German Research Institutions

The University of Rostock is the oldest university in the Baltic Sea region, with a very rich history. It is organised into nine faculties. In addition, the Interdisciplinary Faculty serves as an interlinking central academic facility, drawing together researchers and students from all disciplines in four current priority areas: Life, Light & Matter; Maritime Systems; Ageing Of The Individual and of Society; and Knowledge – Culture – Transformation. These constitute the core research areas that have evolved out of the university's traditions, and enhance the development of the university’s profile through an interdisciplinary pooling of strengths in cross-disciplinary communication and cooperation.

The Interdisciplinary Faculty of the University of Rostock

The university defined four priority areas in 2007. These were augmented by a fourth priority area in 2010. Research and teaching in a variety of fields are organised in the Interdisciplinary Faculty. The University of Rostock is not merely breaking new ground in education policy with this institutionalisation of priority areas and interdisciplinary cooperation; it also aims to combine and expand its extensive expertise on the topics chosen. The four future-focused topics of “Life, Light & Matter”, “Maritime Systems”, “Ageing Of The Individual and of Society” and “Knowledge – Culture – Transformation” provide the foundation for this intensive collaboration. The interdisciplinary treatment of these complex issues enables new perspectives, content and technologies to be developed. By taking this approach, the university aims to move up into the ranks of the top German universities within the next few years. The target date is 2019, which will mark the 600th anniversary of the university's founding.