University of California, Berkeley
History
The UC Berkeley was established in 1868 as the first campus of the University of California system. It was the result of the merger of the private College of California and the public Agricultural, Mining, and Mechanical Arts College in Oakland. The university's charter was signed by California Governor Henry H. Haight on March 23, 1868. The university opened in September 1869.
Campus
The main campus occupies 1,232 acres (499 ha) on the eastern side of the San Francisco Bay with the central campus resting on 178 acres (72 ha). The campus encompasses a variety of architectural styles, ranging from those that reflect the university's founding in the 1860s to contemporary styles. The campus is home to several museums, including the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive and the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology.
Academics
UC Berkeley is organized into 14 colleges and schools, including several graduate and professional schools. The university offers over 350 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The university has a high level of research activity and received $789.6 million in sponsored research in 2015. UC Berkeley is noted for its tradition of liberal arts education and its research in the natural sciences and engineering.
Research
UC Berkeley is classified as an R1 University, denoting its high research activity. The university is known for its distinguished faculty and rigorous academic programs. It is home to several research institutes, including the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute and the Space Sciences Laboratory. The university has been the site of numerous important inventions and discoveries, including the development of the polymerase chain reaction, a key technique in molecular biology.
Student life
UC Berkeley has a vibrant student life with over 1,200 student organizations. The university's athletic teams, known as the Golden Bears, compete in the NCAA Division I. The university has a strong tradition of student activism, dating back to the 1960s with the Free Speech Movement.
Notable alumni
UC Berkeley has produced numerous notable alumni in a variety of fields. These include 107 Nobel laureates, 25 Turing Award winners, and 14 Fields Medalists. Prominent alumni include former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, and Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Wozniak.