The University of Calgary (U of C or UCalgary) is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta. UCalgary started in 1945 as the Calgary branch of the University of Alberta, founded in 1908, prior to being instituted into a separate university in 1966. It is composed of 14 faculties and over 85 research institutes and centres. The main campus is located in the northwest quadrant of the city near the Bow River and a smaller south campus is located in the city center.