The University of Michigan (UM, U-M, U of M, UMich, or Michigan) is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Founded in 1817 by an act of the old Michigan Territory, as the Catholepistemiad, or the University of Michigania, Michigan has ranked among the top universities in the United States by college and university rankings. The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". Michigan offers doctoral degrees in the humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) as well as professional degrees in architecture, business, medicine, law, public policy, pharmacy, nursing, social work, public health, and dentistry. The university is a founding member of the Association of American Universities.