What is Soil Science?
Soil science is the study of the earth’s skin. It includes (micro)biology, (bio)chemistry, soil physical and fertility properties, soil formation, and soil classification. Fundamental knowledge of soil science is imperative not only in agriculture, but also in natural resources management, environmental policy, and civil/environmental engineering. Soil is much more than just “dirt.” Soil is the ultimate natural resource for growing plants and crops. It is crucial for raising livestock, building the foundations of homes and recreational facilities such as golf courses and athletic fields. The ever-increasing world population could not possibly be sustained without soils. In any terrestrial environment, soils play five key roles.
First, soil supports the growth of higher plants, mainly by providing a medium for plant roots and supplying nutrient elements. Second, soil properties are the principal factor controlling the fate of water in the hydrologic system (e.g., water loss, utilization, contamination, and purification). Third, soil recycles organic residues (e.g., the waste products and dead bodies of plants and animals) to make them available for re-use by the next generation of life. Fourth, soils provide habitats for a myriad of living fauna and flora, from micron-sized microbes and fungi to macrofauna, such as arthropods and small mammals. Lastly, soil plays an important role as an engineering medium as it provides the foundation for virtually every road, airport, and house built.
Because of the complex biological, chemical, and physical nature of soils, soils play a significant role in ecology, agricultural practices (nutrient management to irrigation), industrial waste management, remediation strategies, restoration of wetlands, natural processes (runoff and erosion), along with urban and industrial land use.
Future Job Opportunities in Soil Science
Soil science graduates can find a range of excellent professional opportunities
as environmental and agricultural consultants, agricultural producers,
environmental policymakers or managers in the public and private sectors,
foresters, horticulturists, land appraisers, hazardous and nonhazardous
waste specialists, licensed fertilizer and pesticide applicators, ecologists,
laboratory technicians and managers, laboratory/field researchers, and
educators. (https://www.soils.org/pdf/sssa_career_brochure.pdf).
For more information, please go to https://www.careerplacement.org/j_tools.html
New Undergraduate Major in Soil Science
The Department of Entomology, Soils, and Plant Sciences offers a new soil science undergraduate major in Soils and Sustainable Crop Systems (Emphasis areas in Soil Science, Soil Management, and Soil and Water Quality) (See the undergraduate course curriculum for more information). Our faculty work to train future soil scientists to develop comprehensive knowledge in microbiology, chemistry, soil fertility, agricultural and industrial management, formation of soils, and physical processes (e.g., solute and gas transport) in soils. Students will learn the analytical and data interpretation skills to identify problems and find the best solution for agronomists, ecologists, horticulturists, environmental and civil engineers, chemists, geologists, and terrestrial biologists. While fundamental and applied knowledge will be learned in core courses in each emphasis, comprehensive general education courses are also included in the curriculum: general biology, general chemistry, physics, public speaking, technical writing, arts and humanities, algebra, calculus and/or statistics, organic chemistry, physical geology, and social sciences.
Learn more about our Bachelor of Science in Soils and Sustainable Crop Systems
For More Information Contact:
Dr. Yuji Arai, Assistant Professor of Environmental Soil Chemistry
270 Poole Agricultural Center
Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634
E-mail: yarai@clemson.edu
Office: 864(656)2607
Dr. Virgil Quisenberry, Professor of Soil Physics
268 Poole Agricultural Center
Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634
E-mail: vqsnbrr@clemson.edu
Office: 864(656)3521
