University of California

Public university system in California, United States

Seal of the University of California

Logo of the University of California

The University of California (UC) is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. The system is composed of ten campuses, a combined student body of over 280,000 students, 227,000 faculty and staff, and over 2.0 million living alumni. Its first campus, UC Berkeley, was founded in 1868, while the newest campus, UC Merced, opened in 2005.

History

The University of California was established in 1868, following the merger of the private College of California and the public Agricultural, Mining, and Mechanical Arts College in Oakland. The first campus, UC Berkeley, was established in Berkeley, California. The university expanded rapidly in the 20th century, adding new campuses and programs.

South Hall, UC Berkeley

Expansion

The University of California system expanded significantly in the mid-20th century, with the addition of campuses in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Riverside, San Diego, Irvine, Santa Cruz, and Davis. Each campus was established to serve the educational needs of California's growing population.

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UCSF in 1908

Medical and Professional Schools

The University of California also includes several professional and medical schools, such as the UCSF Medical Center, which is renowned for its research and teaching in the health sciences.

Campuses

The University of California system comprises ten campuses, each with its own unique character and strengths:

• UC Berkeley
• UCLA
• UC San Diego
• UC Santa Barbara
• UC Irvine
• UC Davis
• UC Riverside
• UC Santa Cruz
• UC Merced
• UCSF

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Powell Library, UCLA

Governance

The University of California is governed by a 26-member Board of Regents, which includes members appointed by the Governor of California, as well as ex officio members such as the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the Assembly.

Research and Innovation

The University of California is a leader in research and innovation, with numerous research centers and institutes across its campuses. It is known for its contributions to fields such as biotechnology, computer science, and environmental science.

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Animal Science Building, UC Davis

Notable Alumni and Faculty

The University of California has produced numerous notable alumni and faculty, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and leaders in various fields.

Related pages

• California State University
• California Community Colleges
• List of University of California campuses