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Research

Hands working on a piece of equipment surrounded by a coastal environment

Francis Chan installs sensors in the intertidal zone at Otter Rock to monitor ocean acidification (photo by the Surfrider Foundation).

The College of Science promotes a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment to inspire discovery and foster innovation. We attract world-renowned scientists, award-winning teachers and promising, diverse students who are eager to discover solutions for the world’s toughest problems.

We are one of only two universities in the country with federal Land-, Sea-, Space- and Sun-Grant designations. These designations signal our commitment and ability to receive federal funding for research projects that benefit a larger community and teach the next generation about the importance of science. We are proud of the collective role we play in advancing the health of our people, our planet and our economy.

Our research is driven by boundless curiosity

From supernovae to superbugs, science faculty and students pursue both fundamental and applied research in over 100 labs across campus.

Areas of Distinction

We bring unique talent and capabilities to four key areas of interdisciplinary research with global distinction: Marine Science, Biomedical Science, Materials Science and Data Science. These areas represent our global impact in research vital to human and animal life health, the sustainability of our planet, a strong economy with start-ups and innovative market solutions and scientific discoveries that solve our most pressing problems.

We uncover new knowledge that addresses society's biggest challenges

Our faculty are passionate about what they do and the world they live in. They are eager to involve students in their research projects, both in the lab and out in the field. Our world-class facilities and dynamic hubs of innovation attract prominent, dedicated faculty from around the world.

Research by the numbers

184

Faculty

541

Graduate students in 2023-2024

23

University Distinguished Professors

18

AAAS fellows

2

National Academy of Science members

1

MacArthur Fellow

$24.2M

Secured in research funding in 2023-24

18

U.S. patents awarded since 2011

A student works with a professor in the lab glove box

Chemistry and Physics double major Collin Muniz works with his mentor May Nyman

Undergraduate research goes far beyond the classroom

Being part of a research team and finding solutions that no one has discovered before is what makes science come alive. Hands-on work gives students the opportunity to explore career paths while building professional and technical competencies — including highly sought after teamwork and communication skills — before they graduate. All science students are encouraged to participate in research as early as possible, whether by participating in our STEM Leaders program, applying for a SURE Science summer research grant, or working in one of the hundreds of active research labs and field expeditions on campus.

Low angle view of the Linus Pauling Science Center

105,000-square-foot teaching and research facility is named for Oregon State alumnus and two-time Nobel laureate Linus C. Pauling.

Our facilities promote outstanding teaching and research

Homes to innovation and collaboration

State-of-the-art facilities and interdisciplinary research centers provide our faculty and students with cutting-edge analytical capabilities and readily available expertise to support a wide range of projects. Where will your research lead?

We pursue discoveries that make a real difference

The College of Science plays a vital role in realizing the university’s vision to create big solutions from big discoveries, as embraced in “Prosperity Widely Shared: The Oregon State Plan.” Working together with scientists, entrepreneurs and our community, we harness the power of Team Science to make the world a healthier and more equitable place.