Soil Science Option
This option is available within the Crop and Soil Science major at the following locations:
- Corvallis
- Ecampus
Graduates of the Soil Science option are well prepared for a variety of careers in natural resources and agriculture. Many soil scientists work as wetland consultants, soil and water quality specialists, crop production advisors, conservation planners, or research scientists. Some of our Graduates work for federal, state, or local government agencies as extension educators, researchers, county agricultural agents, or surveyors, while others hold teaching or research positions in colleges and universities. Soil scientists also work for fertilizer companies, private research laboratories, environmental service organizations, insurance companies, and land appraisal firms.
Option Code: 160
Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:
- Determine appropriate soil and crop management practices based on fundamental environment-plant interactions and specific cropping system information.
- Find, synthesize and interpret scientific information.
- Communicate scientific findings in writing and in oral/visual presentations.
- Apply the scientific method to solve problems.
- Demonstrate proficiency of technical skills required for crop and soil science related careers.
- Attain professional skills required for careers in crop or soil science, including appropriate communication and leadership.
Option courses must be distinct from the major and cannot be counted for credit in both the option and major. Courses can only count once towards option requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core | ||
| SOIL 466 | SOIL MORPHOLOGY AND CLASSIFICATION | 4 |
| Select one course from the following: | 4 | |
| +*ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES | ||
| +*PLANET EARTH | ||
| +*PHYSICAL GEOLOGY | ||
| +*EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE | ||
| +*EVOLUTION OF PLANET EARTH | ||
| Option Tracks | ||
| Select one of the following tracks: 1 | 20-24 | |
Soils Research Track (32 total credits) | ||
General Soils Track (28-32 total credits) | ||
| Total Credits | 28-32 | |
Soils Research Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Track Core | ||
| MTH 251Z | +*DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS | 4 |
| PH 201 & PH 202 | +*GENERAL PHYSICS and *GENERAL PHYSICS | 10 |
| SOIL 435 | ENVIRONMENTAL SOIL PHYSICS | 3 |
| SOIL 445 | ENVIRONMENTAL SOIL CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| SOIL 455 | BIOLOGY OF SOIL ECOSYSTEMS | 4 |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
General Soils Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Track Core | ||
| Select two courses from the following: | 6-8 | |
| ECOSYSTEMS OF WILDLAND SOILS | ||
| SOIL SYSTEMS AND PLANT GROWTH | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL SOIL PHYSICS | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL SOIL CHEMISTRY | ||
| BIOLOGY OF SOIL ECOSYSTEMS | ||
| Soil Science Electives | ||
| Select 7-8 credits from the following courses: | 7-8 | |
| PLANT PATHOLOGY | ||
| PRECISION AGRICULTURE | ||
| CASE STUDIES IN CROPPING SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO INSECT PEST MANAGEMENT | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO BIOGEOCHEMISTRY | ||
| SOIL MANAGEMENT FOR ORGANIC PRODUCTION | ||
| ECOSYSTEMS OF WILDLAND SOILS | ||
| SOIL SYSTEMS AND PLANT GROWTH | ||
| ^WORLD SOIL RESOURCES | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL SOIL PHYSICS | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL SOIL CHEMISTRY | ||
| BIOLOGY OF SOIL ECOSYSTEMS | ||
| Track Electives | ||
| Select 7-8 credits of the following courses: | 7-8 | |
| +*INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY | ||
| +*INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD ECONOMICS | ||
| *NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMICS AND POLICY | ||
| AGRICULTURAL LAW | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIC FOOD PRODUCTION | ||
| +*CLIMATE SCIENCE | ||
| +*SNOW, SMOKE, AND STORMS: CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST | ||
| ELEMENTARY BIOCHEMISTRY | ||
| FUNDAMENTALS OF ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING | ||
| IRRIGATION PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES | ||
| ECOLOGY | ||
| *HUMAN IMPACTS ON ECOSYSTEMS | ||
| PLANT STRUCTURE | ||
| PLANT ECOLOGY | ||
| PLANT PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY OF PLANTS | ||
| HYDROLOGY | ||
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | ||
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | ||
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY | ||
| CROP PRODUCTION IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST AGROECOSYSTEMS | ||
| FORAGE PRODUCTION | ||
| *WORLD FOOD CROPS | ||
| ORGANIC CERTIFICATION | ||
| PRECISION AGRICULTURE | ||
| SEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | ||
| WEED MANAGEMENT | ||
| CASE STUDIES IN CROPPING SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT | ||
| +*ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO INSECT PEST MANAGEMENT | ||
| INSECT AGROECOLOGY | ||
| WATERSHED PROCESSES | ||
| FOREST WATERSHED MANAGEMENT | ||
| +*FOREST BIOLOGY | ||
| *ISSUES IN NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION | ||
| FOREST ECOLOGY | ||
| *GENES AND CHEMICALS IN AGRICULTURE: VALUE AND RISK | ||
| ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION | ||
| *AGROFORESTRY | ||
| INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT | ||
| +*PLANET EARTH | ||
| +*PHYSICAL GEOLOGY | ||
| +*EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE | ||
| +*EVOLUTION OF PLANET EARTH | ||
| *GLOBAL CHANGE AND EARTH SCIENCES | ||
| SURFACE PROCESSES | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY | ||
| APPLIED GEOMORPHOLOGY | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO BIOGEOCHEMISTRY | ||
| HYDROGEOLOGY | ||
| +*FOUNDATIONS OF GEOSPATIAL SCIENCE AND GIS | ||
| +SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE COMMON GOOD | ||
| *INTRODUCTION TO WATER SCIENCE AND POLICY | ||
| GISCIENCE I: GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND THEORY | ||
| QUANTITATIVE GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS AND MODELING | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS | ||
| ORGANIC FARMING AND GARDENING | ||
| INPUTS IN ORGANIC CROPPING SYSTEMS: SOURCING AND EFFICACY | ||
| PLANT NUTRITION | ||
| DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT OF ORGANIC CROPPING SYSTEMS | ||
| +*DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS | ||
| INTEGRAL CALCULUS | ||
| +*INTRODUCTORY MICROBIOLOGY | ||
| GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY | ||
| GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY | ||
| MICROBE-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS | ||
| +*GENERAL PHYSICS | ||
| *GENERAL PHYSICS | ||
| PRINCIPLES OF RANGELAND ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT | ||
| ECOLOGY OF GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEMS | ||
| RIPARIAN ECOHYDROLOGY AND MANAGEMENT | ||
| ECOSYSTEMS OF WILDLAND SOILS | ||
| SOIL SYSTEMS AND PLANT GROWTH | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL SOIL PHYSICS | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL SOIL CHEMISTRY | ||
| BIOLOGY OF SOIL ECOSYSTEMS | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS | ||
| METHODS OF DATA ANALYSIS | ||
| CHEMICAL BEHAVIOR IN THE ENVIRONMENT | ||
| +*TECHNICAL WRITING | ||
| *BIODIVERSITY: CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES, AND CONSERVATION | ||
| BIOLOGY OF INSECTS | ||
| Total Credits | 20-24 | |
- *
Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025
- +
Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond
- ^
Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course
- 1
Students in the Soils Research Track will complete 32 total credits and students in the General Soils Track will complete 28-32 total credits in the option, inclusive of Required, Track and Elective courses
Option Code: 160