Soil Science Degrees

Detailed profiles of schools for Soil Science from the EdRef college search portal.

Soil Science programs give students the knowledge they need to supply vital advice and services to agricultural, mining, and land management industries. Soil scientists face a variety of challenges in the fields of soil chemistry, plant nutrition, soil physics, hydrology, land management, and soil biology. They also study such specialties as soil classification, soil fertility, and climatology. They learn how to apply these disciplines to a variety of agricultural and environmental issues. Students become competent in soil science as well as in the atmospheric sciences.

Much of the emphasis in many Soil Science programs is on improvement of soil suitability for different crops. Soil preservation is typically a large component as well, with many programs focusing on ecologically sound principles. Because soil is the main medium for growing food plants, soil science is necessary to encourage ecologically progressive use of this natural resource. Most programs combine classroom work with a variety of field experiences, including internships in soil laboratories.