Siena University
| University of Siena | |
|---|---|
| Università degli Studi di Siena | |
| Established | 1240 |
| Type | State-supported |
| Rector | Angelo Riccaboni |
| Academic staff | Economics; Engineering; Humanities and Philosophy; Humanities and Philosophy, Arezzo; Jurisprudence; Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences; Medicine and Surgery; Pharmacy; Political Science. |
| Students | 20,000 |
| Location | Siena, Italy 43°19′9″N 11°19′57″E / 43.31917°N 11.3325°ECoordinates: 43°19′9″N 11°19′57″E / 43.31917°N 11.3325°E |
| Sports teams | CUS Siena (http://www.unisi.it/servizi/cus/) |
| Affiliations | Coimbra Group, IRUN |
| Website | www.unisi.it/ |
The University of Siena in Siena, Tuscany is one of the oldest and first publicly funded universities in Italy. Originally called Studium Senese, the University of Siena was founded in 1240. The University had around 20,000 students in 2006 nearly half of Siena's total population of around 54,000. Today, the University of Siena is best known for its Schools of Law and Medicine.
History
The early studium
Pietro Ispano (Pope John XXI)
On December 26, 1240, Ildebrandino Cacciaconti, the then podestà of Siena, signed a decree imposing a tax on citizens of Siena who rented rooms to students of the local "Studium Senese". The money from this tax went to pay for the salaries of the maestri (teachers) of this new studium. The studium was further supported when, in 1252, Pope Innocent IV declared both its teachers and students completely immune from taxes and forced labour levied on their person or property by the city of Siena. Moreover, the commune exempted teachers of law and Latin from military service and teachers of Latin were also excused from their duties as night watchmen. By the early 14th century, there were five teachers of Latin, logic and law and two doctors of natural sciences (medicine).
One of the most notable maestri of the School of Medicine was Pietro Ispano (Pope John XXI). Ispano was an illustrious philosopher, personal doctor to Emperor Frederick II, and in 1276 became Pope John XXI.
In 1321, the studium was able to attract a larger number or pupils due to a mass exodus from the prestigious neighbouring University of Bologna when one of its students was sentenced to death by Bologna's magistrates for supposedly kidnapping a young woman. Partly at the instigation of their law lecturer Guglielmo Tolomei, the student body there unleashed a great protest at the Bolognese authority and Siena, supported by generous funding from the local commune, was able to accommodate the students resigning from the Studium Bolognese.
The university under changing states
The studium of Siena was eventually promoted to the status of "Studium Generale" by Charles IV, shortly after his coronation as Holy Roman Emperor in 1355. This both placed the teachers and students under the safeguard of the imperial authority (protecting them from the local magistracy) and also meant that the licences (licentiae docendi) granted by the university were licences ubique docendi. These licences entitled the person receiving them to teach throughout Christendom.
The Casa della Sapienza was built in the early 15th century as a center combining classrooms and housing for those enrolled in the Studium. It had been proposed by bishop Mormille in 1392, was completed twenty years later, and its first occupants took up residence in 1416. Room and board in 1416 cost fifty gold florins for a semester.
By the mid-14th century, Siena had declined as a power in Tuscany, eclipsed by the rise in power of Florence, who defeated the Republic of Siena in 1555. The city authorities, however, successfully asked the Medici (the hereditary dukes of Florence at the time) to preserve the academy. Francesco and later Grand Duke Ferdinando I, reforms were made with new statutes and new preogatives. The post of Rettore (Rector), elected by students and city magistrates, was also instituted.
In 1737, the Medici line became extinct and the rule of Tuscany passed to the French House of Lorraine. In this period, the Tuscan economist Sallustio Bandini, seemingly determined to "improve the intellectual stimulation of his native Siena" solicited scholarships from rich patrons for the university and also set up a large library, which he eventually bequeathed to the university.
In 1808, when the Napoleonic forces occupied Tuscany, they eliminated the Studium Senese and the doors of the University were not opened again until after the defeat of Napoleon and the restoration of Ferdinand III as the Grand Duke of Tuscany.
The university in the Risorgimento
During the Risorgimento, the movement towards the unification of Italy as a single state, Sienese students organised groups which were openly patriotic. They publicly expressed their dissent and, during the April of the 1848 revolts in Tuscany, three professors, one assistant and fifty-five students formed the Compagnia della Guardia Universitaria to participate in the battles of Curtatone and of Montanara. The troop’s flag is still preserved in the Chancellor’s building. All of this passion for the new republic could not but trouble the Grand Duke and in the end he closed down the School of Medicine permitting only Law and Theology to continue
After the Second Italian War of Independence in 1859 and its aftermath, Tuscany and with it Siena were controlled by the Kingdom of Sardinia, which was to become the Kingdom of Italy. The Sienese academy eventually recovered from the unrest, thanks to initiatives by the city’s private enterprises and a series of legislative acknowledgements that boosted the reputation of the School of Pharmacy and that of Obstetrics (and consequently the School of Medicine itself) while the old hospital Santa Maria della Scala was transformed into General University Hospital. Some time later in 1880, the Law Faculty established the Circolo Giuridico or Legal Circle, where issues pertaining to law studies were examined in depth through seminars and lectures
The university in modern Italy
In 1892 the Minister of Public Education, Ferdinando Martini, launched a proposal aimed at suppressing the Sienese academy’s activities. Siena perceived this as a declaration of war and was backed immediately by a general tradesmen’s strike, the intervention of all of the town’s institutions and by a genuine uprising of the population – all of which induced to minister to withdraw the project. Having escaped this danger, the town went back to investing its resources in the university setting up new degrees and new faculties. The bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena financed the construction of the biology department.
The 19th century witnessed the constant growth of the University of Siena, with the student population escalating from four hundred between the wars to more than 20 thousand in the last few years
During the start of the academic year, on November 7, 1990 the Sienese academy celebrated its 750th anniversary.
Notable students, alumni and faculty
- Antonio de Venafro (1459–1530), advisor to Pandolfo Petrucci, Ruler of the Republic of Siena
- Francesco Accarigi (c. 1557-1622), professor of civil law
- Flavio Delbono (born 1959), economist and politician
- Pietro Ispano (c. 1215-1277)
Organization
The University is composed of 9 Schools:
- The School of Economics
- The School of Engineering
- The School of Humanities and Philosophy
- The School of Humanities and Philosophy - Arezzo
- The School of Jurisprudence
- The School of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences
- The School of Medicine and Surgery
- The School of Pharmacy
- The School of Political Science
Siena’s campus is the city. The academy lives as an integral part of the urban fabric in both space and time. Thus there is an uneasy equilibrium between city and university, where 20 thousand students lived among the 50 thousand Sienese. While the Sienese are proud of their native traditions, the more polyglot university prides itself on diversity, with which as the historian Guicciardini would put it, non havvi genio - there is no genius.
Recently, the University has returned historical buildings to the city, which are being made into apartments or used by the contradas. At the same time, it is thanks to the intervention of the University that many buildings which risked falling into ruin were saved, making institutions of study out of a part of the city patrimony that might have otherwise been lost. The Faculties of Engineering and Literature, for example, have found space for their departments in the large rooms of what was once the San Niccolò Psychiatric Hospital. The same holds true for the transformation of the former Convent of Santa Chiara into the first collegiate residence in Italy, reserved for those working towards a European postgraduate degree.
New university buildings have even been built in the city centre such as the one that houses the Faculty of Political Science and Law, whose architectural style blends with the secular surroundings creating a balance between preservation and innovation. The ten university dormitories are adapted to the urban fabric and are located within the historical centre (Fontebranda, Porrione, Sperandie, San Marco), on the outskirts (Acquacalda) and near the extended areas of the university (San Miniato).
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Libraries & Resources
Libraries Sector
Responsible for coordinating and ensuring the harmonization of the library service.
University journals and series
The many journals and series published by the University can also be consulted here. To contact us write to comunicazioneonline@unisi.it .
University publications
Under the trade name Edizioni dell’Università, the University of Siena publishes a series of texts for a varied readership.
Archaeology Library
The Online Archaeology Library Project (BibAr) is managed by the Medieval Archaeology Sector’s “Archaeology of Medieval Landscapes” project. The portal provides access to scientific publications on archaeological topics published by specialist companies.
Medieval Archaeology portal
Managed by the Medieval Archaeology Sector of the Department of Archaeology and History of the Arts, this portal provides access to information on the department’s educational activities and projects.
Photo Library
This portal, managed by the Department of Archaeology and History of the Arts, provides access to an online archive of over 33,000 photographs of architecture, paintings, sculpture, miniatures, jewellery and prints filed by artist, subject and location.
E-Geo - a sea of maps
E-Geo is a search engine for Italian thematic maps with the aim of disseminating Italian thematic maps both nationally and internationally. The portal is managed by the University of Siena’s Applied Geology Group.
Library Centre of the Italian Geological Society
The Library Centre is the home of the Italian Geological Society’s Library, which, as well as all the journals and maps published by the Society, comprises journals, books and maps received via exchanges with other similar scientific associations and societies.
Museums
With the aim of safeguarding its historical heritage, in November 2007 the University of Siena set up a network of museums that includes collections of historical, artistic, scientific, archaeological and naturalistic interest. The network comprises the following museums: University Archives and Museum; University Service Centre for the Protection and Promotion of Siena’s Ancient Scientific Heritage (CUTVAP); Prehistory and Classical and Medieval Archaeology Collections; “L. Comparini” Museum of Human Anatomy; Botanical Gardens and Herbarium; National Antarctic Museum; Earth Sciences Museum.
University Archives and Museum
Via Banchi di Sotto, 55 (ground floor)
53100 Siena
Tel. 0577 232382
E-mail: leoncinia@unisi.it
European Higher Education and Research Area
At the European Council Meeting in Lisbon in March 2000, the EU set itself the target of becoming the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of achieving sustainable economic growth, with more and better employment opportunities and greater social cohesion.
Universities can contribute to attaining this ambitious goal through the Bologna Process, which aims to consolidate and improve the competitiveness of the European Higher Education and Research Area by:
- improving the quality and effectiveness of EU education and training systems;
- ensuring that they are accessible to all;
- opening up education and training to the wider world;
- the exploitation of research results, also through to industrial cooperation and spin-off companies, which promote synergy with regional and local development.
The creation of a European Higher Education and Research Areas represents a source of both opportunities and challenges for Universities.
Faculties
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities in Arezzo
- Faculty of Economics "R. M. Goodwin"
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Political Science
Postgraduate and other programmes
The University of Siena runs a variety of postgraduate schools and doctoral research schools.The University also organizes master’s programmes, training, advanced training and refresher courses and summer schools, with a choice of two starting dates per year.
Announcements and calls for applications are therefore published:
- from May onwards for courses beginning between 1 August and 31 December;
- from October onwards for courses beginning between 1 January and 31 July of the following year.
Other courses – vocational schools – are organized by the Vocational Training Office(www.unisi.it/v0/ufficio.html?fld=1135)
Postgraduate Schools
The Postgraduate Schools aim to provide graduates with the knowledge and experience required to carry out specific professional activities. Postgraduate schools train graduates for professions involving particularly complex knowledge and technologies, which require a division of skills into distinct areas.
Doctoral research schools
The University of Siena has set up doctoral research schools for young people with particular expertise in the field of research who wish to obtain the qualification of PhD. The schools offer a wide variety of programmes on specific scientific topics.
Admission to the schools is subject to a selection process, which is open to those in possession of an Italian second cycle degree (or degree awarded under the previous Italian system) or an equivalent qualification awarded by a foreign university.
Each year at least half of the number of doctoral students admissible to each school will receive a scholarship. These are awarded according to a list of merit drawn up following the admission examination and the exact number of grants is redefined on an annual basis.
Courses begin on 1 October or 1 November of each year, according to the proposals of the individual Academic Boards and the decisions of the Academic Senate.
Competition announcements for admission to the Doctoral Schools are issued from April/May. The selection procedures will be completed by 15 September for the Schools in which courses begin on 1 October, and by 15 October for the Schools in which courses begin on 1 November.
University Master’s degree programmes
The University’s master’s degree programmes are lifelong and continuing education courses that last 10-16 months and are accessible to graduates with a first cycle (for the first level master’s) or second cycle (for the second level master’s) degree.
A minimum of 60 credits must be obtained to achieve the qualification of “master”. Master’s programmes may also be run in collaboration or under agreements with public or private external bodies.
Advanced training courses
Advanced training courses respond to a need for graduates to study certain subjects in greater depth, as well as serving as refresher or requalification courses for those already employed. They therefore represent an intermediate solution between postgraduate schools and continuing education courses. Courses last a maximum of one year and are accessible to university graduates.
Although the advanced training courses are run by the individual faculties, the course contents are often interdisciplinary and therefore university qualifications in various sectors are acceptable for admission.
Training courses
Training courses are designed for the lifelong and continuing education of those who are employed in specific sectors. Not all courses require a university level education for admission.
Although the training courses are run by the individual faculties, the course contents are often interdisciplinary and therefore various professional profiles are admitted.
Refresher courses
Refresher courses are run by the individual faculties in the context of targeted training and integrated didactic services. They are aimed in particular at those working in specific social and productive sectors. Not all courses require a university level education for admission.
Although the training courses are run by the individual faculties, the course contents are often interdisciplinary and therefore various professional profiles are admitted.
Departments
- Archaeology and History of the Arts
- Biomedical Sciences
- Business and Social Studies
- Chemistry
- Classics
- Clinical Medicine and Immunology
- Communication Sciences
- Cultural Heritage
- Dental and Visual Sciences
- Department of Historical, Social and Philosophical Studies and Education
- Earth Sciences
- Economic Law
- Economic Policy, Finance and Development
- Economics
- Environmental Sciences "G. Sarfatti"
- Evolutionary Biology
- Historical, Legal, Political and Social Sciences
- History
- Human Pathology and Oncology
- Information Engineering
- Internal Medicine, Endocrine and Metabolic Sciences and Biochemistry
- Law, Economics and Government
- Mathematics and Computer Science "R. Magari"
- Modern Literature and Language Studies
- Molecular Biology
- Neurological, Neurosurgical and Behavioural Sciences
- Neuroscience
- Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine
- Philology and Literary Criticism
- Philosophy and Social Sciences
- Physics
- Physiology
- Physiopathology, Experimental Medicine and Public Health
- Private Law
- Public Law
- Pure and Applied Medicinal Chemistry
- Surgery
- Surgery and Bioengineering
Sports
In collaboration with the Regional Authority for Higher Education Grants (Azienda Regionale per il Diritto allo Studio Universitario - ARDSU) and Siena University Sports Centre (CUS), the University promotes sports for students by offering courses for free or at reduced rates in: basketball, football, volleyball, rugby, judo, weight training, fencing and tennis.CUS also arranges the participation of both individuals and teams in competitive sporting events recognised by the respective national federations.
To participate in these events, students must have an ARDSU/CUS membership card, which can be obtained from the following offices:
SIENA
ARDSU Sports Office and Student Services Office
Via P. Mascagni, 53
Tel. 0577 292000
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 10.00am to 1.00pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 3.00pm to 5.00pm
CUS Siena – Siena University Sports Centre
Via L. Banchi, 3
Tel. 0577 52341/54114
Fax 0577 52324
AREZZO
ARDSU Office
Via Laschi, 26
Tel. 0575 35981
Health Service
Health Service - Azienda Usl 7, SienaPublic Relations Office (URP) - Registry and foreigners’ office (sezione anagrafe assistiti e stranieri)
Pian d'Ovile 9/11
Tel. 0577 535987
Opening hours:
Monday – Friday 9.00am -11.00am
Foreign students should contact the Registry and foreigners’ office (sezione anagrafe assistiti e stranieri) at the address above.
Admission
Who and When
Who can apply
If you obtained your previous degree (BSc or equivalent) from a non-Italian institution, follow the instructions next to apply to our MSc Programmes.
Instructions for applicants holding a Laurea Triennale issued by an Italian University can be found here(www.unisi.it/dl2/20110928161414477/NormeMagistrali2011_2012.pdf).
Admission to the MSc Programmes is open to graduates who have a recognized degree (BSc or equivalent). The degree must be earned within September 2012.
In any case the admission will be decided by the Enrolment Committee on the basis of your CV.
When to apply
• EU citizens*: from March to the end of September 2012
• Non-EU citizens** can apply from March to the end of May 2012
* The same rules of EU citizens apply to citizens of the following countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, plus the Republic of San Marino and the Vatican.
** Some Non EU citizens are classified as equivalent to Italian citizens, and they are subject to the same rules of EU citizens. They are citizens who already live in Italy legally, have a regular stay permit issued for study, work, or family reasons.
How to Apply
If you have obtained your previous degree (BSc or equivalent) from a non-Italian institution, this is the procedure to apply to our MSc Programmes.For any doubt or problem, please contact pre-enrolment-lm@unisi.it.
Prepare the following documents:
• Application form (download pdf : www.unisi.it/dl2/20120503184404530/Enrolment_form_LM_2012_13.pdf/rtf : www.unisi.it/dl2/20120503184332060/Enrolment_form_LM_2012_13.rtf) , specifying which MSc Programme you are interested in
• Curriculum Vitae, in English
• If you are not a native English speaker: a transcript of English proficiency test (TOEFL, Cambridge, etc.) or any statement proving an equivalent proficiency
• Copy of your passport (if non-EU citizen) or Identity Card
Submit all the documents listed above either
• by regular mail (with return receipt) addressed to:
Divisione Corsi di I e II livello
Università degli Studi di Siena
Via Sallustio Bandini, 25
53100 Siena - Italia
or
by e-mail to pre-enrolment-lm@unisi.it
Note: If you submit the documents via e-mail, prepare a separate PDF (Portable Document Format) file for each document to be transmitted and attach all of them to the e-mail message. Any tool to convert/print documents to PDF should be fine. Please make sure that the overall size of the attached documents does not exceed about 6 MByte. Should this happen, please, split the attachments across multiple email messages and append to the e-mail subject a progression indicator (ex.: part 1 of 3, part 2 of 3, part 3 of 3).
Photo of University
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