University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna

The University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, or simply BOKU (derived from its German name Universität für Bodenkultur, literally University for Soil Culture), founded in 1872, is a Vienna university. There are currently around 10500 students enrolled at BOKU.

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Campus

The original campus was built in 1896 in the Türkenschanzpark in Vienna's 18th and 19th districts. The Departments of Sustainable Agriculture, Viticulture, Soil Science, Horticulture, and Animal Husbandry are still headquartered at this original campus. Another campus, located near the Heiligenstadt subway station, is the headquarters for the biotechnology, chemistry, plant sciences, water resource management, and food sciences departments. A new building with chemistry and food sciences laboratories, facilities, and lecture halls was completed at this campus in 2009. There is also a research facility in Tulln, north of the city, with biotechnology and agricultural sciences laboratories and facilities.

Conversion to European Union University Structure

During the 2004/2005 school year, the school began the switch to the European Union system of higher education (Universitätsgesetz (UG) 2002), meaning that they initiated a three-tier system of studies. From that point on, the university offered bachelor-type degrees, masters degrees, and doctoral degrees. This was a change from the older Austrian system of Diplomstudien, in which graduates left the University with a diploma representing something more specialized and involved than a bachelor's degree, but less so than a master's degree. In the years from 2005 to 2009, the last of the Diplom students completed their studies at the University, and no new Diplom studies were begun.

The changeover also restructured the faculty and department organization at BOKU. The existing 40 "institutes" of faculty were converted to 13 "departments," although there are currently 15 departments at the university.

Departments

Areas of study

Notable alumni

External links