Cornell seal
Back

Discover CALS

See how our current work and research is bringing new thinking and new solutions to some of today's biggest challenges.

Silver canisters with dark samples inside.

About CALS

Cornell CALS is a premier institution of scientific learning, tackling the complex challenges of our time through purpose-driven science.

You want to change the world. So do we.

We are a community with a common goal: to leave the world better than we found it. Ambitious? Sure. But Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has been changing the world for over a century and will continue to do so into the future.

Founded in agriculture and focused on life, we are pioneers who have shaped contemporary science and eagerly embraced international opportunity, while always serving the people in the state of New York.

Our purpose

This is the charge that motivates us: CALS tackles the challenges of our times through purpose-driven science that advances understanding and improves life.

CALS at a glance

14

Departments

8 departments shared with other Cornell colleges and schools

3

Schools

The Ashley School of Global Development & the Environment, the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management and the School of Integrative Plant Science

$293M

Total research expenditures

FY 2025

4,180

Undergraduate students

942

Graduate students

306

Faculty

We seek answers in order to find the next questions.

Our mission

These are our objectives and how we accomplish them: As a premier institution of scientific learning, we connect the life, agricultural, environmental and social sciences to provide world-class education, spark unexpected discoveries and inspire pioneering solutions.

What we do

We are actively pursuing our mission to serve the public through our education, research and extension/outreach efforts. 

researchers examining turf grass
people discussing plants

Teaching passion-driven minds

Learn about a CALS education
Scientist and student with computers

Purpose-driven science in action

Explore our research
researchers in field

Sharing knowledge with the community

Learn about outreach and extension

Learn more about CALS

View more

Latest news, discoveries and breakthroughs

Explore the work we’re doing today and discover how it’s reshaping tomorrow.

Fungi

News

Fungi nutrient sensing breakthrough may aid green tech, disease control

Fungal diseases can contribute up to 20% of staple crop losses and drug-resistant fungal infections lead to some 3.8 million human deaths, globally per year.

  • School of Integrative Plant Science
  • Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section
panel of grape leaf samples

News

‘HyperBird’ spots grape diseases before they’re visible

The cutting-edge imaging platform observes microscopic traits in plants and can detect grape diseases that cost vineyard owners billions in annual losses globally.

  • Cornell AgriTech
  • School of Integrative Plant Science
  • Horticulture Section
Microscopy image of a mutant flower bud with wrinkled and irregular sepals

News

Wrinkled or smooth? Cell growth mechanics determine shape of plant organs

This discovery could help engineer living materials into different forms, such as the custom of growing bridges from roots in India, and breeding kale so it’s smooth instead of crinkly.

  • School of Integrative Plant Science
  • Plant Biology Section
  • Plants
View more news & stories