The University of Nevada , Reno was established in 1874 as the state's flagship land-grant research institution. The university offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in 186 areas of study through 10 colleges and independent schools. Its growing research acumen is recognized across the globe, with its 700 instructional and research faculty garnering a record $130 million in externally sponsored grants and contracts during the 2005 fiscal year. Each year, university faculty members and many of their students participate in more than 900 such sponsored projects, earning the institution the highest ranking for research and scholarship from the Carnegie