The Graduate Minor in Soil Science is for graduate students who plan to pursue an interdisciplinary program to solve research problems either in the soil directly or in processes involving soil. The soil science minor also benefits graduate students who will be teaching or otherwise engaged with soil science information.
Courses are offered in the chemical, biological, physical, and mineralogical properties of soil and in management of soils at local, international, and global scales. The Graduate Minor in Soil Science is designed to be flexible, to foster creativity, and to enhance graduate student research.
Students who complete the Graduate Minor in Soil Science will have this achievement recognized on their university transcript.
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Eligibility
To apply for the Graduate Minor in Soil Science, a student must be in good academic standing.
Related areas of study
Knowledge of soils is important in a broad array of studies related to environmental science, such as:
- agriculture
- archaeology
- chemistry
- city and regional planning
- civil, environmental, and geodetic engineering
- ecology
- geology
- horticultural and crop science
- human and ecological toxicology and health
- microbiology
- plant pathology
- rangeland management
- resource management
Those involved in studies related to air and water quality, government policies, and international exchanges also benefit from studies of soil systems.
Curriculum
Students must complete twelve credits of graduate-level soils courses across at least four courses from the list below to complete the Graduate Minor in Soil Science. The recommended curriculum to get an overview of the discipline of soil science is:
- ENR 5260 Soil Landscapes: Morphology, Genesis and Classification (3)
- ENR 5261 Environmental Soil Physics (3)
- ENR 5262 Soil Chemical Processes and Environmental Quality (3)
- ENR 5263 Biology of Soil Ecosystems (3)
Students are encouraged to take the courses most closely related to their interests and are strongly recommended to work with their major degree advisor to determine how best to incorporate the soil science courses into their educational objectives. General course information and sample syllabi are available here.
Students must receive a letter grade of B or better in each course.
Soil Science Courses Offered for Graduate Credit
- ENR 5260 Soil Landscapes: Morphology, Genesis and Classification (3)
- ENR 5261 Environmental Soil Physics (3)
- ENR 5262 Soil Chemical Processes and Environmental Quality (3)
- ENR 5263 Biology of Soil Ecosystems (3)
- ENR 5265 Field Investigations: Microbial Ecology Methods for Environmental and Agricultural Applications (2)
- ENR 5268 Soils and Climate Change (3)
- ENR 5270 Soil Fertility (3)
- ENR 5271 Soils of Forest Ecosystems (3)
- ENR 5272 Turfgrass Soils (2)
- ENR 5273 Environmental Fate and Impact of Contaminants in Soil & Water (3)
- ENR 5279 Urban Soil and Ecosystem Services: Assessment and Restoration (3)
- ENR 7530 Soils and Carbon: Stabilization and Permanence (3)
- ENR 8890.04 Soil Science Seminar (varies)
Application Process
Meet with an advisor:
- Students are strongly encouraged to contact the School of Environment and Natural Resources graduate program office before beginning coursework to ensure appropriate course selection.
- Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their academic goals for the minor with their academic advisor in their home program.
Submit a Minors and Interdisciplinary Specialization form:
- Visit gradforms.osu.edu to access the form.
- The Graduation Level/Plan/Degree will correspond to the student’s home department.
- Select SOILSCI-GM – Soil Science Minor for the “Designation Name.”
- Include all coursework that fulfills the graduate minor requirements.
Requirements for Completion
Complete 12 hours of graduate-level coursework
- Minimum of four courses offered by the School of Environment and Natural Resources from the recommended track or other soil science electives listed above
- Students must receive a grade of B or higher in all minor coursework or an S for S/U grading
Submit a Transcript Designation request:
- Visit gradforms.osu.edu to complete the Transcript Designation request after all minor coursework has been completed.