The University of Idaho and Washington State University are merging their respective food science departments to create a new school.

The partnership, which has been approved by both universities’ governing bodies, will focus on food safety, processing and chemistry, with an emphasis on dairy. It’s hoped that the merger will benefit the Northwest’s $17 billion food processing industry, students and consumers through expanded cooperation.

The two universities are searching for a new director for the School of Food Science, whose combined faculty will number about 25 and with an enrollment of about 75 undergraduate and 35 graduate students. Students will take required food science courses at each institution and their diplomas will be awarded by their home universities.