National University of San Marcos (in Spanish Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), or simply San Marcos) is a public university in Lima, Peru. It was founded in 1551, and such is the oldest university in the American continent. While its historical campus is situated in downtown Lima, most academic activities take place at the modern Ciudad Universitaria. The university is one of the leading centers of higher learning in the country.

History

San Marcos was established on 12 May, 1551 by an order of Dominican friars headed by Fray Thomas de San Martin. It was subsequently officially recognized by Charles I of Spain. Classes commenced on 2 January, 1553, in the Convento del Rosario; the faculty consisted of Andrés Cianca and Corona D. Cosme Carrillo, and was led by Fray Juan Bautista de La Roca.

UNMSM was originaly located in the Convent of Rosario of the Dominicans. Later, it was moved to a location adjacent to the Augustinians convent San Marcelo. In 1575, it was moved again to the Plaza del Estanque later called Plaza de la Inquisición, where the Congress of Peru is currently located. In the 19th century was moved to the Convictorio de San Carlos, which is now referred to as the Parque Universitario. Finally in the 1960s, it was moved to its present location, the modern campus Ciudad Universitaria.

The Faculty of Medicine, also known as San Fernando, was established during colonial period. Originally it too was located at the Plaza del Estanque until the 1860s when it moved to Avendida Grau, still in downtown Lima.

Organization

The university was originally headed by members of the clergy; during the Enlightenment, Bourbon reforms transformed it into a secular institution. The university is governed by:

• A rector
• Two vice-rectors
• The university assembly (composed of professors and students, with the latter holding a third of the seats).

The original faculties at San Marcos were Theology and Arts; Law and Medicine were added later in the colonial period. The Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Economics and Commerce were created in the mid-19th century. The Faculty of Science was subdivided by specialties in the 20th century. The Faculty of Theology was closed in 1935.

San Marcos's departments are grouped into four academic blocks, as shown below.

• 1. Academic Block I: Science and Engineering
     1. Chemistry
     2. Biology
     3. Genetics and Biotechnology (merged)
     4. Microbiology and Parasitology
     5. Physics
     6. Mathematics
     7. Statistics
     8. Operations Research
     9. Chemical Engineering
     10. Fluid Mechanics Engineering
     11. Geology Engineering
     12. Geography Engineering
     13. Mine Engineering .
     14. Metallurgy Engineering
     15. Industrial Engineering
     16. Electronics Engineering
     17. Electrical Engineering
     18. System Engineering
  2. Academic Block II: Health Sciences
     1. Human Medicine
     2. Obstetrics
     3. Nursery
     4. Medical Technologies
        • Clinic Laboratory & Pathology
        • Physical Theraphy and Rehabilitation Programme
        • Radiology
        • Ocupational Theraphy
     5. Nutrition
     6. Pharmacy and Biochemistry (merged)
     7. Dentistry
     8. Veterinarian Medicine
     9. Psychology
  3. Academic Block III: Economics and Entrepreneur Fields
     1. Administration
     2. Tourism
     3. International Bussiness
     4. Accounting
     5. Economics
  4. Academic Block IV: Humanities and Social Sciences
     1. Laws
     2. Politics
     3. Literature
     4. Philosophy
     5. Language
     6. Social Communication
     7. Art
     8. Library Investigation and Journalism
     9. Education, including
        • Kindergarden
        • Elementary School Teaching
        • High School Teaching
     10. Physical Education
     11. History
     12. Sociology
     13. Anthropology
     14. Archaeology
     15. Social Work
     16. Geography

Famous UNMSM alumni

• Jorge Basadre , historian.
• Alfredo Bryce Echenique, novelist.
• Daniel Alcides Carrión , physician and pioneer in medical research.
• Cayetano Heredia , physician.
• Pablo Macera , historian.
• Valentín Paniagua Corazao, statesman.
• Javier Pulgar Vidal , geographer.
• Alberto Sabogal , painter.
• Augusto Salazar Bondy , playwright.
• Luis Alberto Sánchez , writer and statesman.
• José Santos Chocano , poet.
• Manuel Scorza , novelist.
• Julio César Tello , historian.
• Abraham Valdelomar , poet and short-story writer.
• Mario Vargas Llosa, novelist.
• Federico Villarreal , scientist.

References

• (in Spanish)
• (in Spanish)

External links

• National University of San Marcos website