Who We Are

By the Numbers

With over 2600 students, 250 professorial faculty, $500,000 in scholarships, and $90 million in research grants and contracts, the College of Agricultural Sciences is an innovation leader.

Broadly Collaborative

The College is well known for its collaborations among state and federal agencies, and the College of Agricultural Sciences encourages low boundaries between disciplines and institutions. Our researchers and Extension faculty work closely with agency partners in EPA, USDA ARS, USGS, US Forest Service, US Navy, and many more.

Regional industries and commodity groups are important partners, too. Oregon’s remarkable agricultural diversity—with more than 220 commodities here—means that many commodity groups depend on OSU research and development to improve their varieties and expand their markets. Our plant breeding programs are among the most active, and most diverse, in the nation.

 

Research Pioneers

Our research spans the entire food system, from soil to shelf. Our fermentation sciences program is the first in the nation to include research and teaching facilities for brewing, distilling, wine-making, baking, and dairy processing. Our Food Innovation Center in Portland is one of nation’s first urban agricultural experiment stations.

Our students have opportunities to conduct important research in laboratories across campus, at branch experiment stations across the state, and at institutions around the world. Experiential learning is fundamental to all our students’ education. For those with a particular interest in biomedical or bioresource research, we offer one of the nation’s only undergraduate research degrees.

 

Diverse Programs & People

In addition to being a leading institution for food and agriculture, the College of Agricultural Sciences has top-ranked programs in fisheries & wildlife and environmental toxicology. The Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, with its world-renowned Marine Mammal Institute, is the nation’s first agricultural experiment station focused on marine and coastal resources. The college’s chemists and toxicologists lead the nation in the study of PAHs and effects on human health in five interrelated projects within the Superfund Research Program.

The diversity of disciplines within the college is matched by the diversity of our students and faculty. We work toward building access for all groups, for example through active participation in NSF Advance and OSU’s search advocacy training. Our sponsored student programs (MANRRS, SACNAS, CAMP) are among the top in the nation. We value our shared commitment to civil discourse and support of the individual. 

 

Enhancing Quality

Oregon is a beautiful state, with high standards of quality for food and the environment. The College of Agricultural Sciences is central to sustaining and enhancing those high standards.