The University of Massachusetts Amherst (otherwise known as UMass or UMass Amherst) is a public research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts and the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system. With 1,174 faculty members and more than 27,000 students, UMass Amherst is the largest public university in New England. The university offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees in 86 undergraduate and 72 graduate areas of study, through eight schools and colleges. The main campus is situated north of downtown Amherst, Massachusetts. In a 2009 article for MSN.com Amherst was ranked 1st in Best College Towns in the United States. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is categorized as a Research University with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. In 2009, UMass Amherst had research expenditures of $130 million. UMass Amherst sports teams are called the Minutemen and Minutewomen, the colors being maroon and white; the school mascot is Sam the Minuteman. All teams participate in NCAA Division I. The university is a member of the Atlantic Ten Conference, while playing ice hockey in Hockey East.