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Universidad Católica del Norte
Universidad Católica del Norte
Emblema Universidad Católica del Norte.png
Motto Ver más allá
Type Traditional
Established 1956
Students 10,921 (2020)
Undergraduates 10,634
Postgraduates 287
Location , ,
23°40′52″S 70°24′36″W / 23.681°S 70.410°W / -23.681; -70.410
Website www.ucn.cl

The Catholic University of the North (its Spanish name is Universidad Católica del Norte, or UCN) is a well-known university in Chile. It is one of the important "Traditional Universities" in the country. You can find its main campus in the city of Antofagasta, Chile. The university first opened its doors on May 31, 1956.

The current leader of the university is Rodrigo Alda Varas, who is called the rector.

Where is UCN Located?

The Catholic University of the North has many different parts. These include 7 main schools (called faculties), 20 departments, 8 smaller schools, and 3 institutes. It also has 7 research centers and a special Scientific and Technological Park. These are spread out in four main areas:

  • The main campus, called Casa Central, is in Antofagasta.
  • Another campus, called Guayacán, is in Coquimbo.
  • There is a museum and research center in San Pedro de Atacama.
  • A special astronomy site is located in Sierra Vicuña Mackenna, near Taltal.

Other Important Places

The university also has a few other useful locations:

  • A business center (MBA) for economics and administration in Calama.
  • Offices in Santiago that help with applications and information.
  • Medical clinics that are part of the Faculty of Medicine. These are found inside the San Pablo Hospital in Coquimbo and across from the San Juan de Dios Hospital in La Serena.

UCN Museums

The university helps run several interesting museums:

  • The Professor Humberto Fuenzalida V. Geological Museum, which shows off rocks and fossils.
  • The Museo Arqueológico R. P. Gustavo Le Paige in San Pedro de Atacama, which displays ancient artifacts.
  • The Atacama Desert Museum, located near the Huanchaca ruins.

Technical Training Centers

The university also has centers for technical education and training, called Centro de Educación y Capacitación de la Universidad Católica del Norte (CeducUCN). These centers are in Coquimbo, Antofagasta, and Lebu.

What Can You Study at UCN?

The Catholic University of the North offers many different study programs. These are organized into different faculties (schools) that focus on specific subjects.

Faculty of Sciences

This faculty is where you can study subjects like:

  • Chemistry and Pharmacy
  • Physics (with a focus on Astronomy)
  • Mathematics
  • Environmental Chemistry and Metallurgy Chemistry
  • Chemical Analysis
  • General Chemistry

Faculty of Humanities

If you are interested in people and culture, this faculty offers:

  • Journalism
  • Psychology
  • Teaching English or Bilingual Translation

School of Law

This school is where students learn about laws and legal systems.

School of Architecture

Here, students learn how to design and plan buildings and spaces.

Faculty of Marine Sciences

This faculty focuses on everything related to the ocean, like marine life and oceanography.

Faculty of Economics and Administration

This school teaches about business, money, and how organizations are managed.

Faculty of Engineering and Geological Sciences

This faculty offers many engineering programs, such as:

  • Geology
  • Computer and Information Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Metallurgical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Construction Sciences

This faculty focuses on building and construction, including:

  • Construction Engineering
  • Civil Engineering

See also

A friendly robot, like those found in technology studies.

  • University homepage
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