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Discover CALS

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

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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

16

Departments

7 departments shared with other Cornell colleges and schools

2

Schools

The Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management
and the School of Integrative Plant Science

$275M

Total research expenditures

FY 2023

4,020

Undergraduate students

950

Graduate students

350

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. 

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people discussing plants

Teaching passion-driven minds

Learn about a CALS education
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Purpose-driven science in action

Explore our research
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Sharing knowledge with the community

Learn about outreach and extension

Learn more about CALS

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Latest news, discoveries and breakthroughs

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

Desert landscape

News

Climate change lowers precipitation, prolongs drought in Southwest

Researchers found that human-caused climate change and air pollution have directly reduced precipitation in the Southwestern U.S., making drought inevitable.

  • Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
  • Climate Change
Young calf

News

Dairy farm modeling tool boosts sustainability, decision-making

The Ruminant Farm Systems modeling tool is available for open-source collaboration, and is available, free of charge, to all U.S. dairy farmers through the National Dairy FARM Program.

  • Cornell Atkinson
  • PRO-DAIRY
  • Animal Science
Gene for enzyme in saliva associated with Type 2 diabetes

News

Gene for enzyme in saliva associated with Type 2 diabetes

Eventual proof of a clear association between genes that express a salivary enzyme and Type 2 diabetes could lead to genetically testing people at birth to predict their susceptibility.

  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Health + Nutrition
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