The history of the creation of the Science Department in Moscow State Hydro-Melioration Institute (MHMI) starts on the 10th of May 1944, when by Decree of the Council of People's Commissars № 10931-r the Scientific Research Bureau (SRB) was established.
    In October of 1960 MHMI was attached as a Faculty to the Moscow K. A. Timiriazev Agricultural Academy. SRB was converted to в Scientific Research Sector (SRS).
    In accordance with the Order of State Food Commission of the Council of Ministers of the USSR of Nov 22 1990 SRS was converted to Scientific Research Department.
    As Heads of the Departments at various times stood Prof. A. A. Bogushevskiy, E. E. Ovcharov, V. A. Surin, K. P. Arent, Docents N. A. Gretsov, B. E. Vedeniapin 

    The University with its Academic and Post-Graduate potential performs fundamental  Scientific Research with the results used in the Educational Process and in the National Economy.
    The Basic Scientific subdivision of the University is the Science and Research Department, which includes:
- Science and Research Sector;
- Chairs, Laboratories, Computer Classes;
- Problem Research  Laboratory;
- Special Scientific Research Laboratories;
- Patents and Licenses Department;
- Editorial abd Publishing Department;
- Post-Graduate and Post-Doctorate Department;
- Scientific Student Society.
    In total the SRD supervises and directs the activities of 43 structural subdivisions (including 38 Chairs), which perform R&D, create Scientific and Technical Production and assist with consultative services. Currently in the University 337 Academics, 12 Staff Researchers, 214 Post-Graduates, Post-Doctorates and more than 200 students are engaged in Scientific Research.
    Scientific and Experimental Construction Research in the University is performed on the basic orientations of the development of AIC (Melioration, Re-cultivation, conservation and improvement of the soil fertility, mechanization of Hydro-Melioration), Water Management, Hydro-Technical Work, Ecological Safety etc. The main orientations of the R&D are determined by taking into account the program of preparation of staff and in accordance with the plans of R&D-EC of the Ministry of Agriculture, MES, State Committee of Ecology (till 2000), Russian Academy of Agriculture, Russian Academy of Sciences, and various Federal Programs most of which were developed with the participation of the leading Scientists of the University. To the list of such programs belong "Melioration and Hydrotechnics", "Fertility", "Revitalization of Volga", "Drinking Water", "Fightging the Floods", "Ecological Safety of Ural", "Improvement of the ecological conditions and health of the population of Samara Region", "Caspian Sea", "Farmer" etc.
    The Main Orientations of R&D include:
- Solution of the theoretical and methodical problems of complex Melioration in Systems of  Adaptive-Landscape Agriculture n the main Soil & Climate Zones of the country ("Agricultural Melioration");
- Development and implementation of a System of Ecological Standardization and Agro-Ecological Requirements of Melioration and Re-cultivation of Lands in the steppe, dry-steppe and  semi-desert zones of the country ("Ecology");
- Environmental Engineering of Territories: Development and implementation of an Ecologically and Financially feasible Technologies of Melioration and Re-cultivation of Lands, optimization of Melioration and structure of use of Agro-Landscapes, and also a System of measures for conservation of protected territories ("Conservation of the Environment and Rational Utilization of Natural Resources");
- Development and implementation of a System of methods of evaluation and  substantiation of the state of Hydro-Objects and Hydro-Technical Constructions, calculation of their criteria safety under operational conditions, prognosis of emergent situations, methods of Eco-Hydrological and Economic substantiation of Engineering and Adaptive measures for Protection of Territories from Floods and Frost ("Hydro-Technical and Melioration Constructions");
- Hydraulics of Large Canals, Pipe-lines and Hydro-Technical Constructions ("Hydraulics and Engineering Hydrology");
- Improvement of the System of Hydro-Melioration Machinery, Development of working parts of standard tractors for construction and technical exploitation of Melioration Systems. Development and implementation of saving Energy Technological Processes of remaking of parts, repairing machines, optimization of the number of machines and technical service of Melioration and Building Machinery ("Agricultural and Melioration Machinery");
- Development of measures for the improvement of  reliability of Water Supply Systems and rational ways of  preparation of water ("Water Supply, Canalization, Engineering Systems for Protection of Water Supply");
- Engineering Substantiation and Evaluation of the State of Industrial and Civil Constructions and other building and objects ("Constructions");
- Economics and Administration of Water Management and use of Natural Resources ("Economics and Administration of Water Management");
- Applied Hydrogeology;
- Philosophical Issues of Environmental Engineering and Use of Natural Resources. Political Institutions and Society, Discrete Mathematics;
- Improvement of the System of preparation of Engineering and Academic Staff for the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Natural Resources, MES on the basis of the extensive use of the results of the Fundamental and Applied Research performed in the University, computerization and wider use of Information Technology in the Educational Process;
- Improvement of the system of Professional Development of the Specialists in AIC, and also the High School Teachers in General and Engineering Ecology and in Environmental Engineering.
    The orientations of the Scientific activities in the University corresponds to the profile of preparation of Engineering and Academic Staff. The results of the Scientific Research and Development are extensively used in the Educational Process for the preparation of lectures, seminars, in the Laboratories, for Course Assignments and Diplomas, writing Monographs, Text-Books and Teaching Aids. Laboratory and Course Assignments contain elements of R&D, part of the Diploma Assignments (about 3-5%) are commissioned by various enterprises, the results of the work by students is recommended for implementation in Production.
    The financing of R&D in the last 5 years is comprised of the resources received from the contracts with some enterprises and organizations - about 30%, own resources - about 25% and due to International and Russian Grants - about 30%. State Budget provides about 15% of the total. The finances of State R&D Institutions are made up of the money allocated by the Ministry of Agriculture of RF and of a part of the salary budget (20%). The financing of the Contract R&D Institutions is made up of the Contracts with various Organizations and of Grants 
 

    In general the Department manages and directs the activities of all Chairs and other structural subdivisions, as mentioned above (see Section 2. Science).
    Prominent Scientists of the University participate in the activities of various International Organizations (IAHR, ЕSSC and other), and contribute as Experts in various State Councils, Committees and Social Organizations (State Ecological Council, Expert Safety Center ГТС, Highest Attestation Commission of the Ministry of Education of RF, Russian Ecological Congress and other. 
 

    The University maintains links with foreign Educational Establishments: Poland, Germany, Hungary, China, Thailand, Moldova and other.
    The Scientists of the University successfully work on International Grants with organizations in USA, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Australia, Israel, India, Uzbekistan as well as with Russian Universities and R&D Institutes: University of Saratov, State University of Land Management, Dokuchaev Soil R&D Institute, Institute of Natural and Cultural Heritage etc. 
 

    Student R&D is performed within the framework of the Scientific Student Society. Currently about 200 Post-Graduates and Post-Doctorates and more than 200 students are engaged in R&D. Every year in April a Student Conference takes place and 10-15% of the participants (Students and their Supervisors) are awarded Honorary Diplomas with some financial encouragement. The best works are sent to Regional Scientific Conferences and other Scientific events.