Boston University (BU) is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. With over 33,000 enrolled students from more than 130 countries, Boston University is the fourth-largest private university in the country and one of Boston’s largest employers. BU offers over 250 programs of study, including undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degrees.
History
Boston University traces its roots back to 1839, when the Newbury Biblical Institute was established in Newbury, Vermont. In 1847, the institute moved to Concord, New Hampshire, where it was chartered as the Concord Biblical Institute. The school then moved again in 1867 to Boston, where it was renamed Boston Theological Seminary. In 1869, the seminary merged with the University of Boston, which had been founded three years earlier as a Methodist school, to become Boston University.
The university continued to grow, adding new schools and programs. In 1913, the College of Business Administration was established. Today, this school is known as the Questrom School of Business. The School of Social Work was founded in 1919, and the School of Education in 1920. In 1953, the College of Basic Studies was created, which later became the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Engineering was added in 1964, and the School of Law in 1872.
Today, Boston University is a major research university with a global presence and a commitment to academic excellence.
Campus
Boston University’s campus is spread over 135 acres along Commonwealth Avenue in Boston’s Fenway-Kenmore and Allston neighborhoods. The main campus is split into two sections by the Charles River. The Charles River Campus houses most of the academic buildings, while the Medical Campus is located in the South End neighborhood of Boston.
BU’s campus includes over 300 buildings and facilities, including the Mugar Memorial Library, the Tsai Performance Center, and the George Sherman Union building, which houses a variety of student services and organizations. The university is also home to several museums, including the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center and the Boston University Art Gallery.
Academics
Boston University is organized into 17 schools and colleges, offering over 250 programs of study. The university is particularly strong in the areas of journalism, film and television, international relations, and health sciences.
The university’s undergraduate program is divided into four schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Questrom School of Business, the College of Communication, and the College of Fine Arts. The graduate programs are offered through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences as well as through the various professional schools, such as the School of Law, the School of Medicine, and the School of Public Health.
Boston University has a reputation for academic excellence, and many of its programs are highly ranked. According to U.S. News & World Report, Boston University is ranked 40th among national universities in the United States. Additionally, many of the university’s individual programs are highly ranked, including the School of Law, which is ranked 22nd in the country, and the School of Public Health, which is ranked 7th.
Research
Boston University is a major research university, with more than $516 million in research expenditures during the 2019 fiscal year. The university’s research activities are organized through several research centers and institutes, including the Boston University Center for Regenerative Medicine, the Global Development Policy Center, and the Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering.
Boston University also has a number of research collaborations with other universities and institutions, both in the United States and abroad. The university is a member of the Association of American Universities, an invitation-only group of leading research universities in North America.
Student Life
With over 33,000 enrolled students, Boston University has a vibrant and diverse student community. The university offers over 450 student organizations, including clubs for sports, music, theater, social issues, and cultural awareness. The university also has a variety of intramural and varsity sports teams, collectively known as the Boston University Terriers.
In addition to the student organizations, Boston University offers a range of resources to support student life, including campus counseling and wellness services, career development resources, and a student ombudsman program.
Notable Alumni
Boston University has produced a number of notable alumni, including:
- Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights leader
- Geena Davis, actress
- Julianne Moore, actress
- Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks
- William H. Macy, actor
- Robert F. Kennedy, politician
- David Souter, former Supreme Court Justice
- Marisa Tomei, actress
Conclusion
Boston University is a highly respected research university with a global reputation for academic excellence. The university offers a wide range of programs of study and is particularly strong in the areas of journalism, film and television, international relations, and health sciences. With a vibrant student community and a commitment to research excellence, Boston University is well positioned to continue to achieve great things in the years to come.
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