University of the Mediterranean
L'Université de la Méditerranée or L'Université d'Aix-Marseille II is one of three Universities based across the the communes of Aix-en-Provence and Marseille in southern France. It has 24000 students.
Academic programs
The university is particularly strong in sciences with faculties for science (Faculté des Sciences de Luminy), sport sciences (Faculté des Sciences du Sport), engineering (École supérieure d'ingénieurs de Luminy) and economic science and management (Faculté des Sciences Économiques et de Gestion). The medical school comprises the faculties of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry.
In addition, there are a number of institutes:
- Institut de Mécanique de Marseille (Institute of mechanics at Marseille)
- École de Journalisme et de Communication (School of Journalism and Communications)
- Institut Universitaire de Technologie (University Institute for technology)
- Institut Régional du Travail (Regional institute for work)
- Centre d'océanologie de Marseille (Oceanography center of Marseille)
History
The Université d'Aix-en-Provence was initially created in 1413 by Louis II de Provence. In 1791, like every university in France, it was disolved and the faculties were dispersed between the two cities of Aix-en-Provence and Marseille and became autonomous. On 21 April 1881 by decree of the conseil municipal (city council) the medical school was opened at the palais du Pharo by the Vieux Port, Marseille. In 1969, two universities were established between Aix-en-Provence and Marseille. In 1973, the third was created (Université d'Aix-Marseille III). In 1994, the Université d'Aix-Marseille II took the name of Université de la Méditerranée.