Graduate Specialization in Soil Science

Soil is the thin outermost layer of Earth's crust. Like our own skin, we can't live without soil. Why?
~ Most of our food comes directly or indirectly from plants anchored in, and nourished by, soil.
~ Part of the oxygen we breathe is produced by plants living in soil.
~ Much of the water we drink and use every day soaked into, and was filtered by, soil.
~ And nearly everything we build is built on soil, and often with it.
Like our skin, it is easy to take soil for granted-and to damage it.
                                                                        ~Soil Science Society of America (https://www.soils.org/about-soils)

Soil is a fundamental resource for ecosystems functioning and environmental health. It is a living filter that provides vital ecosystem services – including carbon sequestration, recycling of nutrients, and assimilation of waste products. Soil is a key component of natural agricultural and wildland ecosystems that sustains all global processes.

Soil science is highly interdisciplinary; soil scientists apply biology and microbial ecology, chemistry, earth sciences, ecology, hydrology, mineralogy, mathematics, nutrition, toxicology, and physics to understand, sustain, and improve the environment. A diverse range of research tools are used, such as geospatial analysis, computer modeling, microscopy, spectroscopy, bioassays, molecular biology, and other advanced field and lab technology for soil investigation.

Graduate students actively participate and present their research at national and international scientific conferences. Upon graduation, students are prepared for professional certification by the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA). Professional soil scientists work in private industry, academia, and federal, state and local agencies in research, consulting, education, and outreach. Soil scientists provide expertise in food production and safety, environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, ecological restoration, beneficial recycling of byproducts, and land use planning.

We are Unique

• Interdisciplinary Research. As a specialization within a multidisciplinary program, there is great potential for collaboration and exposure to coursework, professional development, and research across a broad range of basic and applied sciences. Ohio State is a large research university with diverse opportunities to enhance professional experience and to satisfy intellectual curiosity. Graduate Minors available include Statistics & Statistical Data Analysis; Graduate Interdisciplinary Specializations include Geospatial Data and Analysis and College and University Teaching.
• International Travel. Study abroad is encouraged; recent activities include programs in Iceland and Puerto Rico. Faculty and students actively engage in collaborative research and communication with scientists in other countries.
• Resources. The soil science graduate faculty are located at The Ohio State University in Columbus, and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) in Wooster. Both campuses support well-equipped laboratories, greenhouses, growth chambers, libraries, and computer centers. Field research areas are located in Columbus, Wooster, and eight branch stations throughout Ohio.

Examples of Current Projects and Funding

• “Regulation of the Hydrologic and C Cycles by Native Shrubs in Soils of Sub-Sahelian Africa,” funded by the National Science Foundation, Geoscience/Biocomplexity Program, Washington D.C.
• “Upper Sugar Creek Watershed, Ohio: A Model Watershed For Study Of Pathogen Origin, Fate And Transport” funded by USDA-CSREES
• “Use Of Flue Gas Desulfurization Products In Agriculture” funded by USEPA, Department of Energy, and Industry Partners
• "Removal Of The Greenhouse Gas, Methane, Due To Increased Oxidation In No-Tillage Agricultural Fields” funded by Climate, Water and Carbon Program at Ohio State University
• “Soil Bioavailability-Based Remediation” funded by National Science Foundation, Environmental Molecular Science Institute
• “Contaminated Soil and Human and Ecological Risk” funded by Strategic Environment Research and Development Program

Career Placement
Soil science graduates from Ohio State continue to influence research and to foster international achievements at over 20 public and private universities, state and federal agencies, and laboratories in the United States and other nations.

Universities

• Ball State University
• Iowa State University
• King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
• Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota
• Michigan State University
• Nankai University, China
• Pennsylvania State University
• South Korean Naval Academy
• The Ohio State University
• University of Idaho
• University of Makarere, Uganda
• University of Mazatlan, Mexico
• University of Tennessee
• Wittenberg University

Agencies & Programs

• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia
• EMBRAPA - Cerado Center in Brazil
• Environmental Concerns Action Network of the Solomon Islands
• Environmental Protection Institute, Brazil
• Franklin County Board of Health
• GIS Ohio Department of Natural Resources
• United States Department of Agriculture Research Service
• United States Department of Agriculture NRCS
• Environmental Protection Agency (federal and state)

Industry

• Hull & Associates (Environmental Engineers)
• Bennett & Williams Environmental Consultant

Soil Science at Ohio State is also offered as a Graduate Minor, available to all graduate students enrolled in a degree-seeking program at Ohio State. Click here to view brochure.

Soil Science Faculty Members

Soil Science Courses

*  required core course for Master's and PhD programs of study
** required core course for PhD programs of study

Theses and Dissertations produced by graduate students advised by Soil Science graduate faculty since 2003

Click on the name to view the document on OhioLink.

Ph.D. Dissertations

Master's Theses

* Environmental Science graduate student advised by ENR faculty.

Updated 2011-December
Amy Schmidt, enrgrad@osu.edu

Graduate research in soil science has existed at Ohio State since 1905. The first M.S. degree was awarded in 1910 and the first Ph.D. in 1922. Throughout much of its history, graduate education in soil science was conducted through the Agronomy Graduate Program (soil science + crop science). In 1995, the Agronomy Graduate Program was re-titled and focused entirely on soil science. In 2008, the Soil Science Graduate Program merged with the Environment and Natural Resources Graduate Program and became a specialization within ENRGP. Because of its long history and outstanding graduates, the program has had a major influence on research in the discipline and has gained an international reputation for excellence and achievement. Approximately 25 graduates are currently members of the professoriate at 20 public and private institutions in the United States. Twelve other graduates serve similar roles at international universities. Many others are employed by state and federal agencies and by national laboratories in this and other countries.

Historically, the soil science discipline emerged from mainstream agriculture where it still plays a major role in addressing issues of international food security and human health. In the 1980’s, the importance of soil science to numerous environmental issues (acid rain, climate change, brown-fields, wetlands, biodiversity, water quality, waste management, etc.) became apparent, and scientists with this disciplinary expertise were increasingly asked to address research questions outside the scope of traditional agriculture. Soil science continues to play a pivotal role in natural resource, environmental, and agricultural issues at both national and international scales.

Soil Science is a well-recognized academic discipline that is served by an international union of national organizations. The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is a progressive scientific society that fosters the transfer of knowledge and practices to sustain the global soil resource. Founded in 1936, the SSSA is professional home for 6,000+ members dedicated to advancing the field of soil science. It supports research, education and outreach about soils in relation to crop production, environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, bioremediation, waste management, and wise land use.