The University of Northern California (UNC) is a highly selective graduate research institute that welcomes a small group of qualified students from around the world. UNC's academic and research focus is on graduate programs in biomedical technology and engineering that emphasize both theory and practical application.Integral to the University's educational emphasis and research expertise is UNC's Science & Technology Innovation Center (STIC). STIC functions as a product and business incubator that promotes original faculty and student research. In addition, STIC helps create businesses that manufacture and market these biomedical devices, thus creating jobs and revenue. Students gain firsthand knowledge of the biomedical device industry through their direct participation in the companies that STIC is incubating. A UNC student, therefore, has the opportunity to graduate with an over-all knowledge base that includes biomedical engineering theory, research, device creation, and business development.The UNC campus is located in the San Francisco Bay Area in the city of Santa Rosa, which is one of the largest and most scenic metropolitan regions of the United States. Beautiful beaches, redwood forests, wine country, mountain hiking trails, campgrounds, horseback riding facilities, and golf courses are just minutes away. Also within easy access from UNC are outstanding museums, restaurants, performing arts companies, cultural festivals, and major-league sports teams.