Melbourne, University of

one of the most important universities in Australia. Founded in 1853 by a decree adopted by the legislature of Victoria, the University of Melbourne was opened in 1855. In 1857 a law school was opened at the university, in 1862 a medical school, and in 1895, a conservatory. As of 1973 the University of Melbourne included faculties of the humanities, law, medicine, agricultural science, architecture, the natural sciences, dentistry, economics and business, pedagogy, veterinary science, engineering, and music. There is a scientific institute of applied economic research and a veterinary institute. The Air Force Academy, which includes departments of chemistry, physics, and mathematics, is part of the university. Founded in 1855, the university library contains about 640,000 volumes. During the 1972–73 academic year 14,500 students were enrolled at the University of Melbourne, and 900 instructors, including about 100 professors, were teaching there.