The University of Alabama, the State of Alabama's oldest public university, is a senior comprehensive doctoral-level institution. The University was established by constitutional provision under statutory mandates and authorizations. Its mission is to advance the intellectual and social condition of the people of the State through quality programs of teaching, research, and service.Activities to Support the MissionThe University of Alabama's activities emerge from a broad range of research and creative activities, many of which are recognized for their contributions to the economic, technological, and cultural growth of the State. Research and creative activity yields continuing stimulation for the instructional programs offered by the University's colleges and schools, supported by the Amelia Gorgas Library, a member of the Association of Research Libraries. At the undergraduate level, the University offers a broad range of baccalaureate programs in the arts and humanities, science and technology, pre-professional, and professional fields. A University-wide core curriculum provides a general education component as the keystone of every undergraduate program. Graduate programs, built on these undergraduate foundations, concentrate on the development of original scholarship, research, and creative activity. Professional programs, including the State's only public law school, prepare students with high levels of competence and for leadership roles. As one of the major residential campuses in the State, the University enhances the academic and personal growth of its students through its on-campus environment. Recognizing that education is a lifelong endeavor, the University offers an array of educational opportunities for non-traditional students.The University's research, creative activities, and instructional programs form a foundation for extensive service activities, establishing a number of partnerships with business, nonprofit organizations, and government through applications of new knowledge. These relationships often extend beyond the bounds of the State as the University assists developmental efforts at regional, national, and international levels.