome Trust Centre status in 2008. Professor Angus Lamond is the Centre’s Director. The Centre aims to enhance our understanding of how genes are regulated at both the single cell and whole organism level. Researchers use a wide range of advanced techniques, including live cell fluorescent imaging and mass spectrometry-based proteomics, to explore the functions of key proteins and molecular mechanisms in cell biology.
Live cell imaging and proteomic studies have allowed researchers at the Centre to gain fresh understanding of protein function and cell behaviour. The Centre is studying many aspects of the cell cycle, including the way in which chromosomes replicate and separate during cell division and how DNA damage is detected. Failure of these events can lead to major faults within a genome, potentially leading to the rise of cancerous cells. The Centre is also investigating how DNA is tightly wound and compacted so that it can fit into the nuclei of eukaryotic cells, as well as the protein-DNA complexes that are involved in this packaging. The controlled unravelling of DNA is an important step in the regulation of gene function.
Like many universities, Dundee has significant museum collections acquired over the 125 years of its history. These include fine art, design furniture, textiles, scientific instruments, medical equipment and natural history specimens. Among the highlights are:
The collections are cared for by Museum Services, which are part of the University's Archive, Records Management and Museum Services Department.
The University's Archive Services, maintains the University of Dundee's manuscripts and records collections. The archives hold a wide range of material relating to the University and its predecessor institutions and to individuals associated with the University. Archive Services also hold a number of records relating to individuals, businesses and organizations based in the Tayside area.[42] The records held include a substantial number of business archives relating to the jute and linen industry in Dundee and West Bengal, records of other businesses including the archives of the Alliance Trust and the department store G. L. Wilson, the records of the Brechin Diocese of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Michael Peto photographic collection and the NHS Tayside Archive.[43][44]
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