California Institute of Technology
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Introduction
The California Institute of Technology, known as Caltech, was founded in 1891 as Throop University and received its current name in 1920. The science and engineering-focused school is located in Pasadena, California, roughly 11 miles northeast of Los Angeles. There are approximately 2,200 students at Caltech, around 55 percent of them studying at the graduate level. The student-faculty ratio is meager, at 3:1. More than one-fourth of Caltech’s total enrollment is international. The school’s academic calendar is based on the quarter system, and English is the language of instruction.
Caltech has six academic divisions, many of which have highly-ranked graduate programs:
- Biology and biological engineering.
- Chemistry and chemical engineering.
- Engineering and applied science.
- Geology and planetary sciences.
- Humanities and social sciences.
- Physics, mathematics, and astronomy.
The university guarantees housing for all first-year undergraduate and graduate students. Instead of typical undergraduate residence halls like those found at many U.S. universities, there are eight undergraduate houses, each with its government and unique traditions. Newly admitted graduate students are given priority for housing in the on-campus Catalina Apartments.
Around 80 percent of undergraduates participate in research during their time at Caltech. The university offers a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships program where students write research proposals, collaborate with mentors, and present their projects. Caltech has around 50 research institutes and centers, such as the Resnick Sustainability Institute and the Tectonics Observatory. Additionally, the university operates NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a robotic solar system exploration center that engages faculty and students.
University Data
Total number of students: 2,237
Number of international students: 759
Total number of academic staff: 363
Number of international staff: 107
Number of undergraduate degrees awarded: 207
Number of master’s degrees awarded:101
Number of doctoral degrees awarded: 146
Number of research-only staff:597
Number of new undergraduate students: 235
Number of new master’s students: 21
Number of new postgraduate students: 248
Rankings
California Institute of Technology is ranked #9 in Best Global Universities. Schools are rated according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. Read more about how we rank schools.
Global Universities Rankings
#9 in Best Global Universities
Subject Rankings
Caltech’s Impressive Subject-wise Rankings
Global Universities Rankings:
- Biology and Biochemistry (tie): #31
- Cell Biology: #105
- Chemistry (tie): #15
- Computer Science: #78
- Condensed Matter Physics (tie): #112
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering (tie): #213
- Engineering (tie): #87
- Environment/Ecology: #63
- Geosciences: #1
- Materials Science: #90
- Mathematics (tie): #77
- Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences: #5
- Molecular Biology and Genetics (tie): #77
- Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (tie): #129
- Neuroscience and Behavior (tie): #74
- Optics: #1
- Physical Chemistry (tie): #110
- Physics: #5
- Space Science: #1
California Institute of Technology (Caltech): A Comprehensive Overview
Founding and Evolution:
- Established in 1891 as Throop University, renamed Caltech in 1920.
- It is located in Pasadena, California, approximately 11 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
Enrollment and Diversity:
- The total student population is 2,237, with 55% at the graduate level.
- Meager student-faculty ratio of 3:1.
- Over one-fourth of the student body is international.
Academic Structure:
- Six academic divisions, including biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, humanities, physics, and astronomy.
- Highly ranked graduate programs across various disciplines.
Unique Housing System:
- Guarantees housing for all first-year undergraduates and graduate students.
- Eight distinctive undergraduate houses with individual governments and traditions.
- Newly admitted graduate students given priority for on-campus Catalina Apartments.
Research Opportunities:
- 80% of undergraduates engage in research during their Caltech experience.
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships program for collaborative projects and presentations.
- Boasts around 50 research institutes and centers, including the Resnick Sustainability Institute and the Tectonics Observatory.
JPL Affiliation:
- Operates NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
- JPL serves as a robotic solar system exploration center involving faculty and students.
Academic Calendar and Language of Instruction:
- Quarter system for the academic calendar.
- English is the language of instruction.
Rankings:
- Globally ranked 9th in Best Global Universities.
- Varied subject rankings, including 1st in Geosciences and Space Science
- University Data:
- Total academic staff: 363
- International staff: 107.
- Undergraduate degrees awarded: 207
- Master’s degrees: 101; Doctoral degrees: 146.
- Research-focused staff: 597.
- New undergraduate students: 235; New master’s students: 21
- New doctoral students: 248.
Insights into University Data:
- Total number of students: 2,237
- International students: 759
- Entire academic staff: 363
- International staff: 107
- Undergraduate degrees awarded: 207
- Master’s degrees awarded: 101
- Doctoral degrees awarded: 146
- Research-only staff: 597
New Student Intake:
- New undergraduate students: 235
- New master’s students: 21
- New doctoral students: 248
Conclusion:
Caltech stands out as a globally recognized institution and excels in various academic disciplines, as reflected in its impressive subject-wise rankings. Caltech is a science and engineering education leader with a commitment to research, a unique housing system, and affiliations with prestigious institutions like NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Disclaimer:
Rankings are based on performance across widely accepted indicators of excellence. Readers should refer to official university sources and ranking methodologies for more detailed information.
This comprehensive overview aims to provide prospective students and academic enthusiasts with valuable insights into the multifaceted excellence that defines the California Institute of Technology.
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