The University of California is centrally located in Northern California that was first founded as an agricultural branch of the system in 1905 and became the seventh campus of the University of California in 1959. UC Davis is known for its outstanding programs in the biological and agricultural sciences, along with numerous other programs in engineering, the social sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and the arts and humanities are also popular and highly prestigious. The campus itself is about 5,500 acres, including the experimental agriculture plots, a central quadrangle, hundreds of beautiful shade trees, and an arboretum on the banks of Putah Creek running through the southern side of the campus. UC Davis faculty and graduate programs attract highly qualified students from diverse educational, social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.