Soils Science Emphaisis

Goals:

The goal of the soil science emphasis area is to prepare students for careers and graduate programs related to soil science in state and federal governmental agencies, academia, NGOs and the private sector. Students following the soil science emphasis area will receive a broad technical training in the fundamental sciences such as physics, chemistry and biology, as well as more specialized training in soil physics, soil biology, soil chemistry, soil genesis and classification and geomorphology. Students will also gain a working knowledge of the social/policy context of land conservation, so that they can be effective in both acquiring and using scientific knowledge in the conservation field. The soil science emphasis will be especially interesting for students who want to use their technical skills and knowledge to obtain tangible benefits in terms of the conservation and restoration of soil resources.

Potential employment areas for students following the soil science emphasis include: soil and water conservation; watershed management; cropland nutrient management; wetland soils delineation; mined land restoration; wetland and riparian area restoration; geotechnical engineering, and soils mapping. Potential federal employers include the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Within Montana, the Department of Natural Resources Conservation (DNRC) employs soil scientists. Students completing the soil science emphasis would be well prepared for graduate programs in soil microbiology, soil biogeochemistry; soil physics, soil morphology, geology, restoration ecology and forestry.