land-, sea-, and space-grant university located in Newark, Del. It was founded in 1833, but its history traces back to 1743 when it was established as an academy. The University of Delaware is privately controlled but state-assisted. The 1,100-acre (440-hectare) campus contains some of the oldest elm groves in the United States. Buildings are a mixture of Georgian-style and modern architecture. Among the university's many facilities are computer-controlled greenhouses, an experimental farm, an integrated circuit design laboratory for engineers (one of only a few in the United States), and the Ice Skating Science Development Center. Enrollment is more than 18,000 students, about 15,000 of whom are undergraduates. More women than men pursue undergraduate degrees. Fewer than half of the students are state residents, but most come from Middle Atlantic states. Out-of-state applicants need a better high school class rank and higher standardized test scores in order to be admitted. Freshmen are required to live in campus housing unless they are over the age of 21 or living with relatives. All students are guaranteed housing if they apply by the deadline. On-site housing ranges from coeducational and single-sex dormitories to apartments to residence halls for people sharing a common interest. The university is on a 4-1-4 system. Full semesters of about four months each are held in the fall and spring. An optional winter term, lasting about a month, is available for concentrated courses, field studies, study abroad programs, and independent study. More than 80 percent of University of Delawares full-time faculty hold doctorates. The university awards degrees at the associate through doctoral levels. Undergraduate studies are conducted by the colleges of arts and sciences; agricultural sciences; business and economics; physical education, athletics, and recreation; education; engineering; human resources; and nursing. There is also a School of Life and Health Sciences. Among the requirements for all students is a course in multicultural studies. The University Honors Program accepts about 300 freshmen a year, who receive such benefits as special residence halls, Great Books tutorials, academic scholarships, and the opportunity to do undergraduate research. Roughly 20 percent of graduating students pursue advanced studies directly after graduation. The university's own graduate program is quite extensive, offering masters degrees in some 80 fields and doctorate degrees in about 40. Performance groups, a campus radio station, an environmental group, student government, and the student-run newspaper are some of the more than 150 extracurricular activities in which students participate. A large number of fraternities and sororities exist on campus. University of Delaware's Fightin' Blue Hens participate in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (except in football, in which they compete in Division I-AA). School colors are blue and gold. , |