Soil Science
Overview
Soil is, to say the least, an incredibly valuable natural resource. Don't think so? Try to grow crops without it. No problem, you say, we'll all eat meat. Okay, but where is the food for animals going to come from? The fact is that 75 percent of the planet's food and almost all of its fiber come from soil.Soil Science is the study of the soil as a component of natural and artificial systems. If you major in it, you'll learn about the classification, physical properties, chemistry, and fertility of all kinds of soils. Along the way, you'll develop a working knowledge of ecology, microbiology, chemistry, and physics. You'll have to if you want to understand issues that are central to Soil Science, including water and air quality, landscape design, crop production, and waste management.
Once you graduate, you should find a wealth of career opportunities. Many Soil Science majors take management positions at farms and ranches, at soil and water conservation agencies, and in the area of land-use planning.
Selected Schools
San Luis Obispo, CA
- $12,600 Tuition
- 1320 Avg SAT
- 21,497 Enrolled
Bar Harbor, ME
- $45,630 Tuition
- 1360 Avg SAT
- 360 Enrolled
Ames, IA
- $27,683 Tuition
- 1230 Avg SAT
- 25,332 Enrolled
View All Soil Science Schools
SAMPLE CURRICULUM
Biology
Chemistry
Crop Production
Crop Production in Developing Countries
Geology
Internship
Irrigation
Pesticide Chemistry
Plant Physiology
Seed Science
Soil Chemistry
Soil Classification
Soil Conservation
Soil Management
Soil Microbiology
Statistical Methods
Weed Science
HIGH SCHOOl PREPARATION
You don't need to know anything about Soil Science to major in it, but having an endearing love of biology and the physical sciences will help you immensely. Take all the biology and chemistry courses that your high school offers. Don't slack on math, either. Everything that you can learn about genetics, water, and plants will be helpful. Obviously, you should also learn as much as you can about the properties of different kinds of soil. Get out there. Get your hands dirty. If your high school offers agriculture courses, take a few.
GRADUATE PROGRAMS & CAREERS
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