This is the 11312th most frequent Russian word.
департаментов
"Departments" (genitive plural form).
In this sentence, "департаментов" is used in the plural genitive case to refer to the departments that are subject to study, indicating their relationship as genitive plural.
Мы изучали работу различных департаментов в университете.
We studied the workings of various departments at the university.
Here, "департаментов" identifies the departments whose staff participated, again in the plural genitive case, showing affiliation or ownership.
Сотрудники департаментов приняли участие в конференции.
The employees of the departments participated in the conference.
"Департаментов" in this context also represents the departments in the genitive plural form, indicating whose problems were being discussed.