phd in soil science

• Cornell University Home
• College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Home

School of Integrative Plant Science

MS/PhD Field of Soil & Crop Sciences

Developing sustainable agricultural systems for a growing population.

Graduate study in Cornell's Integrative School of Plant Science is organized into five Graduate Fields providing unparalleled opportunities to connect disciplines, creatively solve problems, and integrate complex systems, preparing graduates for diverse careers and futures as leaders in science and society.

Students in the Field of Soil & Crop Sciences work on projects ranging from advancing management practices for sustainable field crop production, soil biogeochemistry in relation to climate change and environmental concerns, geospatial land processes, and molecular genomic aspects of crop plants and soil microbes. Many faculty members research international agricultural and environmental issues in tropical and subtropical regions. Most faculty advisors in the Field of Soil & Crop Sciences are affiliated with the Section of Soil & Crop Sciences in the School of Integrative Plant Science.

Grand Challenge Fellowships

The School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) is offering four two-year fellowships to graduate students for research tackling our  Grand Challenges .

• Fellowships are for August 2024 admission.
• Application deadline is December 1, 2023.  (November 15, 2023 for Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology.)
• More information.

Apply to the Graduate Field of Soil and Crop Sciences

• Apply (Cornell Graduate School Application)
• Graduate Field of Soil and Crop Sciences application information

Graduate Field Concentrations

The MS/PhD Graduate Field of Soil & Crop Sciences offers four concentrations:

• Soil Science
• Field Crop Science
• Environmental Information Systems

Learn more about our graduate concentrations

Development of improved management practices with an integrated consideration of field crops and soils. Cropping systems and farming systems that sustain or enhance the soil resource base are investigated. Economic, sociological and environmental impacts of various field crops and cropping systems also may be evaluated.

Weed Science

Integrated weed management involving ways that biotic and abiotic factors affect weed population and community dynamics, and seed dormancy. Weed control recommendations, herbicide residues and resistant biotypes.

Seed Science

Examination of the factors and mechanisms which regulate seed dormancy, long-term storage and germination for seeds and other systems of plant propagation.

Integrative Crop and Soil Management

Evaluation of environmental, biotic, and management interactions that influence the growth, development, yield, and quality of corn, soybeans, and wheat. Management of forages for maximum economic returns and minimum soil erosion and nitrate losses with environmentally safe management practices.

Field experiments to develop methods for measuring and improving forage quality, production, and animal performance; best management practices for corn, soybeans, and wheat.

Biofuels Production

Examination of agronomic and economic sustainability of grass as a bioenergy source.

Crop Physiology and Molecular Biology

Mechanisms by which drought and other environmental stresses and climate change factors arrest sink-organ development (especially kernels and other storage organs), affect flowering and reproductive organ development, alter phytohormone levels and modify the expression of gene products involved in environmental responses. Mechanisms used to detoxify heavy metals; genes involved in synthesis, transport and regulation of interacting pathways.

Precision Agriculture

Nutrient management using spatial information and field-based analytical instruments for use in precision agriculture.

The Soil Science Concentration focuses on the processes and properties of the soil environment. It emphasizes improving the suitability of soil for crop growth while preserving its value as a natural resource by using ecologically sound approaches.

Soil Science, Soil Biology and Microbial Ecology

Effects of agricultural management practices on soil ecology and soil microbial processes. Particular research topics include: the development of soil health diagnostics; the impact of soil microbial diversity and community composition on agroecological function; and the use of environmental genomics to identify and characterize novel microorganisms in soils.

Soil and Water Management

Managing water quality and quantity in rural communities; comparing private and public options.

Analytical Soil Chemistry

Predictive tests for trace elements in soils; trace element uptake by grasses and forage legumes treated with sludge; biogeochemical behavior of cadmium and zinc in natural landscapes and soils

Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management

Assessment of nitrogen and phosphorus cycle processes in agricultural soils with respect to enhancing plant nutrient uptake. Specific research topics include: improve fertilizer N recovery by crops; the functions and dynamics of soil organic matter; appropriate practices for management of soil organic matter; on-farm nutrient management and improving profitability and competitiveness of New York farms while protecting the environment.

Soil Biogeochemistry

Analysis of nutrient and carbon turnover in soils with regard to fluxes within soils and across ecosystem boundaries to aquatic ecosystems. Research topics include: carbon sequestration in the context of climate change and black carbon dynamics; using synchrotron-based NEXAFS and FTIR for the micro- and nano-scale observation of biogeochemical cycles in soils.

Soil Physics/Environmental Biophysics

Development of soil physical tests to determine soil quality; examination of natural porous media; transport theories; the effect of microorganisms (in particular, bacteria and protozoa) on the transport properties of soils and aquifer materials; the exchange of cations on clays and soils; the interplay between exchange and transport of electrolytes in natural porous media; and the influence of exchangeable cations on the interaction forces between soil colloids.

The concentration offers interdisciplinary study in geospatial environmental information systems to advance our understanding of biophysical processes and the sustainable development and management of Earth resources.

Karin Jantz Graduate Field Coordinator 233 Emerson Hall Phone: 607-255-4075 Email: kpg2 [at] cornell.edu (kpg2[at]cornell[dot]edu)

Matt Ryan Director of Graduate Studies 1113 Bradfield Hall 607-255-4964 mrr232 [at] cornell.edu (mrr232[at]cornell[dot]edu)

Program metrics, demographics and outcomes

Select the graduate field of interest from the pull-down menu on the linked page

• Graduate Field program statistics
• Career outcomes

More information about graduate study in Soil & Crop Sciences

See these links for information specific to MS/PhD studies in the Field of Soil & Crop Sciences

• Faculty in the Field of Soil & Crop Sciences
• More about the SIPS Section of Soil & Crop Sciences
• Recent theses in the Field of Soil & Crop Sciences
• Meet our Soil and Crop Sciences graduate students
• Field Requirements in Soil & Crop Sciences
• SCS Graduate Student Association

Learn more about graduate study in SIPS

Five interrelated Graduate Fields are associated with the School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) with many resources common to all

• Financial Support
• NSF Research Traineeship
• Schmittau-Novak Small Grants Program
• SIPS People
• Campuses and Facilities
• SIPS Graduate Student Council

• Skip to Content
• Catalog Home
• Soil Science, Ph.D.

The UW–Madison Department of Soil Science is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent soil science departments in the United States. It is globally renowned for its excellence in soil research and education. The department's mission is to provide instruction, research, and extension leadership in soil chemistry, physics, biology, and pedology to economic and sustainable land use. Programs are designed to improve basic understanding and practical management of soil resources in natural, agricultural, and urban ecosystems, and to serve local, state, national, and global interests. The department implements the Wisconsin Idea to the extended community and provides all generations with an appreciation of soil as a key natural resource and thorough understanding of the scientific basis of the environment and agriculture.

Soil science entails understanding soils and applying the principles of physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology to the sustainable management of soil and the environment. Soil science deals with the effects of climate change and its interaction with the soil, with scarcity of water resources, and the increase of food production to feed 9 billion people. The link between soils and biodiversity as well as the effects of soils on biofuel production is widely researched in the Department of Soil Science.

The department is committed to integrated programs of instruction, research, extension, and outreach that address societal goals of responsible stewardship of soil and water resources.

The importance of soils in crop production, environmental issues, turf and grounds management, soil conservation, global climate change, carbon sequestration, rural and urban planning, and waste disposal are integrated into the department's course offerings and research programs. Graduate study in soil science provides the basic and applied scientific training needed for teaching, research, and other professional work in the agricultural, earth, and environmental sciences. The department office provides information concerning career placement and available vacancies.

Graduates from the department occupy leading positions in industry, government, education, and research in agriculture, natural resources and environmental science throughout the world. Of the more than 1,000 alumni of the department's graduate program, many are deans, directors, chairs, faculty, and staff at universities in the US and other countries, or in leading positions in government, regulatory agencies, research institutions, agribusinesses, chemical industries, and recreational and conservation organizations.

The number of graduate students enrolled in the program over the past 10 years has averaged 20 per year, with about half pursuing master's degrees and half pursuing doctorates. International students generally comprise about 30% of the total. Department faculty also direct additional graduate students in multidisciplinary research in soils-related programs.

Faculty Research

Research in the department focuses on an improved understanding of the soil, as well as on interactions between soil and the people of Wisconsin. The faculty have extensive and long-term experience and knowledge about the soils of Wisconsin, their genesis, properties and management. The department has an exciting suite of research activities ranging from the molecular level to the global. Research focuses on topical themes like climate change and soil changes to land use effects of biofuel production to DNA fingerprinting of soil life.

Many field-research projects on soil and water problems are conducted in cooperation with state and federal agencies, agribusinesses, municipalities, and private farmers. The department cooperates closely with the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, and the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service in conducting soil surveys and addressing problems of groundwater shortages and contamination. Relationships between soils and forests are studied at tree nurseries and in state, private, and commercial forests throughout the state in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the pulp and paper industry.

Through a long commitment of our staff to international agriculture, the department has assisted in the creation of agricultural colleges in several developing countries and has attracted outstanding international graduate students. Current research involvement includes Brazil, Chile, China, Trinidad-Tobago, Spain, Australia, Argentina, and Antarctica.

Many department faculty have been recognized nationally and globally for their contributions to soil science. Three of only four soil scientists appointed to the National Academy of Sciences are from the UW–Madison Department of Soil Science. Several faculty members have received local and national academic, professional-society, trade-association, and industrial prizes and awards for teaching, research, and extension education and serve on important state, national, and international committees. Many faculty members have been recognized for their contributions by election to honorary fellowship in the Soil Science Society of America, the American Society of Agronomy, and allied professional societies.

Our faculty are heavily involved in cooperative interdisciplinary research undertakings with scientists and organizations within and beyond the university, such as UW–Madison's Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program, and other science departments, state agencies, environmental consulting and service companies, agribusinesses, and trade organizations.

RESEARCH FACILITIES

Research in the department can be conducted in the field, in the laboratory, and behind the desktop, but is commonly conducted in a combination. The department is equipped with all necessary laboratory, computing, and field facilities for graduate training and research. State-of-the-art scientific instrumentation includes soil moisture tension apparatus; flame-emission and atomic-absorption spectrophotometers and gamma-ray spectrometers; neutron activation analysis equipment; an inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-emission spectrometer and an ICP-mass spectrometer; thin-layer, high-performance liquid, gas, and ion chromatographs; low-mass isotope ratio mass spectrometer; micro-respirometers; micro-titer-plate counters; infrared and ultraviolet spectrophotometers; phase-contrast, polarizing and epifluorescence microscopy and photomicrography equipment; eddy correlation systems for heat, moisture, and CO2 fluxes; ground-penetrating radar; high-resolution digital imaging; dynamic light scattering and particle electrophoresis equipment; flow field flow fractionation; and accelerated solvent extractor. Field equipment includes a truck-mounted hydraulic soil probe with well-drilling capabilities; a plot-field harvest combine; various production field equipment (planters, tillage equipment, rainfall simulator); differential-global position system; and particle counter.

Excellent data-collection, data logging, computing, and networking facilities are available for basic research and graduate training. In addition to computing facilities maintained by individual researchers for their students, the department makes available to its graduate students a computer graphics facility for the production of sophisticated graphic output.

Specialized facilities are available for research in molecular biology, modern environmental microbiology, in vitro toxicology and bioassays, and contaminated-site remediation. Soils graduate students and faculty have shared access to major advanced physicochemical, x-ray, and electron microscopy analytical equipment through the Materials Science Center, National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratories, and other UW–Madison science and engineering departments. Facilities, vehicles, machinery, and instrumentation are available for conducting field experiments at ten strategically located UW Agricultural Research Stations and the O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research and Education Facility. Fieldwork for agricultural production and environmental protection is supported by daily information from the CALS agricultural weather-station network as well as soils, crops, land-use, and natural resources analysis using land information systems and geographic information systems.

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online .

To ensure consideration for fall semester, students should apply by January 5. Rolling admission may also occur if new funding becomes available.

To ensure consideration for spring semester, students should apply by October 15. Rolling admission may also occur if new funding becomes available.

A foundation in the basic sciences is essential for graduate study in soil science. The program requires all students to have successfully completed the pre-requisite or equivalent coursework listed below. Admission with deficiencies is possible but is likely to delay completion of graduate studies.

Pre-requisite Coursework

The following courses are generally completed in an undergraduate program; however, if these requirements have not been met, they will need to be satisfied during the Ph.D. program.

Application Materials

The following materials must be submitted when applying to the program: an online application, official transcripts, and three references. TOEFL scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English. Because graduate requirements presuppose extensive science coursework, continuing undergraduate students are encouraged to select undergraduate courses carefully if they are considering advanced degrees in soil science.

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.  Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

Financial support is usually available to qualified students in the form of research assistantships, mostly funded from research grants; final decision for granting a research assistantship rests with the professor(s) supervising the research. Any assistantship for at least one-third time qualifies a student for remission of tuition (though students may be responsible for other administrative fees). The department does not offer teaching assistantships. A number of Graduate School fellowships are available to new students with outstanding records. The deadline for application for these competitive fellowships is early January of each year. The department selects the most qualified applicants and forwards their dossiers to a campus-wide selection committee. Support for graduate assistantships is available through two Wisconsin Distinguished Fellowships (the W.R. Kussow/Wisconsin Turfgrass Association and the Leo M. Walsh/Wisconsin Fertilizer and Chemical Association), the C.B. Tanner Agricultural Physics Award Fund, and the Charles and Alice Ream Soil and Water Protection Research Fund. In addition, there are two awards given annually to outstanding incoming graduate students, the O.N. Allen Graduate Fellowship for Agriculture and the Kelling Soil Fertility Award.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Major requirements.

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements , in addition to the program requirements listed below.

MODE OF INSTRUCTION

Mode of instruction definitions.

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

Required courses.

 All Ph.D. candidates must present at least two seminars in SOIL SCI 728 for a letter grade >/= B or equivalent during Ph.D. program. One of the seminars must be on the student's prospectus. Each candidate must enroll in SOIL SCI 728 every fall and spring semester; exceptions require the approval of the department chair.

 All candidates pursuing a Soil Science Ph.D. shall complete a minimum of 1 credit of SOIL SCI 799 . A written plan for satisfying this requirement shall be prepared by the student in conjunction with the advisor and approved by the Certification Committee. The type and level of effort required to earn one or more degree credits in SOIL SCI 799 shall be in accordance with the guidelines and standards set forth by the CALS Curriculum Committee and approved by the UW Divisional Committees in the Spring Semester 1981.

 Ph.D. candidates are required to enroll in at least 1 credit of SOIL SCI 990 every semester. Students may take beyond 14 credits, but they do not count toward the program minimum requirements.

Graduate School Policies

The  Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures  provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.

Major-Specific Policies

Prior coursework, graduate work from other institutions.

With program approval, students are allowed to count no more than 12 credits of graduate coursework taken during graduate study at other institutions. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements. Students may petition the department for an appeal of the ten year limit on a case-by-case basis.

UW–Madison Undergraduate

With program approval, students are allowed to count no more than 7 credits of graduate coursework numbered 300 or above from a UW–Madison undergraduate degree. The coursework may also count toward the 50% graduate coursework requirement if the courses are numbered 700 or above. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements. Students may petition the department for an appeal of the ten year limit on a case-by-case basis.

UW–Madison University Special

With program approval, students are allowed to count no more than 15 credits of coursework numbered 300 or above taken as a UW–Madison University Special student. The coursework may also count toward the 50% graduate coursework requirement if the courses are numbered 700 or above. coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements. Students may petition the department for an appeal of the ten year limit on a case-by-case basis.

The Graduate School regularly reviews the record of any student who earned grades of BC, C, D, F, or Incomplete in a graduate course (300 or above), or grade of U in research credits. This review could result in academic probation with a hold on future enrollment or in being suspended from the Graduate School.

ADVISOR / COMMITTEE

The Doctoral Committee, chosen by the student and major professor, is a committee of four or more members representing more than one graduate program, three of whom must be UW-Madison graduate faculty or former UW-Madison graduate faculty up to one year after resignation or retirement. At least one of the four members must be from outside of the student’s major program or major field (often the minor field) and approved by the Certification Committee. A minimum of two must be from the Soil Science faculty. At least three committee members must be designated as readers. Representation of the Minor Department (see Graduate Minor Requirements in the handbook) is at the option of the Minor Department, but the Department of Soil Science recommends that the Minor Professor be on the Committee.

The required fourth member of the Doctoral Committee, as well as any additional members, all retain voting rights. They may be from any of the following categories, as approved by the executive committee: graduate faculty, faculty from a department without a graduate program, academic staff (including emeritus faculty), visiting faculty, faculty from other institutions, scientists, research associates, and other individuals deemed qualified by the Executive Committee (or its equivalent) provided the individual has a Ph.D. degree or its equivalent.

It is the responsibility of the student and the Major Professor to form a Doctoral Committee and schedule a meeting before the end of the second semester (not including summer sessions) of Ph.D. graduate work.

A student who does not meet deadline requirements in this document will not be allowed to register in the subsequent semester until a written plan for meeting the requirements has been approved by their major advisor and the department Certification Committee.

CREDITS PER TERM ALLOWED

Time constraints.

Prospectus: The written prospectus and the prospectus seminar must be completed by the end of the third semester (not including summer sessions).

Preliminary exam: Students who obtain their M.S. degree in the department and who continue in the department for their doctorate must take the preliminary examination by the end of the fourth semester (not including summer sessions) of Ph.D. graduate work. Candidates who are approved to retake a failed examination must have passed by the end of the fifth semester.

Candidates for the Ph.D. degree who obtained an M.S. or M.A. degree elsewhere, must take the Preliminary Examination by the end of the fourth semester (not including summer sessions) of Ph.D. graduate work. Candidates who are approved to retake a failed examination must have passed by the end of the fifth semester.

Candidates who do not adhere to this deadline must show justification for the delay to the department certification committee.

Final oral exam and deposit of dissertation: A candidate for a doctoral degree who fails to take the final oral examination and deposit the dissertation within five years after passing the preliminary examination may by require to take another preliminary examination and to be admitted to candidacy a second time.

grievances and appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting  
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Dean of Students Office (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
• Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
• Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
• Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
• Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
• Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences: Grievance Policy  

In the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), any student who feels unfairly treated by a member of the CALS faculty or staff has the right to complain about the treatment and to receive a prompt hearing. Some complaints may arise from misunderstandings or communication breakdowns and be easily resolved; others may require formal action. Complaints may concern any matter of perceived unfairness.

To ensure a prompt and fair hearing of any complaint, and to protect the rights of both the person complaining and the person at whom the complaint is directed, the following procedures are used in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Any student, undergraduate or graduate, may use these procedures, except employees whose complaints are covered under other campus policies.

• The student should first talk with the person at whom the complaint is directed. Most issues can be settled at this level. Others may be resolved by established departmental procedures.
• If the complaint involves an academic department in CALS the student should proceed in accordance with item 3 below.
• If the grievance involves a unit in CALS that is not an academic department, the student should proceed in accordance with item 4 below.
• If informal mediation fails, the student can submit the grievance in writing to the grievance advisor within 10 working days of the date the student is informed of the failure of the mediation attempt by the grievance advisor. The grievance advisor will provide a copy to the person at whom the grievance is directed.
• The grievance advisor will refer the complaint to a department committee that will obtain a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed, providing a copy to the student. Either party may request a hearing before the committee. The grievance advisor will provide both parties a written decision within 20 working days from the date of receipt of the written complaint.
• If the grievance involves the department chairperson, the grievance advisor or a member of the grievance committee, these persons may not participate in the review.
• If not satisfied with departmental action, either party has 10 working days from the date of notification of the departmental committee action to file a written appeal to the CALS Equity and Diversity Committee. A subcommittee of this committee will make a preliminary judgement as to whether the case merits further investigation and review. If the subcommittee unanimously determines that the case does not merit further investigation and review, its decision is final. If one or more members of the subcommittee determine that the case does merit further investigation and review, the subcommittee will investigate and seek to resolve the dispute through mediation. If this mediation attempt fails, the subcommittee will bring the case to the full committee. The committee may seek additional information from the parties or hold a hearing. The committee will present a written recommendation to the dean who will provide a final decision within 20 working days of receipt of the committee recommendation.
• If the alleged unfair treatment occurs in a CALS unit that is not an academic department, the student should, within 120 calendar days of the alleged incident, take his/her grievance directly to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. The dean will attempt to resolve the problem informally within 10 working days of receiving the complaint. If this mediation attempt does not succeed the student may file a written complaint with the dean who will refer it to the CALS Equity and Diversity Committee. The committee will seek a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed, subsequently following other steps delineated in item 3d above.

Financial support is available to qualified M.S. and Ph.D. students in the form of research assistantships. Most assistantships are funded through research grants, and the final decision rests with the professor(s) supervising the research. A research assistantship for at least one-third time qualifies a student for remission of all tuition. The department offers a limited number of teaching assistantships. Graduate School fellowships are also available.

Take advantage of the Graduate School's  professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

UW–Madison offers a wealth of resources intended to enrich your graduate studies and enhance your professional skills. Starting your very first year on campus, it is expected that you will take full advantage of the career and professional development resources that best fit your needs and support your goals. Since our alumni thrive not only in academia but also in industry, corporate, government and non-profit arenas, we strive to be in-tune, holistic, and innovative in our approach to meeting the diverse professional development needs of our students. By actively participating in these professional development opportunities, you will build the skills needed to succeed academically at UW–Madison and to thrive professionally in your chosen career.

• Articulates research problems, potentials, and limits with respect to theory and practice in soil science.
• Formulates ideas, concepts, designs, and/or techniques beyond the boundaries of soil science knowledge.
• Articulates testable hypotheses and conducts research that makes a substantive contribution to soil science.
• Communicates clearly in ways appropriate to the field, in oral and written forms, for scholarly and general public audiences.
• Fosters ethical and professional conduct, adhering to accepted standards such as that of the Soil Science Society of America.

Associate Professor Francisco Arriaga

Applied Soil Physics, Soil and Water Management and Conservation: Conservation agriculture systems; development of conservation tillage practices that enhance soil quality, soil hydraulic properties, and plant water use through the adoption of cover crops and non-inversion tillage for traditional cropping systems.

Professor Nicholas Balster

Soil Ecology, Plant Physiological Ecology, and Education: Energy and material cycling in natural and anthropogenic soils including forests, grasslands, and urban ecosystems; stable isotope ecology; environmental education; nutrition management of nursery soils; tree physiology, production and response; ecosystem response to global change; urban ecosystem processes; invasive plant ecology; biodiversity.

Professor Phillip Barak

Soil Chemistry and Plant Nutrition: Nutrient cycling; nutrient recovery from wastewater; molecular visualization of soil minerals and molecules; soil acidification.

Assistant Professor Zachary Freedman

Soil microbiology, ecology and sustainability: Effects of environmental change on biogeochemical cycles; community ecology and trophic dynamics; forest soil ecology; soil organic matter dynamics; sustainable agroecosystems; bio-based product crop production on marginal lands.  

Professor Alfred Hartemink

Pedology, Digital Soil Mapping: Pedology; soil carbon; digital soil mapping; tropical soils; history and philosophy of soil science.

Assistant Professor Jingyi Huang

Soil Physics, Proximal and Remote Sensing, Soil Monitoring and Management, Digital Soil Mapping: Application of proximal and remote sensing technologies for understanding the movement of water, heat, gas, and solutes in soils across different spatial and temporal scales; application of physical and empirical models for monitoring, mapping, and managing soil changes due to natural processes and human activities.

Assistant Professor Inna Popova

Environmental soil chemistry; understanding and mitigating the response of soil systems to the increased pressure of organic contaminants; application of biopesticides; development of novel separation and analyses methods for contaminants in environmental matrices.

Professor Matthew Ruark

Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management: Soil fertility and management of grain biofuel, and vegetable crops; cover crop management; agricultural production and water quality; sustainability of dairy cropping systems; soil organic matter management.

Professor Douglas Soldat

Turfgrass and Urban Soils—Turfgrass, urban soils, nutrient management, water resources, soil testing, landscape irrigation; soil contamination.

Assistant Professor Thea Whitman

Soil Ecology, Microbiology, and Biogeochemistry: Soil microbial ecology; organic matter decomposition and carbon stabilization; global environmental change; stable isotopes; linking functional significance of microbial communities with ecosystem processes; fire effects on soil carbon and microbes; management and policy.

Assistant Professor Xia Zhu-Barker

Soil Biogeochemistry, Land Management, and Environmental Sustainability:  Nitrogen and carbon biogeochemical cycles; greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions; nitrate leaching and runoff; innovative manure and nutrient utilization; composting; climate change mitigation and adaptation; ecosystem services and carbon markets; dairy environmental sustainability; novel methods in isotopic techniques; mechanistic exploration of soil-plant-microbe interactions; process-based modelling. The specific research topics include:

• Microbial and abiotic processes involved in the production and consumption of nitrogen and carbon gases (N 2 O, NO X , NH 3 , CO 2 , CH 4 )
• Land management practices (e.g., compost, fertilizer, cover crops, irrigation, and tillage) that change soil health, nitrogen use efficiency, crop productivity, nitrogen losses, carbon turnover.
• Process oriented modelling of carbon/nitrogen turnover in agricultural ecosystems.
• Environmental changes on the sustainability and resilience of agricultural ecosystems especially dairy production systems.
• Requirements
• Professional Development
• Learning Outcomes

Contact Information

Soil Science College of Agricultural and Life Sciences soils.wisc.edu

Carol Duffy, Graduate Admissions [email protected] 608-262-2633 Department of Soil Science 1525 Observatory Drive

Julie Garvin, Graduate Coordinator [email protected] 608-262-2239 Department of Soil Science 1525 Observatory Drive

Doug Soldat, Director of Graduate Study [email protected] Department of Soil Science 1525 Observatory Drive

Graduate School [email protected]

• /​pdf/​
• Explore Graduate Opportunities
• Explore UW-​Madison's Undergraduate Opportunities
• Accounting and Information Systems
• African American Studies
• African Cultural Studies
• Agricultural and Applied Economics
• Agricultural and Life Sciences -​ College-​Wide
• Animal and Dairy Sciences
• Anthropology
• Art History
• Asian Languages and Cultures
• Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
• Bacteriology
• Biochemistry
• Biological Systems Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Biostatistics and Medical Informatics
• Business -​ School-​Wide
• Cell and Regenerative Biology
• Chemical and Biological Engineering
• Chicana/​o and Latina/​o Studies
• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Civil Society &​ Community Studies
• Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies
• Communication Arts
• Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Community and Environmental Sociology
• Computer Sciences
• Counseling Psychology
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
• Educational Policy Studies
• Educational Psychology
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Engineering -​ College-​Wide
• Food Science
• Forest and Wildlife Ecology
• French and Italian
• Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
• Gender and Women's Studies
• German, Nordic, and Slavic
• Graduate -​ School-​Wide
• Horticulture
• Human Ecology -​ School-​Wide
• Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Information School
• Institute for Clinical and Translational Research
• Institute for Regional and International Studies
• Integrative Biology
• Journalism and Mass Communication
• Kinesiology
• La Follette School of Public Affairs
• Language Institute
• Language Sciences
• Law -​ School-​Wide
• Life Sciences Communication
• Management and Human Resources
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mathematics
• Mead Witter School of Music
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medical Physics
• Medicine and Public Health -​ School-​Wide
• Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics
• Nursing -​ School-​Wide
• Nutritional Sciences
• Operations and Information Management
• Pharmacy -​ School-​Wide
• Planning and Landscape Architecture
• Plant Pathology
• Political Science
• Population Health Sciences
• Real Estate and Urban Land Economics
• Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education
• Religious Studies
• Risk and Insurance
• Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work
• Environmental Remediation and Management, M.S.
• Soil Science, Doctoral Minor
• Soil Science, M.S.
• Spanish and Portuguese
• Veterinary Medicine -​ School-​Wide
• Nondegree/​Visiting Student Guide
• Pharmacy Guide
• School of Medicine and Public Health Guide
• Undergraduate Guide
• Veterinary Guide

• Mission and Values
• Newsletters
• Undergraduate
• Soil Analysis
• The Virtual Museum of Minerals & Molecules
• Administrative Staff
• Research & Academic Staff
• Graduate Students
• Post-Doc Research Associate
• Emeritus Faculty
• Employment & Funding Opportunities

Soil Science

College of agricultural & life sciences, soil science, phd.

The UW-Madison Department of Soil Science is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent soil science departments in the United States. It is globally renowned for its excellence in soil research and education. The department’s mission is to provide instruction, research, and extension leadership in soil chemistry, physics, biology, and pedology to economic and sustainable land use. Programs are designed to improve basic understanding and practical management of soil resources in natural, agricultural, and urban ecosystems, and to serve local, state, national, and global interests. The department implements the Wisconsin Idea to the extended community and provides all generations with an appreciation of soil as a key natural resource and thorough understanding of the scientific basis of the environment and agriculture.

Topics of Interest

Financial support & appointment types expand_more.

Applications to graduate studies act as the application for financial support. Offers of financial support accompany most offers of admissions for student admitted to Soil Science. Most students hold research assistantships (RAs), but some may hold fellowships or teaching assistantships (TAs). The availability of these appointments is limited. They carry a stipend, a remission of tuition, and the option to participate in a health-care plan comparable to that available to faculty. A posting of open assistantship positions with the department may also be located on the department’s Employment & Funding Opportunities page.

International students should refer to the International Applicant Financial Information website when preparing the applications. International students should submit their financial information only after a favorable admission decision has been made.

Employment regulations for international students can be found on the International Student Services (ISS) website.

Although paid teaching assistant (TA) appointments are rare within Soil Science, there are many opportunities on campus to secure such a position. Students supported by TA positions should contact their advisor for a list of potential departments to contact.

Students are also encouraged to consider applying for a Graduate School external fellowship , CALS Fellowships , and CALS Scholarships .

Funding & Expenses by Appointment Type expand_more

Research Assistant (RA) Graduate Students

Most students who join the soil science PhD program are offered financial support through an RA appointment. Soil science RA appointments are offered at the maximum allowable 50% rate, unless specified differently in the appointment letter. An RA appointment is granted for the fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). We expect appointments to continue for the duration of a student’s studies with satisfactory progress toward degree. All RA appointments include tuition remission and fringe benefits.

Teaching Assistant (TA) Graduate Students

On occasion, a soil science PhD student may take on a TA appointment in our department or another department on campus. The length of appointment (one semester, academic year, or annual) and the percentage of appointment can vary greatly depending on the specific needs of the hiring department. A TA appointment includes tuition remission and fringe benefits.

Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship (WDGF) Graduate Students

The Department of Soil Science has two WDGF opportunities tied to specific research programs in the department. The department’s WDGF opportunities are offered only when fund earnings have reached the level of support necessary. The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences also offers WDGF opportunities. Please see the Financial Support & Appointment Types tab for those details.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Health Benefits:  Graduate assistantships appointed at 33.3% or higher provide eligibility for health insurance ( health insurance options  for a  reasonable premium  are among the country’s best group health insurance plans).

Other Types of Fees

In addition to tuition, there are other fees that may be assessed on a student’s account.  Some of these fees are one-time fees; others may be assessed each semester depending on the student’s status, enrollment date, courses taken and if the student is living in University Housing.

• Segregated Fees  are charges, in addition to tuition, assessed to all students. Segregated fees pay for student services, activities, programs, and facilities that support the mission of University of Wisconsin System institutions, including UW-Madison.
• Housing and Dining charges  are assessed to students living in the Residence Halls and participating in the dining meal plan.
• eTextbook Fee  is charged to students who register for courses participating in the e-text program
• Registrar Office Document Fee  is a mandatory one-time fee that covers the cost of official university documents (such as transcripts).
• International Student Fee  is applicable to students who are at UW-Madison on F1 or J1 visas and supports the International Student Services office.
• Late Registration Fee  is assessed to students who begin enrolling in courses after a specific date each term.

Program Guide expand_more

The program guide with complete details about our Soil Science PhD degree can be found here .

International Student Resources expand_more

International students at UW-Madison have additional requirements imposed by the U.S. Federal Government. Our International Student Services Office staff are the experts to address all questions regarding these matters.

The Madison Friends of International Students mission is to connect UW international students with local residents to foster cultural exchange, global goodwill, and friendships around the world. They offer opportunities such as a Capitol reception, English classes, global friends partnering, temporary homestays, furniture, transportation, Thanksgiving hospitality, and welcome picnics.

Who can I contact if I have more questions? expand_more

Graduate Program Manager, Julie Garvin is happy to meet with you to answer further questions you may have. Also, we have several MS and PhD graduate students who are willing to meet with new students to answer the questions only they can. Contact Julie at [email protected] to arrange a meeting according to your needs.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content

Ph.D. Programs

Looking to excel in the field of Soil and Crop Sciences? Texas A&M University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offers top-notch Ph.D. programs in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. With a focus on sustainable agriculture, crop production, and soil science, these programs prepare students for impactful careers. Supported by renowned faculty and advanced research facilities, students engage in cutting-edge research to address pressing challenges in agriculture and food security. The collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of the department ensures a dynamic learning environment. Earn your Ph.D. at Texas A&M University and become a leader in advancing agricultural practices and shaping the future of global food systems.

Requirements Leading to the Doctor of Philosophy Degree

64 graduate credit hours beyond the M.S. degree; general requirements are:

• A minimum of 3 graded course hours is required; however, most committee chairs and advisory committees demand from 20 to 30 semester hours of classroom study, which may include courses in departments other than soil and crop sciences.
• Graduate seminar (1 hr.)
• A dissertation written on original research as directed by the student’s advisory committee

Students who accumulate more that 99 semester credit hours may be required to pay out-of-state tuition on any additional hours.

96 graduate credit hours beyond a B.S. degree; general requirements are:

• A minimum of 26 graded course hours is required; however, most committee chairs and advisory committees expect 40 or more semester credit hours of classroom study, which may include courses in departments other than soil and crop sciences.
• A dissertation written on original research as directed by the students advisory committee.

Unlock advanced agricultural expertise with a Ph.D. in Agronomy, specializing in crop science, soil management, and sustainable farming practices.

Expand your horizons with a Ph.D. in Genetics, focusing on advanced genetic research, analysis, and breakthrough discoveries.

Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences

Lead the way in sustainable agriculture with a Ph.D. in Environmental Plant Sciences, specializing in plant ecology and conservation.

Plant Breeding

Shape the future of agriculture with a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, specializing in advanced crop genetics and innovative breeding techniques.

Plant Breeding Distance Education

Our fully on-line plant breeding graduate degree programs offer students the flexibility to pursue a higher degree while maintaining employment, personal, and other commitments.

Soil Science

Become a soil science expert with a Ph.D. in Soil Science, specializing in sustainable soil management and environmental conservation.

Water Management and Hydrologic Science

Make a splash in water management with a Ph.D. in Water Management and Hydrologic Science, specializing in sustainable water resources and hydrology.

Distance Education

The Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M University offers a wide range of distance education opportunities.  The plant breeding distance education program offers online Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Plant Breeding as well as a robust continuing education program for agriculture professionals seeking further plant breeding education but who are not interested in a degree program.  Additionally, the Regulatory Science in Food Systems program, administered by the Office of the Texas State Chemist, provides professional development in the field of regulatory science through an online graduate Certificate in Regulatory Science in Food Systems or online professional development courses.

Graduate Admissions

Texas A&M University is the premier choice to gain a graduate degree, thanks to our national academic ranking and high financial value. Joining the Aggie Family and gaining an advanced degree from Texas A&M puts students in the highest class of job candidates.

International Students

Official TOEFL scores are required for international applicants. Official scores must be sent by ETS directly to Texas A&M University using the school code: 6003. Visit the Graduate and Professional School website for a list of requirements, exemptions and other useful information regarding the TOEFL/IELTS Exams.

Admissions Decisions

Students will receive an admissions decision either in a letter from the Texas A&M University Office of Admissions or from the department.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

By submitting a  financial aid application  through the university, students are reviewed for all the types of financial aid that they are eligible for. Remember: each student’s financial aid eligibility may vary. The types of financial aid students are offered is based on the data provided on their financial aid and/or scholarship application.

Carissa Beamon

Senior Academic Advisor

(979) 845-7616

[email protected]

114 Kleberg

Texas A&M University Catalogs

Doctor of philosophy in soil science.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Soil Science is designed to prepare students for academic and non-academic careers in areas of soil and environmental sciences, and in food, feed, fiber, bioenergy, shelter, and aesthetic-space plant production. Students complete discipline specific courses and high impact learning experiences designed to provide the knowledge and skills for leadership positions in industry, local-state-national governmental agencies, and non-government organizations dealing with soil science and environmental sciences. Graduates are employed by universities, state departments of agriculture and other related environmental agencies, Natural Resource Conservation Service, private companies, crop consulting firms, state agricultural experiment stations, cooperative extension service, USDA-ARS, and farmer cooperatives. Graduates are often employed with organizations dealing with environmental issues such as sediment loss and surface and ground water contamination.  The expected increase in global population and global climate change mandate the proper use of soil, water, and atmospheric resources.  Graduates in Soil Science are prepared to meet this challenge through their understanding of the physical, chemical, and microbiological aspects of soil and water.

For more information, please contact a graduate advisor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences ( http://soilcrop.tamu.edu ).

Steps to Fulfill a Doctoral Program

Program Requirements

• Student's Advisory Committee

Degree Plan

Transfer of credit, research proposal.

• Preliminary Examination

Preliminary Examination Format

Preliminary examination scheduling, report of preliminary examination, failure of the preliminary examination, retake of failed preliminary examination.

• Final Examination

Report of Final Examination

Dissertation, student’s advisory committee.

After receiving admission to graduate studies and enrolling, the student will consult with the head of his or her major or administrative department (or chair of the intercollegiate faculty) concerning appointment of the chair of the advisory committee. The student’s advisory committee will consist of  no fewer than four members of the graduate faculty  representative of the student’s several fields of study and research, where the chair or co-chair must be from the student’s department (or intercollegiate faculty, if applicable), and  at least one or more of the members must have an appointment to a department other than the student’s major department . The outside member for a student in an interdisciplinary degree program must be from a department different from the chair of the student’s committee.

The chair, in consultation with the student, will select the remainder of the advisory committee. Only graduate faculty members located on Texas A&M University campuses may serve as chair of a student’s advisory committee. Other Texas A&M University graduate faculty members located off-campus may serve as a member or co-chair (but not chair), with a member as the chair.

If the chair of a student’s advisory committee voluntarily leaves the University and the student is near completion of the degree and wants the chair to continue to serve in this role, the student is responsible for securing a current member of the University Graduate Faculty, from the student’s academic program and located near the Texas A&M University campus site, to serve as the co-chair of the committee. The Department Head or Chair of Intercollegiate faculty may request in writing to the Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate and Professional School that a faculty member who is on an approved leave of absence or has voluntarily separated from the university, be allowed to continue to serve in the role of chair of a student’s advisory committee without a co-chair for up to one year. The students should be near completion of the degree. Extensions beyond the one year period can be granted with additional approval of the Dean.

The committee members’ signatures on the degree plan indicate their willingness to accept the responsibility for guiding and directing the entire academic program of the student and for initiating all academic actions concerning the student. Although individual committee members may be replaced by petition for valid reasons, a committee cannot resign  en masse . The chair of the committee, who usually has immediate supervision of the student’s research and dissertation or record of study, has the responsibility for calling all meetings of the committee. The duties of the committee include responsibility for the proposed degree plan, the research proposal, the preliminary examination, the dissertation or record of study and the final examination. In addition, the committee, as a group and as individual members, is responsible for counseling the student on academic matters, and, in the case of academic deficiency, initiating recommendations to the Graduate and Professional School.

The student’s advisory committee will evaluate the student’s previous education and degree objectives. The committee, in consultation with the student, will develop a proposed degree plan and outline a research problem which, when completed, as indicated by the dissertation (or its equivalent for the degree of Doctor of Education or the degree of Doctor of Engineering), will constitute the basic requirements for the degree. The degree plan must be filed with the Graduate and Professional School prior to the deadline imposed by the student’s college and no later than 90 days prior to the preliminary examination.

This proposed degree plan should be submitted through the online Document Processing Submission System located on the website  http://ogsdpss.tamu.edu . A minimum of 64 hours is required on the degree plan for the Doctor of Philosophy for a student who has completed a master’s degree. A student who has completed a DDS/DMD, DVM or a MD at a U.S. institution is also required to complete a minimum of 64 hours. A student who has completed a baccalaureate degree but not a master’s degree will be required to complete a 96-hour degree plan. Completion of a DDS/DMD, DVM or MD degree at a foreign institution requires completion of a minimum of 96 hours for the Doctor of Philosophy. A field of study may be primarily in one department or in a combination of departments. A degree plan must carry a reasonable amount of 691 (research). A maximum of 9 hours of 400-level undergraduate courses may be used toward meeting credit-hour requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy.

Additional coursework may be added by petition to the approved degree plan by the student’s advisory committee if it is deemed necessary to correct deficiencies in the student’s academic preparation. No changes can be made to the degree plan once the student’s Request for Final Examination is approved by the Graduate and Professional School.

Approval to enroll in any professional course (900-level) should be obtained from the head of the department (or Chair of the intercollegiate faculty, if applicable) in which the course will be offered before including such a course on a degree plan.

No credit may be obtained by correspondence study, by extension or for any course of fewer than three weeks duration.

For non-distance degree programs, no more than four courses may be taken by distance education without approval of the Graduate and Professional School and no more than 50 percent of the non-research credit hours required for the program may be completed through distance education courses.

To receive a graduate degree from Texas A&M University, students must earn one-third or more of the credits through the institution’s own direct instruction. This limitation also applies to joint degree programs. 

Courses for which transfer credits are sought must have been completed with a grade of B or greater and must be approved by the student’s advisory committee and the Graduate and Professional School. These courses must not have been used previously for another degree. Except for officially approved cooperative doctoral programs, credit for thesis or dissertation research or the equivalent is not transferable. Credit for “internship” coursework in any form is not transferable. Courses taken in residence at an accredited U.S. institution or approved international institution with a final grade of B or greater will be considered for transfer credit if, at the time the courses were completed, the courses would be accepted for credit toward a similar degree for a student in degree-seeking status at the host institution. Credit for coursework taken by extension is not transferable. Coursework  in which no formal grades are given or in which grades other than letter grades (A or B) are earned (for example, CR, P, S, U, H, etc.) is not accepted for transfer credit . Credit for coursework submitted for transfer from any college or university must be shown in semester credit hours, or equated to semester credit hours.

Courses used toward a degree at another institution may not be applied for graduate credit. If the course to be transferred was taken prior to the conferral of a degree at the transfer institution, a letter from the registrar at that institution stating that the course was not applied for credit toward the degree must be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School.

Grades for courses completed at other institutions are not included in computing the GPA. An official transcript from the university at which transfer courses are taken must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions.

The general field of research to be used for the dissertation should be agreed on by the student and the advisory committee at their first meeting, as a basis for selecting the proper courses to support the proposed research.

As soon thereafter as the research project can be outlined in reasonable detail, the dissertation research proposal should be completed. The research proposal should be approved at a meeting of the student’s advisory committee, at which time the feasibility of the proposed research and the adequacy of available facilities should be reviewed. The approved proposal, signed by all members of the student’s advisory committee, the head of the student’s major department (or chair of the intercollegiate faculty, if applicable), must be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School at least 20 working days prior to the submission of the Request for the Final Examination.

Compliance issues must be addressed if a graduate student is performing research involving human subjects, animals, infectious biohazards and recombinant DNA. A student involved in these types of research should check with the Office of Research Compliance and Biosafety at (979) 458-1467 to address questions about all research compliance responsibilities. Additional information can also be obtained on the website  http:// rcb.tamu.edu .

Examinations

Preliminary examination for doctoral students.

The student’s major department (or chair of the interdisciplinary degree program faculty, if applicable) and his or her advisory committee may require qualifying, cumulative or other types of examinations at any time deemed desirable. These examinations are entirely at the discretion of the department and the student’s advisory committee.

The preliminary examination is required. The preliminary examination for a doctoral student shall be given no earlier than a date at which the student is within 6 credit hours of completion of the formal coursework on the degree plan (i.e., all coursework on the degree plan except 681, 684, 690, 691, 692, 693, 695, 697, 791, or other graduate courses specifically designated as S/U in the course catalog). The student should complete the Preliminary Examination no later than the end of the semester following the completion of the formal coursework on the degree plan.

The objective of preliminary examination is to evaluate whether the student has demonstrated the following qualifications:

a.     a mastery of the subject matter of all fields in the program;

b.     an adequate knowledge of the literature in these fields and an ability to carry out bibliographical research;

c.     an understanding of the research problem and the appropriate methodological approaches.

The format of the preliminary examination shall be determined by the student’s department (or interdisciplinary degree program, if applicable) and advisory committee, and communicated to the student in advance of the examination. The exam may consist of a written component, oral component, or combination of written and oral components.

The preliminary exam may be administered by the advisory committee or a departmental committee; herein referred to as the examination committee.

Regardless of exam format, a student will receive an overall preliminary exam result of pass or fail. The department (or interdisciplinary degree program, if applicable) will determine how the overall pass or fail result is determined based on the exam structure and internal department procedures. If the exam is administered by the advisory committee, each advisory committee member will provide a pass or fail evaluation decision.

Only one advisory committee substitution is allowed to provide an evaluation decision for a student’s preliminary exam, and it cannot be the committee chair.

If a student is required to take, as a part of the preliminary examination, a written component administered by a department or interdisciplinary degree program, the department or interdisciplinary degree program faculty must:

a.     offer the examination at least once every six months. The departmental or interdisciplinary degree program examination should be announced at least 30 days prior to the scheduled examination date.

b.     assume the responsibility for marking the examination satisfactory or unsatisfactory, or otherwise graded, and in the case of unsatisfactory, stating specifically the reasons for such a mark.

c.     forward the marked examination to the chair of the student’s advisory committee within one week after the examination.

Prior to commencing any component of the preliminary examination, a departmental representative or the advisory committee chair will review the eligibility criteria with the student, using the Preliminary Examination Checklist to ensure the student is eligible for the preliminary examination. The following list of eligibility requirements applies.

Student is registered at Texas A&M University for a minimum of one semester credit hour in the long semester or summer term during which any component of the preliminary examination is held. If the entire examination is held between semesters, then the student must be registered for the term immediately preceding the examination.

An approved degree plan is on file with the Graduate and Professional School prior to commencing the first component of the examination.

Student’s cumulative GPA is at least 3.000.

Student’s degree plan GPA is at least 3.000.

At the end of the semester in which at least the first component of the exam is given, there are no more than 6 hours of coursework remaining on the degree plan (except 681, 684, 690, 691, 692, 693, 695, 697, 791, or other graduate courses specifically designated as S/U in the course catalog). The head of the student’s department (or Chair of the Interdisciplinary Degree Program, if applicable) has the authority to approve a waiver of this criterion.

Credit for the preliminary examination is not transferable in cases where a student changes degree programs after passing a preliminary exam.

If a written component precedes an oral component of the preliminary exam, the chair of the student’s examination committee is responsible for making all written examinations available to all members of the committee. A positive evaluation of the preliminary exam by all members of a student’s examination committee with at most one dissension is required to pass a student on his or her preliminary exam.

The student’s department will promptly report the results of the Preliminary Examination to the Graduate and Professional School via the Report of Doctoral Preliminary Examination form. The Preliminary Examination checklist form must also be submitted. These forms should be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School within 10 working days of completion of the preliminary examination.

The Report of the Preliminary Examination form must be submitted with original signatures of the approved examination committee members. If an approved examination committee member substitution (one only) has been made, that signature must also be included, in place of the committee member, on the form submitted to the Graduate and Professional School. The original signature of the department head is also required on the form.

After passing the required preliminary oral and written examinations for a doctoral degree, the student must complete the final examination within four years of the semester in which the preliminary exam is taken. Exams taken in between terms will expire at the end of the term that ended prior to the exam. For example, a preliminary exam taken and passed during the fall 2019 semester will expire at the end of the fall 2023 semester. A preliminary exam taken in the time between the summer and fall 2019 semesters will expire at the end of the summer 2023 semester.

First Failure

Upon approval of a student’s examination committee (with no more than one member dissenting), and approval of the Department and Graduate and Professional School, a student who has failed a preliminary examination may be given one re-examination. In accordance with Student Rule 12.5, the student’s department head or designee, intercollegiate faculty, or graduate advisory committee should make a recommendation to the student regarding their scholastic deficiency.

Second Failure

Upon failing the preliminary exam twice in a doctoral program, a student is no longer eligible to continue to pursue the PhD in that program/major. In accordance with Student Rule 12.5.3 and/or 12.5.4, the student will be notified of the action being taken by the department as a result of the second failure of the preliminary examination.

Adequate time must be given to permit a student to address inadequacies emerging from the first preliminary examination. The examination committee must agree upon and communicate to the student, in writing, an adequate time-frame from the first examination (normally six months) to retest, as well as a detailed explanation of the inadequacies emerging from the examination. The student and committee should jointly negotiate a mutually acceptable date for this retest.  When providing feedback on inadequacies, the committee should clearly document expected improvements that the student must be able to exhibit in order to retake the exam.  The examination committee will document and communicate the time-frame and feedback within 10 working days of the exam that was not passed.

Final Examination for Doctoral Students

The candidate for the doctoral degree must pass a final examination by deadline dates announced in the “Graduate and Professional School Calendar” each semester. The doctoral student is allowed only one opportunity to take the final examination.

No unabsolved grades of D, F, or U for any course can be listed on the degree plan. The student must be registered for any remaining hours of 681, 684, 690, 691, 692, 791 or other graduate courses specifically designated as S/U in the course catalog during the semester of the final exam. No student may be given a final examination until they have been admitted to candidacy and their current official cumulative and degree plan GPAs are 3.00 or better.

To be admitted to candidacy for a doctoral degree, a student must have:

1.       completed all formal coursework on the degree plan with the exception of any remaining 681, 684, 690 and 691, 692 (Professional Study), or 791 hours,

2.       a 3.0 Graduate GPA and a Degree Plan GPA of at least 3.0 with no grade lower than C in any course on the degree plan,

3.       passed the preliminary examination,

4.       submitted an approved dissertation proposal,

5.       met the residence requirements.

The request to hold and announce the final examination must be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School a minimum of 10 working days in advance of the scheduled date. Any changes to the degree plan must be approved by the Graduate and Professional School prior to the submission of the request for final examination.

 The student’s advisory committee will conduct this examination. The final examination is not to be administered until the dissertation or record of study is available in substantially final form to the student’s advisory committee, and all concerned have had adequate time to review the document.  Whereas the final examination may cover the broad field of the candidate’s training, it is presumed that the major portion of the time will be devoted to the dissertation and closely allied topics. Persons other than members of the graduate faculty may, with mutual consent of the candidate and the chair of the advisory committee, be invited to attend a final examination for an advanced degree. A positive vote by all members of the graduate committee with at most one dissension is required to pass a student on his or her exam. A department can have a stricter requirement provided there is consistency within all degree programs within a department. Upon completion of the questioning of the candidate, all visitors must excuse themselves from the proceedings.

The student’s department will promptly report the results of the Final Examination to the Graduate and Professional School via the Report of Doctoral Final Examination form. These forms should be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School within 10 working days of completion of the final examination. The Graduate and Professional School​ must be notified in writing of any cancellations.

A positive evaluation of the final exam by all members of a student’s advisory committee with at most one dissension is required to pass a student on his or her final exam. The Report of the Final Examination Form must be submitted with original signatures of only the committee members approved by the Graduate and Professional School. If necessary, multiple copies of the form may be submitted with different committee member original signatures. If an approved committee member substitution (1 only) has been made, his/her signature must be included on the form submitted to the Graduate and Professional School.

The ability to perform independent research must be demonstrated by the dissertation,  which must be the original work of the candidate . Whereas acceptance of the dissertation is based primarily on its scholarly merit, it must also exhibit creditable literary workmanship. The format of the dissertation must be acceptable to the Graduate and Professional School. Guidelines for the preparation of the dissertation are available in the  Thesis Manual , which is available online at  https://grad.tamu.edu .

After successful defense and approval by the student’s advisory committee and the head of the student’s major department (or chair of the intercollegiate faculty, if applicable), a student must submit his/her dissertation in electronic format as a single PDF file. The PDF file must be uploaded to the website,  https://grad.tamu.edu . Additionally, a signed paper approval form with original signatures must be received by the Graduate and Professional School. Both the PDF file and the signed approval form are required by the deadline.

Deadline dates for submitting are announced each semester or summer term in the Graduate and Professional School Calendar (see Time Limit statement). These dates also can be accessed via the website  https://grad.tamu.edu .

Each student who submits a document for review is assessed a one-time thesis/dissertation processing fee through Student Business Services. This processing fee is for the thesis/dissertation services provided. After commencement, dissertations are digitally stored and made available through the Texas A&M Libraries.

A dissertation that is deemed unacceptable by the Graduate and Professional School because of excessive corrections will be returned to the student’s department head or chair of the intercollegiate faculty . The manuscript must be resubmitted as a new document, and the entire review process must begin anew. All original submittal deadlines must be met during the resubmittal process in order to graduate.

Additional Requirements

Continuous registration, admission to candidacy.

• 99-Hour Cap on Doctoral Degree

Application for Degree

A student who enters the doctoral degree program with a baccalaureate degree must spend one academic year plus one semester in resident study at Texas A&M University. A student who holds master’s degree when he/she enters doctoral degree program must spend one academic year in resident study. One academic year may include two adjacent regular semesters or one regular semester and one adjacent 10-week summer semester. The third semester is not required to be adjacent to the one year. Enrollment for each semester must be a minimum of 9 credit hours each to satisfy the residence requirement. A minimum of 1 credit hour must be in a non-distance education delivery mode. Semesters in which the student is enrolled in all distance education coursework will not count toward fulfillment of the residence requirement.

To satisfy the residence requirement, the student must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester or 10-week summer semester in resident study at Texas A&M University for the required period. A student who enters a doctoral degree program with a baccalaureate degree may fulfill residence requirements in excess of one academic year (18 credit hours) by registration during summer sessions or by completion of a less-than-full course load (in this context a full course load is considered 9 credit hours per semester).

Students who are employed full-time while completing their degree may fulfill total residence requirements by completion of less-than-full time course loads each semester. In order to be considered for this, the student is required to submit a Petition for Waivers and Exceptions along with verification of his/her employment to the Graduate and Professional School. An employee should submit verification of his/her employment at the time he/she submits the degree plan. See  Registration.

See  Residence Requirements .

All requirements for doctoral degrees must be completed within a period of ten consecutive calendar years for the degree to be granted. A course will be considered valid until 10 years after the end of the semester in which it is taken. Graduate credit for coursework more than ten calendar years old at the time of the final oral examination may not be used to satisfy degree requirements.

A final corrected version of the dissertation or record of study in electronic format as a single PDF file must be cleared by the Graduate and Professional School within one year of the semester in which the final exam is taken. Exams taken in between terms will expire at the end of the term that ended prior to the exam. For example, a final exam taken and passed during the fall 2022 semester will expire at the end of the fall 2023 semester. A final exam taken in the time between the summer and fall 2022 semesters will expire at the end of the summer 2023 semester. Failure to do so will result in the degree not being awarded.

A student in a program leading to a Doctor of Philosophy who has completed all coursework on his/her degree plan other than 691 (research) are required to be in continuous registration until all requirements for the degree have been completed. See  Continuous Registration Requirements .

• completed all formal coursework on the degree plan with the exception of any remaining 681, 684, 690 and 691, or 791.
• a 3.0 Graduate GPA and a Degree Plan GPA of at least 3.0 with no grade lower than C in any course on the degree plan,
• passed the preliminary examination (written and oral portions),
• submitted an approved dissertation proposal,
• met the residence requirements. The final examination will not be authorized for any doctoral student who has not been admitted to candidacy.

A student is required to possess a competent command of English. For English language proficiency requirements, see the Admissions section of this catalog. The doctoral (PhD) foreign language requirement at Texas A&M University is a departmental option, to be administered and monitored by the individual departments of academic instruction.

99-Hour Cap on Doctoral Degrees

In Texas, public colleges and universities are funded by the state according to the number of students enrolled. In accordance with legislation passed by the Texas Legislature, the number of hours for which state universities may receive subvention funding at the doctoral rate for any individual is limited to 99 hours. Texas A&M and other universities will not receive subvention for hours in excess of the limit.

Institutions of higher education are allowed to charge the equivalent of non-resident tuition to a resident doctoral student who has enrolled in 100 or more semester credit hours of doctoral coursework.

Doctoral students at Texas A&M have seven years to complete their degree before being charged out-of-state tuition. A doctoral student who, after seven years of study, has accumulated 100 or more doctoral hours will be charged tuition at a rate equivalent to out-of-state tuition. Please note that the tuition increases will apply to Texas residents as well as students from other states and countries who are currently charged tuition at the resident rate. This includes those doctoral students who hold GAT, GANT, and GAR appointments or recipients of competitive fellowships who receive more than $1,000 per semester. Doctoral students who have not accumulated 100 hours after seven years of study are eligible to pay in-state tuition if otherwise eligible.

Doctoral students who exceed the credit limit will receive notification from the Graduate and Professional School during the semester in which they are enrolled and exceeding the limit in their current degree program. The notification will explain that the State of Texas does not provide funding for any additional hours in which a student is enrolled in excess of 99 hours. Texas A&M University will recover the lost funds by requiring students in excess of 99 hours to pay tuition at the non-funded, non-resident rate. This non-funded, non-resident tuition rate status will be updated for the following semester and in all subsequent semesters until receipt of a doctoral degree. Please see the  Tuition Calculator  at the non-resident rate for an example of potential charges.

The following majors are exempt from the 99-Hour Cap on Doctoral Degrees and have a limit of 130 doctoral hours:

• Biochemistry
• Biomedical Sciences
• Clinical Psychology
• Counseling Psychology
• Genetics and Genomics
• Health Services Research
• Medical Sciences
• Microbiology
• Neurosciences (School of Medicine)
• Oral and Craniofacial Biomedical Sciences
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Public Health Sciences
• School Psychology

For information on applying for your degree, please visit the  Graduation  section.

• Washington State University
• History of the Department of Agronomy and Soils, WSU
• Certificate Options
• Professional Certification
• Internships/Summer Employment
• MS and PhD in Crop Science

MS and PhD in Soil Science

• Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture
• Funding Opportunities
• How to Apply
• Current Student Information
• Graduate Program Student Learning Outcomes
• Scholarship Opportunities
• Molecular Genetics
• Weed Science
• Biogeochemistry
• Microbiology
• Nutrient Management
• Rhizosphere
• Vadose Zone Hydrology
• Cropping Systems
• Precision Agriculture
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Agricultural Education
• Rural Sociology
• Field Day Abstracts
• Weed Identification
• Event Calendar
• Proposal and Exit Seminars
• The Campbell Lecture
• Robert E. Allan Plant Breeding Symposium
• Archive List of Seminars
• Cook Agronomy Farm
• Spillman Farm
• Emeritus Faculty
• Adjunct and Affiliate Faculty
• Crop Science Graduate Students
• Soil Science Graduate Students
• Other Students Advised by CSS Faculty
• Research Associates
• Technical Staff
• Administrative Staff
• In Memoriam
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Members
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources

Soils may be studied either as  natural bodies or as a medium for chemical and biochemical interactions for transport of water, solutes and heat, and for plant growth . Washington State University is located in one of the best geographical areas in the world for the study of soils as naturally occurring bodies. Graduate programs are usually designed to specialize in the  physical ,  chemical, biological, mineralogical ,  geomorphological , or  fertility  aspects of the soil system.

Current soil science research programs in which graduate students are participating include: unsaturated water flow; soil- plant relationships; stability of minerals and controls on heavy metal levels; nutrient budgets of cropping systems; movement and transformation of pesticides and xenobiotic chemicals; microbial ecology; fate of engineered microorganisms; phytotoxicity and crop residue management; no-till soil and crop management; fertility and mineral nutrition; soil interpretations for land use and development; benchmark soils; agricultural and urban waste recycling.

Faculty members in Soil Science also participate in the interdepartmental Department of Biochemistry/Biophysics and the Program in Environmental Science at Washington State University, and cooperate with the University of Idaho in teaching graduate courses.

Soil Science academic program requirements

Program requirements are outlined in detail in the  Graduate Student Handbook.

Recommended Areas of Competency

To the extent possible, Soil Science graduate students should be knowledgeable in all five sub-disciplinary areas of Soils (chemistry, fertility, morphology, biology, and physics). However, because many students entering graduate school have received their BS and/or MS degrees from an area outside of Soil Science, it is sometimes not possible to take a graded course in each of these five areas as part of the graduate degree. Soil Science Faculty strongly recommend that a graded Soil Science course be taken in a minimum of three of the five sub-disciplinary areas in Soil Science. These courses can be obtained at any time during their educational career.

College of Agricultural Sciences

Ph.D. in Soil and Crop Science

In This Section

• Future Students
• Request More Info
• Apply Today

Doctor of Philosophy in Soil and Crop Science

Do You Want to Develop the Science, Practices, and Technology to Feed the World While Minimizing the Environmental Impact of Agriculture? 

The Doctor of Philosophy in Soil and Crop Science has many comprehensive research programs, which develops deep knowledge and understanding of soils, plants, microbiomes, genomics, or related topics through the development of original research under the mentorship of world-class scientists. Gain exposure and preparation in a range of career paths where you can make an important impact.

Because of Colorado’s exciting and diverse landscapes, a variety of soil systems – agricultural, forest and rangeland – are available for study by graduate students in the department. The Colorado Front Range also presents a unique opportunity to study the effects of urbanization on rural soil and water environments.

The Faculty has a strong history of collaboration, both within and outside the Department, and encourages Graduate Students to conduct their work in a cross-disciplinary fashion. With connections to Engineering, Natural Resources, Natural Sciences, and more; the Department provides a creative and dynamic learning experience for Graduate Students committed to the study and application of soil science.

Before You Apply

Because of our strong collaborative ethic, we require you to have an advisor prior to applying to the doctoral program. Be sure to fully understand our application requirements before you apply .

Visit the CSU Graduate School website to learn more about the program.

Where You’ll Find Us

Agricultural Research and Development Center

Work directly with crops and livestock at this research and teaching complex — one of ten around the state.

Learn More about ARDEC

Nutrien Agricultural Sciences Building

CSU's new home for Colorado agriculture, student aspirations and agricultural innovation for global impact.

Learn more about the Nutrien Building

Related Interests

• Agriculture
• Agroecosystems Management
• Environmental Science
• Plant Breeding and Genetics
• Soil and Crop Management

Related Careers

• Entrepreneurship
• Environmental or Crop Consulting
• Government Agencies and Non-Profits Organizations
• State and National Park Services Seed, Chemical, or Fertilizer Companies

Department Advisor

Kierra jewell.

For more information, contact Kierra Jewell , Academic Contact for the Soil and Crop Sciences Graduate programs.

University Catalog 2023-2024

Soil science (phd), degree requirements, additional requirements.

All Doctoral students must demonstrate competence in the five soil science sub-disciplines listed below.

• Soil Chemistry
• Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
• Soil Genesis and Classification
• Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry
• Soil Physics

The required competencies can be achieved by any combination of the following:

• relevant course work from previous undergraduate and/or graduate degree programs;
• prior professional experience in the major sub-discipline(s); and
• graduate courses included in the student’s Plan of Work (POW) for their current degree program.
• If the student has an MS degree from another institution, a maximum of 18 hours of relevant graduate credit from that degree may be applied toward this minimum, upon the recommendation of the student’s Graduate Advisory Committee, and the minimum required will be 54 semester credit hours
• If a student completes an MS degree at NC State and continues for a doctoral degree without a break in time, up to 36 relevant credit hours taken while in master’s status may be used to meet minimum requirements for the doctoral degree. If there is a break in time between completing the master’s (at NC State) and beginning the doctorate (at NC State), the allowance is limited to 18 hours. Either allowance may include those 400-level courses taken as an approved part of the MS degree. ​
• Completion of preliminary written and oral examinations must be completed within six calendar years from the date of admission
• Successful completion of an original research program
• Success completion of the final oral examination
• Completion of a non-credit exit seminar
• Aziz Amoozegar Area of Research: Environmental Soil Physics
• Stephen W. Broome Area of Research: Environmental Soil Science
• David A. Crouse Area of Research: Soil Science Education
• Owen W. Duckworth Area of Research: Soil Biogeochemistry
• Alan J. Franzluebbers Area of Research: Soil Ecology and Management
• John L. Havlin Area of Research: Soil Fertility
• Joshua L. Heitman Area of Research: Soil Physics & Hydrology
• Richard A. McLaughlin Area of Research: Urban Soil & Water Management
• Michael D. Mullen Area of Research: Soil Biology & Soil Science Education
• Deanna L. Osmond Area of Research: Soil Fertility & Watershed Management
• Wei Shi Area of Research: Soil Microbiology & Ecology
• Michael J. Vepraskas Area of Research: Wetland Soils & Pedology

Associate Professors

• Luciano C. Gatiboni Area of Research: Soil Fertility & Nutrient Management
• Alexandria K. Graves Area of Research: Soil Microbiology

Assistant Professors

• Kevin Garcia Area of Research: Plant-Microbe Interactions & Nutrient Transport
• Amy M. Johnson Area of Research: Soil Science
• Stephanie B. Kulesza Area of Research: Nutrient Management and Animal Waste
• Hui Li Area of Research: Environmental Soil Chemistry
• Ekrem Ozlu Area of Research: Soil Management
• Matthew C. Ricker Area of Research: Pedology
• Alex L. Woodley Area of Research: Sustainable Agricultural Systems

Practice/Research/Teaching Professor

• Robert E. Austin Area of Research: Geospatial Information and Analytics in Soils, Agriculture and Environmental Science

Print Options

Send Page to Printer

Print this page.

Download Page (PDF)

The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

A PDF of the entire 2023-2024 Undergraduate catalog.

2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

A PDF of the entire 2023-2024 Graduate catalog.

• Apply to UW
• Programs & Majors
• Cost & Financial Aid
• Current Students
• UW Libraries
• Online Degrees
• Catalogs & Courses
• Degree Plans
• Advising & Career Services
• UW College of Law
• Honors College
• Academic Affairs
• Geological Museum
• All Colleges
• Campus Recreation
• Campus Maps
• Housing & Dining
• Transit & Parking
• University Store
• Student Organizations
• Campus Activities
• Campus Safety
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Research & Economic Dev.
• Wyoming INBRE
• Neuroscience Center
• Technology Business Center
• National Parks Service
• Research Production Center
• Supercomputing
• Water Research
• WY EPSCoR/IDeA
• American Heritage Center
• Where We Shine
• About Laramie
• Student Stories
• Campus Fact Book
• UWYO Magazine
• Marketing & Brand Center
• Administrative Resources
• Strategic Plan
• +Application Login
• UW Homepage
• Prospective
• Soil Science
• Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management
• Reclamation and Restoration

Ecosystem Science and Management

Agriculture Building 2013

Department #3354

1000 E. University Ave.

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-2263

Email: [email protected]

College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources

Soil science ms and phd.

Soil Science is the field that examines the formation, distribution, functioning, and management of soils.  Wyoming is an important natural resources state with many energy extraction, mining, and wildland management issues. As a result, there are many interesting soil-related research questions in the state with significant socio-economic impacts.

Most of our students pursue careers with federal land management or conservation agencies (i.e., Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resources Conservation Society), state and federal regulatory agencies (i.e., Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality), mining and oil companies, environmental consulting companies, or scientific research organizations.  

*Application Notes:

Students admitted year round on grant funded Graduate Assistantships.  Students applying for the state funded Graduate Assistantships or the ESM Merit Fellowship are required to have a GRE of 317 (1330), and are required apply to ESM by January 31 .

Degree Programs

Master's degree.

The M.S. program is geared toward teaching graduate students the tools necessary to conduct robust scientific research. This program requires 30 credit hours (at least 12 from Soil Science) approved by the student's graduate advisory committee and an approved research plan. 

    Find faculty in this area >>

    Click here to apply >>  

Doctorate Degree

The Ph.D. program allows graduate students to use the research-oriented tools learned during a master's program to conduct research on a major question surrounding rangeland ecology and watershed management.  This program requires 72 credit hours (at least 12 from Soil Science) that includes credits earned during a Masters degree that are approved by the student's graduate advisory committee and an approved research plan.

    Click here to apply >>

More about Soil Science

Soil is an important natural resource that supports plants and animals, large and small. Soil processes such as water retention and nutrient cycling play key roles in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Without soil, plants would have nowhere to root, farmers would have no crop to harvest, and every rain event would result in a flood.  Soils may take a long time to form and preservation of the soil resource through careful management is of critical importance. Soil systems are generally complex with many interacting physical, biological, and chemical processes. Soil Science is the field that examines the formation, distribution, functioning, and management of soils. In the past, soils were primarily studied within the context of food production. Nowadays, soils are seen as an integral part of natural and managed ecosystems with important linkages to the atmosphere, groundwater, and surface water.

The soil science graduate program at the University of Wyoming offers both MS and PhD degrees. The graduate program is supported by faculty specializing in soil classification, soil physics, soil chemistry, soil microbiology, and soil fertility. Campus wide, faculty in the fields of rangeland ecology and management, watershed management, plant science, ecology, hydrology, geology, and engineering also contribute to the soil science graduate program. Facilities include on-campus research laboratories, a soil testing laboratory, and four agricultural experiment stations. Wyoming is an important natural resources state with many energy extraction, mining, and wildland management issues. As a result, there are many interesting soil-related research questions in the state with significant socio-economic impacts. Research is also conducted outside Wyoming on topics related to food security, water quality, and climate change.

Students who complete the soil science graduate program at the University of Wyoming generally pursue careers at state and federal land management and regulatory agencies, energy and mining companies, environmental consulting companies, and scientific research organizations.

Most of our students pursue careers with federal land management or conservation agencies (i.e., Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resources Conservation Society), state and federal regulatory agencies (i.e., Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality), mining and oil companies, environmental consulting companies, or scientific research organizations.

For both the M.S. and Ph.D. Soil Science degree programs, students will be required to complete the necessary course and research credit hours, determined by the student's graduate committee and approved by the University of Wyoming Graduate School.

PhD in Plant and Soil Sciences

Become a successful leader in research, education, and industry through agricultural and environmental studies..

The PhD in plant and soil sciences program at UMass Amherst allows you to work with top faculty at a renowned university known for its support of sustainable local, national, and global agriculture through research and education.

We offer expertise in the full spectrum of agricultural and environmental study, including:

• Plant physiology
• Environmental science
• Molecular biology
• Plant biotechnology
• Plant pathology/pathogen ecology
• Production technology 
• Soil science
• Agricultural marketing
• Integrated pest management

Through coursework, research, fieldwork, and collaboration with faculty and peers, you’ll achieve mastery of your subject, take comprehensive exams, and complete a dissertation.

Related offerings

Students interested in our PhD in Plant and Soil Sciences may also be interested in these other offerings.

• Bachelor of Science in Plant and Soil Sciences
• Minor in Plant and Soil Sciences
• Master of Science in Plant and Soil Sciences
• 5th Year Master of Science in Plant and Soil Sciences
• Master of Science in Plant Biology
• PhD in Plant Biology

Featured faculty

Masoud hashemi.

Masoud Hashemi is a graduate program director and an extension professor in the Stockbridge School of Agriculture.

Plant and Soil Sciences

Train in biology and laboratory methods to focus your studies on plant science and applied biology.

Global footer

• ©2024 University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Site policies
• Non-discrimination notice
• Accessibility
• Terms of use

Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science

• Fall January 10
• Spring July 1

International students may need to surpass the Graduate School’s minimum English language proficiency exam scores for this program. If the graduate program has unique score requirements, they will be detailed below. Otherwise, please refer to the Graduate School’s minimum score guidelines.

• GRE Optional

Degree Description:

We offer MS and PhD degrees in Crop Science and Soil Science, with the ability to focus research in a variety of specialized areas within each discipline. Current research foci in  Crop Science  include plant breeding, genomics, molecular genetics, grass management, and weed science.  We work with wheat, forages, barley, alternative grains (quinoa, spelt, oats), grain legumes, brassicas and turf. The  Soil Science  program features research in biogeochemistry, microbiology, nutrient management, the rhizosphere and vadose zone hydrology. Crop and Soil Science faculty also lead collaborative research on  organic, sustainable and precision agriculture and cropping systems . Program options in  human dimensional  areas include agricultural education and rural sociology.

Currently home to 33  faculty   members, and over 50 graduate students, the department can ensure great one on one faculty-student contact. Our graduate student population is ~60% Crop Science and 30% Soil Science students, 40% of whom are international students.

We have many research projects in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), in addition to research being conducted in association with other universities.  Research infrastructure  includes state-of-the-art laboratories and greenhouse facilities, and research farms located in Pullman, as well as throughout the state at four  Research and Extension Centers .  Graduate students gain valuable skills and knowledge working side by side with faculty members and research staff and play an integral role in the advancing research on local to globally-relevant problems and opportunities. Students also have the opportunity to gain leadership, communication, and instructional experience by serving as teaching assistants and participating in leadership and professional development opportunities offered by the department, college and university.

Admission Requirements:

Undergraduates who anticipate graduate study in Soil Science at Washington State University are advised to obtain a background in natural sciences including botany, geology, genetics, chemistry, mathematics, physics, statistics, and plant and soil sciences.

Acceptance of qualified applicants is generally dependent upon availability of research support and a suitable advisor. Students who are applying for a PhD in soils must either have an MS thesis degree or have a BS in soil science or closely related field and have adequate undergraduate research experience. The final decision to admit a student with only a BS degree into the PhD program rests with the soil science faculty.

Student Opportunities:

Students have the opportunity to gain leadership, communication, and instructional experience through the option of serving as teaching assistants for one or more courses within their discipline. Extension program delivery, and Graduate School teacher training and grant proposal writing workshop opportunities are also available.

Career Opportunities:

Soil scientists with advanced degrees may find employment in government agencies, national labs, academia, private business, environmental and agricultural consulting, and organic, international, and sustainable agriculture.

Career Placements:

University faculty positions, National Lab scientists, USDA scientists, Agribusiness owners, Extension agents, Natural Resource Conservation Service scientists, Soil fertility analysts/consultants, University administrators.

Contact Information:

• CAHNRS Graduate Center [email protected]

Graduate School

• Resources to Prepare for Graduate School
• Adonara Mucek, Ph.D. Geology '17
• Adriana Mendoza, Ph.D. Mathematics '14
• Andrew Olsen
• Becca Maher ('21, Ph.D.)
• Bryan Lynn, Ph.D. Integrative Biology
• Celeste Frazier Barthel, Ph.D. Education '21
• Diane Brandt
• Francesca Germano, Toxicology, M.S.
• Garrett Rogers
• Jafra Thomas
• Jen Hayes, Horticulture, PhD
• Jordan Jimmie
• Jordan Spradlin, Public Health, MPH
• Kalina Fahey, Psychology, Ph.D.
• Katie Stelling, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Ph.D.
• Kelsey Contreras
• Layla Ghazi
• Marie Tosa, Ph.D. Wildlife Sciences
• Sara Letton
• Tiara Walz, Ph.D. Public Health
• Glossary of Terms
• Master's Students
• Doctoral Students
• Certificate Students
• Graduate School Orientation 2023
• Graduate Teaching Orientation 2023
• Do I Qualify to Attend Graduate Summer Step?
• Orientation for Winter, Spring and Summer Terms
• Co-sponsorships
• Your Graduate Committee
• Student Resources
• Grad Research Photo Competition
• Tips for Scheduling Committee Meetings
• Program of Study
• Formatting a Thesis or Dissertation
• Pretext Pages Templates
• Commencement
• Grad Inspire
• Grievance Procedures
• Request a Workshop
• Earning Concurrent Degrees or Pursuing a Dual Major
• Career Preparation
• Grad Writing Group Challenge
• Graduate Writing Center Online
• Changing or Adding a Degree, Major or Certificate
• GRAD 420 - Graduate School Preparation
• GRAD 512 - Current Issues in Higher Education
• GRAD 513 - Professional Development in College and University Teaching
• GRAD 516 - Graduate Teaching Seminar
• GRAD 520 - Responsible Conduct of Research
• GRAD 521 - Research Data Management
• GRAD 542 - The Inclusive College Classroom
• GRAD 543 - Dialogue Facilitation in Professional Contexts: Skills and Practice for Graduate Students
• GRAD 550 - Introduction to Online Course Development and Facilitation
• GRAD 560 - Theories of Teaching and Learning
• GRAD 561 - Course Design and Methods
• GRAD 599 - Creating Happiness
• GRAD 599 - Interdisciplinary Teams
• WR 599 - Graduate Writing for English Language Learners
• WR 599 - Scientific and Technical Research Writing
• WR 599 - Writing Workshop for Thesis and Dissertation Writers
• OSU Grad Advantage
• Graduate Faculty Membership
• Graduate Council Representatives
• Policy updates
• Holistic Admissions
• Defining the Graduate Mentor
• The Importance of Mentors
• Apprenticeship and Mentoring
• Mentor and Mentee Pairing
• Maintaining and Evaluating Mentoring
• Suggestions for Mentoring Programs
• Handbooks, Manuals, and Guides
• Mentoring Bibliography
• Communication Items
• Detailed Considerations for a Joint Degree Program
• MOU Outline for Creating a Joint Program
• College and Program Recruitment Representatives
• Graduate Recruitment Tips
• Helpful Recruitment Links
• Shared Graduate Recruitment Schedule
• Leave of Absence and Family Medical Leave Eligibility
• Mentor Training for Faculty
• Student Funding
• Student Progress
• Student Progress Information for Programs
• Student Registration Information
• August 2023 Newsletter
• Sept 2023 Newsletter
• October 2023 Newsletter
• November 2023 Newsletter
• April 2024 Newsletter
• Dec 2023 Newsletter
• Feb 2024 Newsletter
• Jan 2024 Newsletter
• March 2024 Newsletter
• May 2024 Newsletter
• Strategic Plan
• Request Info
• Current Students
• Faculty Resources

You are here

Soil science (ph.d., m.s., minor).

The Crop and Soil Science department offer graduate programs, with specialization in various fields of soil science, leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Supporting coursework is chosen for each student from the basic sciences and other related fields. Original research is an essential part of M.S. and Ph.D. programs.

Each program is individually designed by the student and his or her graduate committee. The student chooses a major professor and representatives of their major field of study. Faculty research specializations in soil science include soil fertility, nutrient management, water quality, soil conservation, pedology, soil geomorphology, soil genesis, soil biogeochemistry, soil geochemistry, soil ecology, mineral-organic matter interactions, agricultural soils, and forest soils.

  Soil Science Website

  College of Agricultural Sciences

 Corvallis

Primary & MAIS Contact

Applications contact, admissions requirements, required tests.

Will use GRE or GMAT scores as additional criteria if you do not meet the minimum GPA requirements

English Language Requirements ?

English language requirements for international applicants to this program are the same as the standard Graduate School requirements .

Additional Requirements

Application requirements, including required documents, letters, and forms, vary by program and may not be completely represented here. The processing of your application will not be completed until these requirements have been met. Please, before applying to this program, always contact the program office to confirm application requirements.

Application Process

Please review the graduate school application process and Apply Online .

Dates & Deadlines ?

Admissions deadline for all applicants, funding deadline for all applicants, concentrations , mais participation.

This program may serve as a primary, secondary, or third field of study in a MAIS degree .

AMP Participation ?

This program does not participate in the Accelerated Master's Platform (AMP)

Contact Info

Graduate School Heckart Lodge 2900 SW Jefferson Way Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331-1102

Phone: 541-737-4881 Fax: 541-737-3313

• Programs - Majors, minors and certificates
• Academic Progress
• Student Success
• Faculty Support
• Staff Directory
• Graduate Catalog

• Faculty Advisory Board
• Industry Advisors
• Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigeneity
• Undergraduate
• International Opportunities
• Certificate Programs
• Indigenous Students
• Research Centres & Groups
• Research Facilities
• LFS Scholar Series
• Postdoctoral Fellows
• 2024 Pacific Agriculture Show
• Grapes to Glass
• Alumni In Business
• Young Alumni Council
• LFS Mentorship
• Priority Areas
• Hire A Student
• Engage With Students
• Impact Stories
• Tech Support

Soil Science (MSc, PhD)

Do you see the trees . . . and not just the forest? Whether your game is forest nutrition, crop quality or watershed management — or maybe all three — this is where you can design the learning path you want, and advance the stewardship and sustainability of our land, water and food systems. Offered in collaboration with the Faculty of Forestry, our MSc and PhD programs promise to challenge and excite you, and inspire discovery that opens doors to new understandings.

PhD :  Soil Science – Doctor of Philosophy – Postgraduate / Graduate Degree Program – UBC Grad School

Msc :  soil science – master of science – postgraduate / graduate degree program – ubc grad school, what you need to know.

• Why Pursue Graduate Studies in Soil Science at UBC?
• Program Overview
• Degree Requirements

UBC offers its graduate programs in Soil Science through a collaboration between the Faculty of Land and Food Systems and the Faculty of Forestry. Our inter-faculty MSc and PhD programs set the stage for a breadth and depth of learning, advanced study and research that is unique among universities.

A collaboration between the Faculty of Land and Food Systems and Faculty of Forestry, the inter-faculty Soil Science graduate program offers opportunities for advanced study and research leading to MSc and PhD degrees. Students are registered in the Faculty of Graduate Studies through either the Faculty of Land and Food Systems or the Faculty of Forestry, depending upon their research interests.

Areas of study include biometeorology, forest nutrition and nutrient cycling, mycorrhizal ecology, soil biology, soil quality and fertility, soil-plant interactions, ecosystem services, and land and water systems.

Applicants to UBC graduate programs should have academic backgrounds within the minimum academic requirements listed by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

• LFS Graduate Admissions
• UBC Graduate Admissions

The MSc program requirements are as follows:

• minimum of 18 credits of coursework including the Graduate Seminar SOIL 500 (3 credits)
• 12 credits of thesis research

With a 12-credit thesis, students can include a maximum of 6 credits of senior undergraduate courses.

Additional coursework may be recommended upon consultation with the student’s supervisory committee.

The PhD program requirements are as follows:

• Appropriate coursework will be selected in consultation with the candidate’s committee.
• All candidates are required to take a comprehensive examination.
• The major requirement for the PhD is completion of a research thesis demonstrating the ability to conduct significant and original scientific research.

Faculty Members

Thomas Forge

[cf faculty-interests]

Jean-Thomas Cornelis

Sean Smukler

Sue Grayston

Christopher Chanway

Sandra Brown

Andrew Black

Collaborations.

• Julie Wilson (Lecturer), Master of Land and Water Systems, UBC. Watershed assessment and management, land-water interactions, environmental science.  [email protected]
• Shannon Berch (Adjunct Professor), BC Ministry of Environment, Victoria. Soil mycorrhizae. [email protected]
• Chuck Bulmer (Adjunct Professor), BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. Range: Vernon. Soil rehabilitation.  [email protected]
• Brian Wallace (Adjunct Professor), BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Kamloops. Forest soil.  [email protected]
• Tom Forge (Adjunct Professor), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Summerland. Soil ecology.  [email protected]
• Rachhpal Jassal (Research Associate). Carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions, soil-nutrient-water interactions.  [email protected]
• Loretta Li (Professor), Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, UBC. Soil-contaminant interaction.  [email protected]
• Paul Mitchell-Banks (Adjunct Professor), Central Coast Consulting, Port Moody, BC. Resource planning, aboriginal economic development, environmental assessment.  [email protected]
• William Mohn (Professor), Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UBC. Soil bioremediation.  [email protected]
• Dan Moore (Professor), Faculty of Science (Geography), UBC. Hydrology, hydroclimatology, riparian processes and management, physical water quality.  [email protected]
• David Spittlehouse (Adjunct Professor), BBC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. Range: Victoria. Climate change, forest meteorology.  [email protected]
• Shabtai Bittman (Adjunct Professor), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agassiz. Soil quality.  [email protected]

The program is enriched through collaboration with colleagues in other graduate programs at UBC such as Forestry, Geography, Plant Science, Institute for Resources and Environment, Landscape Architecture, and in agencies such as Environment Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Forest Innovation Investment, and various provincial government agencies.

Recent Thesis Research Topics

• agriculture and ecosystem services
• application of information technology in soil science education
• bioavailability assessment of trace-metal contaminants in urban soils
• biological nitrogen fixation
• carbon and energy budgets of pre- to post-harvest forests
• effects of weathering on the surface properties of minerals
• energy, water and carbon budgets of agricultural and forest ecosystems
• land-use impacts on soil quality of rangelands and forests
• organic matter and nitrogen dynamics in reclaimed soils
• phosphorus transformations in soils
• plant-mycorrhiza-soil interactions and forest resilience to climate change
• rhizosphere microbiology in agricultural and forest soils
• soil microbial diversity and function in forest sites
• understanding ecosystems as complex adaptive systems

Got Questions?

Whether you’ve got questions about your program, your experience or your next steps, Graduate Student Services is here to help. Get in touch.

Where Can a Graduate Degree in Soil Science Take You?

Graduates of UBC’s Soil Science MSc and PhD degree programs often obtain positions with government or in the private sector. Some graduates decide to continue in the area of research and academia with various universities and colleges. Examples of where some graduates are employed:

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• BC Ministry of Forests
• Canadian Forest Service
• Environment Canada
• Associate Professor, University of Guelph
• Associate Professor, Yale University
• Associate Professor, University of Northern BC
• Assistant Professor, University of Bengukulu, Indonesia
• Assistant Professor, University of Venda for Science and Technology, South Africa

Research Updates

Building a resilient food system starts with the soil.

Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes (SAL) Lab published a paper this summer that measured soil organic carbon in the Fraser Valley from 1984 to 2018, reporting that 61% of the farms, soil organic carbon was in decline. Results proposes the next step of the research, which is to evaluate which specific methods are contributing this decline, and working with farmers to find solutions.

Research on Delta farms can improve soil productivity and drainage

B.C. study addresses how to make farming more sustainable.

Search Utah State University:

Soil science - ms, phd.

About This Degree

USU is the only university in the state that offers degrees in soil science.

The graduate programs in soil science are concerned with the chemical, physical, and biological aspects of the soil. This program is particularly strong in water-related issues, especially regional issues involving water and irrigation in the West. In particular, USU boasts unique and renown areas concentrating on digital soil mapping which aids in flood prediction, land restoration, using state-of-the-art environmental sensors to monitor greenhouse gas emissions, and tracking contaminant transport through soils caused by mountain snowmelt.

Students are able to focus their research on solving current issues and problems in areas including soil and water chemistry/biogeochemistry, soil biology and ecology, soils and nutrient bioavailability, environmental soil physics, soil and water management, soil genesis, morphology, and classification, and sustainable agroecosystems. Soil scientists fill the gap between engineers, geologists, and ecologists, and play a major role in ensuring that high-quality soil and water are available to current and future generations.

At a Glance

College: College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

Department: Plants, Soils and Climate Department

USU Locations:

• Logan campus

Program Requirements

• Update this page

Career And Outcomes

Career opportunities.

Graduates in soil science can pursue the following careers:

• Soil scientists with government agencies
• Conservation
• Land management
• Soil testing
• Soil fertility research
• Fertilizer development
• Monitoring and remedying environmental pollution in soil and water
• Environmental consultants
• Fertilizer retail
• Irrigation system design
• Waste management
• Mine land reclamation

Job Outlook

Request for information and advising, jeanette norton.

Professor, PSC Graduate Program Advisor Email: [email protected] Office: AGRS 344 Phone: (435) 797-2166

I am not a current USU student

I have not applied or been admitted, even if I've taken a USU Concurrent Enrollment course

I am a current USU student

I have been admitted and plan to attend, or continue attending USU

USU Locations

LOGAN CAMPUS

Admission Requirements

Students without an undergraduate or graduate degree in plants, soils, biometeorology, or a closely related field may be required to complete selected undergraduate courses prior to admission.

Application Requirements:

• Complete the online application
• Pay the $55 application fee
• Score at or above the 40th percentile on the GRE
• Have a 3.0 or higher GPA on your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits
• Provide transcripts of all college/university credits
• Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation

International students have additional admissions requirements .

Applications for graduate programs are accepted year-round. However, chances for acceptance are best if students apply between October and January of each academic year. The time it takes to process an application is primarily dependent on the speed with which the School of Graduate Studies receives letters of recommendation, transcripts, and test scores. For most students, this process may take six to eight weeks. Applicants should plan accordingly.

PhD Qualifying Exams:

Each student must undergo some sort of qualifying experience. Depending on the student’s particular research and their faculty committee, the exam can either be a traditional oral and written exam, a scholarly proposal, or another option best suited to the student’s individual situation.

Plan Options

Students can receive the MS by pursuing one of two options:

• In the Plan A option, students complete graduate-level coursework and must write a thesis.
• The Plan B option requires the production of a paper or creative work of art and is expected to reflect equivalent scholarship standards as a thesis.

Students are encouraged to pursue the Plan A option.

Financial Aid

The department typically funds all of its graduate students with research assistantships.

A variety of funding opportunities are available on the graduate school website .

Take The Next Step

How to apply.

View our step-by-step guide on how to become an Aggie.

Request Information

Contact the School of Graduate Studies to ask questions or receive more information.

Cost and Funding

Calculate the cost of graduate school and learn about funding opportunities.

You May Also Be Interested In

Climate Science

Participate in cutting-edge research in the only program of its kind in the region as you study issues dealing with climate and its connections to land in the Intermountain region.

Work on exciting research projects with renowned faculty studying ecology through the lens of a variety of different scientific disciplines.

Study a variety of research areas in geology in a department that fosters faculty interaction and specialized attention.

Plant Science

Research the biology, genetics, and management of plants in the only agriculturally focused plant science degree in the state.

Program Requirements

The BS degree program in Plant and Environmental Sciences is a multidisciplinary program that educates students with expertise in soils, crop sciences, and applied agricultural biotechnology. It offers students a rigorous, science-based degree with educational opportunities related to management of agricultural commodities and natural resources, as well as soil and water resources. Students can tailor the program to fit their professional and academic goals by selecting one of three concentrations.

The Agricultural Biotechnology Concentration integrates conventional disciplines with molecular advances in plants, pathogens, and biosystem interactions and responds to the educational void between the rapid adoption of biotechnology products into agricultural production and the intermediate- and end-users, farmers, and consumers. Graduates in this concentration will be competitive as scientists in emerging agricultural biotechnology industries, as educators, and as policy makers and officers in regulatory agencies.

Students with a concentration in Agronomy will graduate with comprehensive knowledge to increase farm profits by decreasing the costs of crop production; build soil tilth and fertility through rotations, multiple cropping, and nutrient cycling; protect the environment by minimizing or more efficiently using synthetic agrichemicals; manage crop pests and weeds with integrated, ecologically sound strategies; develop strategies for profitable marketing of agricultural commodities; and create a strong, diversified agriculture that is stable through market and weather fluctuations. Graduates can assume positions as self-employed farmers, farm managers, state and federal natural resource managers, research technicians, agricultural industry employees, greenhouse managers, consultants in pest management and sustainable agriculture, field ecology professionals, agritourism industry specialists, extension personnel, or regulatory officers.

Students with a concentration in Soil and Water Science can address compelling problems such as land application of agricultural and industrial wastes, reduction of contamination of ground and surface waters, establishment of functional septic drain fields, and production of food and fiber crops. Graduates will be able to establish careers in traditional agrarian fields such as soil scientists and conservationists, extension agents, and farm consultants, and in the broader environmental arenas of DHEC, consulting engineering firms, and environmental consulting. Graduates will be well prepared for graduate work in fields ranging from soil science to environmental engineering and law.

Combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science Degree Program

Plant and Environmental Sciences students may begin a Master of Science degree in Plant and Environmental Sciences or a Master of Science degree in Entomology while completing their Bachelor of Science degree, and use up to 12 credits to satisfy the requirements of both the undergraduate and the graduate degrees. To be eligible for this plan, students must have a 3.4 or higher grade-point average and have completed at least 90 credits of coursework. Details are available from the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences.

Freshman Year

First semester.

• BIOL 1030 - General Biology I 3 Credits 1*
• BIOL 1050 - General Biology Laboratory I 1 Credit 1*
• CH 1010 - General Chemistry 4 Credits
• ENGL 1030 - Composition and Rhetoric 3 Credits
• PES 1040 - Introduction to Plant Sciences 3 Credits

Credit Hours: 14

Second semester.

• BIOL 1040 - General Biology II 3 Credits 1*
• BIOL 1060 - General Biology Laboratory II 1 Credit 1*
• CH 1020 - General Chemistry 4 Credits
• MATH 1020 - Business Calculus I 3 Credits
• MATH 1060 - Calculus of One Variable I 4 Credits
• STAT 2300 - Statistical Methods I 3 Credits
• Arts and Humanities (Non-Literature) Requirement 3 Credits 2*

Credit Hours: 17-18

1* BIOL 1100    may substitute for BIOL 1030   / BIOL 1050    and BIOL 1110    may substitute for BIOL 1040   / BIOL 1060   ; BIOL 1100    and BIOL 1110    are recommended for students in the Agricultural Biotechnology Concentration.

2* See General Education Requirements   . PHIL 1030    is recommended for students in the Agricultural Biotechnology Concentration.

Concentration

Sophomore year.

• CH 2010 - Survey of Organic Chemistry 3 Credits
• CH 2020 - Survey of Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 Credits
• GEOL 1010 - Physical Geology 3 Credits
• GEOL 1030 - Physical Geology Laboratory 1 Credits
• PES 2020 - Soils 4 Credits
• PHYS 2070 - General Physics I 3 Credits
• PHYS 2090 - General Physics I Laboratory 1 Credit

Credit Hours: 16

• COMM 1500 - Introduction to Human Communication 3 Credits
• COMM 2500 - Public Speaking 3 Credits
• MICR 3050 - General Microbiology 3 Credits
• MICR 3060 - General Microbiology Laboratory 1 Credit
• PHYS 2080 - General Physics II 3 Credits
• PHYS 2100 - General Physics II Laboratory 1 Credit
• Social Science Requirement 3 Credits 1

Junior Year

• AGM 3010 - Soil and Water Conservation 3 Credits
• PES (ENSP) 3150 - Environment and Agriculture 3 Credits
• Concentration Requirement 6 Credits 2
• Global Challenges Requirement 3 Credits 1

Credit Hours: 15

• BIOL (PES) 4020 - Plant Physiology Laboratory 1 Credit
• BIOL (PES) 4040 - Plant Physiology 3 Credits
• ENGL 3140 - Technical Writing 3 Credits
• ENGL 3150 - Scientific Writing and Communication 3 Credits

Senior Year

• PES 3500 - Practicum 1-6 Credits (3 Credits Required)
• PES 4030 - Soil Genesis and Classification 2 Credits
• Applied Spatial Technology Requirement 3 Credits 3
• Arts and Humanities (Literature) Requirement 3 Credits 1
• Field Scale Environmental Management Requirement 3 Credits 4
• PES 4550 - Seminar 1 Credits
• PES 4900 - Beneficial Soil Organisms in Plant Growth 3 Credits
• Concentration Requirement 4 Credits 2

Total Credits: 120-121

1 See General Education Requirements   . Three of these credits must also satisfy the South Carolina REACH Act Requirement. See the South Carolina REACH Act Requirement in the Academic Regulations    section.

2 Sixteen credits selected from  AGRB 3570   , AGRB 4520   , BCHM 3050   , BE 4240   , BIOL 4340   , CH 3130   , CH 3170   , CH 4130   ,  EES 4140   , ENR 4130   , ETOX 4460   , ETOX 4470   , FNR 4660   ,  GEOL 3000   ,  HORT 4560   , MICR 4020   , MICR 4100   , PES 4060   , PES 4210   ,  PES 4220   , PES 4230   ,  PES 4260   , PES 4460   , PES 4520   , PES 4530   , PES 4850   ,  PES 4960   / PES 4970   , and WFB 3130   .

3 Select AGM 4100   , FOR 4330   , or GEOL 4210   .

4 Select from AGM 4020   ,  EES 4140   , GEOL 3000   , GEOL 4090   , GEOL 4820   ,  PES 4080   , PES 4450   , and PES 4460   .

Crop and Soil Sciences News

• International Programs
• Employee Portal
• Full Site Navigation
• Strategic Plan
• Alumni and Giving
• Undergraduate
• Scholarships
• Student Opportunities
• Adjunct Faculty
• Emeritus Faculty
• EPA Professionals
• Graduate Students
• Faculty and Staff Resources
• Research Programs
• Research for Commodities
• Virtual Events
• Extension Programs
• Extension for Commodities
• Training Programs
• Lab Services
• Publications

Licensed to Drill: Educating the Professional Soil Scientist 

North Carolina’s meteoric real estate market was once frequently bottlenecked at its beginning, soils permitting. Every new septic system requires a site survey and permit to approve the land’s ability to support its future use. That used to depend on a single individual or two in county offices.

Not every soil can accommodate the grand visions we create. Incompatible land use can cause catastrophic impacts on environmental and human health. Understanding soil types, function and appropriate use requires independent expertise that starts with classroom soil science.

Licensed Professionalism

As NC land interest took off in the 1980s and 90s, eager real estate sellers and human health specialists occasionally claimed to potential buyers they ‘knew the land’ and made uninformed land use assurances. For speculative buyers, trusting lay experience on the pivotal issue of land use was a risky bet when multi-million dollar deals were on the table.

That changed in 1995 when the NC legislature approved a law requiring individuals doing soil mapping and analysis to be licensed soil scientists. The law also made it a misdemeanor to practice without a license.

“Back in the early 90s, anyone could purchase an auger and do soil work,” said Jim Beeson, founder of Piedmont Environmental Associates. “Many trained soil scientists realized that our industry had grown into a true profession, not unlike surveyors or engineers, and it needed licensure.”

Licensing soil scientists ensured practitioners had the education and on-the-ground experience to assess and recommend land use accurately. It also established an authoritative body.  

“Now, as licensed professionals, we are governed by a board that can take disciplinary actions if needed,” Beeson said. “Licensing connotates a standard of service that provides confidence and value to our clients and the citizens of North Carolina.”

In NC, over 160 licensed soil scientists can now site and approve the growing number of new commercial and residential septic systems. 

Mapping Careers with NRCS

But soil scientists work in other capacities. Some work as civil engineers, while others work with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service or forest services.

NRCS employment offers ten titles in different soil science positions, from local soil scientists to soil survey leaders up to state, regional and national soil scientists. Many NRCS employees start as student trainees in soil science, which often leads to a permanent position. 

Soil scientists needn’t be licensed to work with NRCS. However, every soil position at NRCS necessitates a minimum educational requirement of 15 hours of soil-specific academic courses. Applicants may be graduates with a soil science degree or other related degree while carrying the required 15-hour soils classes. 

How to Become a North Carolina Licensed Soil Scientist

No matter which direction a soil career path takes, becoming licensed can be a crucial step.

NC soil science licensure requires :

• General character qualifications with four letters of reference
• A bachelor’s degree with 30 hours in agricultural, biological, physical, or earth sciences  
• 15 hours of soils-specific academic coursework 
• Three years of hands-on experience under a qualified supervisor or an advanced degree in soil science
• Passage of a written fundamentals exam and a professional practice exam

Amassing Academic Credit Hours

NC State’s soil science courses are offered as an undergraduate soil science certificate program , which provides the curriculum to prepare students to take the NC soil licensing board exam . 

While the program doesn’t require admission to the university as an undergraduate student, the classes are the same rigor and variety as those available to our traditional students. 

While many colleges offer a handful of soil classes, NC State’s Department of Crop and Soil Sciences is one of the few sources for all of the necessary academic classes for NC soil science licensing and NRCS educational requirements. 

“Many colleges offer one or two soil classes. But it can be a hassle to chain them together to meet the requirements, ” said David Crouse, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences’ Director of Undergraduate Programs. “NC State is one of the few places where an individual can get all the credit hours needed to qualify for the soil science fundamentals exam.

NC State’s soil certificate classes are conveniently offered in person in Raleigh, NC and online for prospective soil students anywhere in the country. Most students in the program are working professionals who enroll in one class per semester and complete the certificate in five semesters.

Interested students should check with their employers. Applicants are often surprised to find that some employers will pay tuition expenses.

Once in the workforce, NC State also offers ongoing professional development in many areas of environmental science.

Same Goals, Different Paths

Most soil certificate students are non-traditional. They are usually full-time working professionals looking to expand their skill sets and career opportunities. 

Alex McElwee is working towards being a licensed soil scientist and environmental health specialist in Gaston County, South Carolina.

“I came to NC State to gain the necessary soils credit hours via distance education. But I wasn’t expecting the wide variation of classes offered. I was able to choose from many different options for classes that suited my specific needs. The program is allowing me to learn about soils in a way that I do not encounter in my day to day duties.”

Picture Yourself in Crop and Soil Sciences

If you are looking for an academic path that leads to a career of impact, consider crop and soil sciences. Our students learn from expert professors and experience hands-on adventures every day.  

Learn more about our student degree pathways , including deep dives into our agronomy , soil science and turfgrass programs. Then, join us for a guided email tour of our Crop & Soil Sciences Department.  

• https://cals.ncsu.edu/crop-and-soil-sciences/news/licensed-to-drill-educating-the-professional-soil-scientist/">

Filed Under

Other top news, hortpack competes in the “landscape olympics”.

Over spring break the HortPack, went to Provo, Utah to participate in the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) and take part in a three-day contest of various events that range from construction cost estimating, irrigation troubleshooting, backhoe operation, and plant identification.

2023-24 University Teaching Awards Announced

NC State has honored 40 faculty for their commitment to educational excellence with the 2023-24 University Teaching Awards. Award recipients were recognized at a University Teaching Awards Luncheon and Ceremony on Thursday, April 11 at the Dorothy and Roy Park Alumni Center.

View the Archive

Main navigation

• Academic Advising
• Internships
• Student Funding
• Eclipse Information & Safety
• Employer Internship FAQs (McGill FAES - Undergrad)
• FAES Doing Internship FAQs and Resources (Undergrad)
• Internship FAQs

24 Hours of Science: Activity Booklet 'From Seeds to Trees' (2024 edition)

• Add to calendar
• Tweet Widget

Come discover the secrets of trees!

The Office of Student Academic Services in collaboration with the Sonia Bujold Initiative and Let’s Talk Science, has put together a lovely  free online booklet of self-paced activities on trees .

Trees are the unsung heroes of the plant world. They provide food and shelter to a diverse community of mammals, birds, insects, lichen, and fungi. They absorb carbon dioxide and produce breathable air. They improve soil quality, prevent soil erosion, and reduce noise pollution. They even fight climate change! But the very best thing about trees is how they add beauty to our world.

Learn to identify native tree species of Quebec, discover fun historical facts, do arts and crafts, play games, and much more. There is something for everyone to enjoy!

• For children and adults of all ages.
• The activity booklet is available in both French and English.
• Register now to receive your booklet on Friday May 3!
• For questions or additional information, please contact  ingrid.chiraz [at] mcgill.ca (Ingrid Chiraz) .
• Registrations will be accepted through May 2.

Sign up for our newsletter!

This event is part of  24 Hours of Science , a day-long event filled with science and technology activities for everyone (children, teens, young adults, families, seniors, etc.). Over 400 activities take place throughout Quebec! The event starts on Friday at noon and ends 24 hours later, giving room for evening and late-night activities.

Science, what a story!

This year we are looking at how science organizations relate to you, the public! Transmission, testing, discovery, and participation of novices are an integral part of the scientific community, regardless of the field. We therefore invite all science organizations in Quebec to help you discover the heart of their work by offering you exciting activities to satisfy your curiosity!

The  Sonia Bujold Initiative   is an outreach initiative established in 2021 by Ms. Sonia Bujold, a recent retiree from the McGill Department of Biology, to “reach out” and break the isolation that students, individuals living alone, and families experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Initiative offers engaging and educational activities on the fascinating world of biology through a series of free online self-paced activity booklets for children and adults.  

The  McGill Chapter of Let's Talk Science  is a volunteer-based group of graduate and undergraduate students from a wide range of faculties at McGill University. Our volunteers deliver hands-on classroom presentations, host public STEM events, mentor for and evaluate projects at regional science fairs, and provide STEM outreach to a range of urban and indigenous schools!

• Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
• Macdonald Campus

Department and University Information

Agricultural and environmental sciences.

• Shuttle Bus Schedule
• Mac Mouthpiece (MCSS)
• Student Affairs Office (SAO)
• Career Planning Service (CaPS)
• Minerva (login)
• myMcGill (portal)
• myCourses (login)
• Email (Outlook web)
• Prospective Students
• Undergrad Students
• Graduate Students
• Departments and Schools