Academic Units

Washington State University (WSU) Extension educators are the critical link between science and research generated at WSU and the hands-on work of growing food, fuel, and fiber. WSU Extension’s natural resource program helps landowners, agencies, businesses, and local governments more effectively manage and sustain these precious assets.

WSU Extension partners with local communities in a variety of ways to shore up local economies. Located in every county in the state, WSU Extension educators work with local leaders to help communities from Asotin to Aberdeen, from Colville to Kelso, survive and thrive.

Leveraging state and federal dollars with grants, WSU Extension programs help communities develop the infrastructure and amenities they need to remain economically viable and to improve the quality of life for local residents.

The study of animal sciences encompasses a variety of scientific disciplines that explain the functioning of biological systems related to livestock and other animal species. Research areas include: Behavior & Well-Being, Environment, Growth/Muscle/Meat Science, Nutrition, Reproductive Physiology.

Students majoring in the Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles experience the dynamic interface between design, merchandising, and consumer aspects of the apparel and textile industry. Within this department, students delve into the design, aesthetic, functional, social, cultural, economic, and production aspects of apparel and textile products. WSU has the only state supported bachelor’s and master’s degree program in the state.

From solar drying and pasteurization research in the 1970′s to today’s emphasis on biological waste analysis and treatment, chemical transport through soils, food engineering, bioenergy, bioproducts, and more, Biological Systems Engineering has a long history of technical environmental stewardship, research and education. Research areas include: Bioenergy and Bioproducts Engineering, Food Engineering, Land, Air, Water & Environmental Engineering, Agricultural Automation Engineering.

The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at WSU serves the Land Grant tradition by offering nationally competitive undergraduate and graduate education programs, conducting fundamental and applied plant and soil research, and extending the science of our disciplines to serve the public. Research Areas:
Crop Genetics, Production and Sustainable Agriculture, Soil and Water in the Environment, Turf Science and Management, Education Development and Assessment

Entomology Research Areas include:

Integrating Biological Control into existing and developing Integrated Pest Management programs

Addressing the Pesticide Issues & Questions of our Constituencies

Providing Quality Education in Basic Life Sciences using insects as a Model Animal System.

The Entomology Department includes the Food & Environmental Quality Laboratory (FEQL) located in the Tri-Cities. FEQL works to ensure the quality and safety of food, the long-term sustainability of our food-producing lands and surrounding environment, and the economic viability of the agriculture and food industries of Washington State.

The Department of Horticulture has fully integrated programs in teaching, research, and extension. The WSU Horticulture program is among the top ten programs in the U.S., and WSU plant science researchers are among the most productive in the nation. Research includes tree fruit across the state, stone fruit, potatoes, variety of post harvest avenues, viticulture and enology, vegetables, and geographic information.

Human Development faculty members are involved in a wide range of research topics on children, adolescents, their families, and their communities. These interdisciplinary projects provide undergraduate and graduate students with numerous opportunities to actively participate in cutting-edge research on important topics.

The Department of Plant Pathology studies ALL major groups of pathogens that cause diseases in plants —fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes using a variety of methods including genomics, proteomics, applied ecology, and host-pathogen interactions. Research is conducted at five locations in the State of Washington-the Pullman campus and experiment stations in Mount Vernon, Prosser, Puyallup, and Wenatchee. Over 300 crops are grown in Washington. Plant pathology is indispensable to the continued health of these crops and the agricultural economy of the state.

The Institute of Biological Chemistry does fundamental research in the molecular biology and biochemistry of plants. Although studies are conducted in a wide variety of areas, work at the Institute focuses on basic plant research that may have potential applications in forestry and agricultural biotechnology.

The School of Economic Sciences seeks to achieve research excellence in environmental and resource economics, international trade, markets, and development; transportation policy; and the economics of agribusiness systems and biotechnology. Additional research areas of particular strength are econometrics and the economics of sports, production, health, labor, and regions.

International Marketing Program for Agriculture Commodities and Trade (IMPACT)
Associated with the School of Economic Sciences IMPACT provides Washington agricultural exporters with the science and technology they need to be successful in today’s global market by utilizing the expertise of university scientists in research, education and communication to solve marketing problems and transfer technology to agricultural exporters.

A WSU centerpiece on global change and its effects, the School of the Environment strengthens the outstanding academic endeavors and scientific research already happening at Washington State University. By bringing Earth sciences, ecosystem and natural resource ecology, sustainability sciences and social sciences under the same umbrella, the school will increase team-based research and scholarly output while also providing cutting-edge training for the next generation of scientists, resource managers, policy makers, and well-informed global citizens.

The ever-expanding field of food science encompasses a wide range of careers in food-related work, the nation’s largest occupational sector. The School of Food Science is recognized for excellence in both undergraduate and graduate education for individuals interested in these fields. You can work side by side with faculty who care about your success and academic experience.

WSU Extension’s youth and family programs improve the capacity of young people to be successful while strengthening their families to support healthy development.