福利逼站

福利逼站 Catalog 2024-2025

EXPLORE PROGRAMS

Soil Science

This is an archived copy of the 2024-2025 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit .

Soil scientists study and manage land and water resources to protect the environment and enhance agricultural productivity. Graduate education opportunities in Soil Science at NC State prepare students for careers with public and private organizations in soil, agricultural, environmental, and natural resource sciences. Our graduates find employment opportunities with private sector firms, government organizations, academia, and entrepreneurship.

You will have the opportunity to study and do research with world-class faculty in outstanding laboratory and field facilities.听 Graduate students may specialize in the following sub-disciplines: soil physics; soil chemistry; soil microbiology and biochemistry; soil fertility and plant nutrition; soil genesis, morphology and classification; and soil, water and land management and conservation. Students can also incorporate other disciplines into their work, presenting outstanding opportunities to focus on issues of interest.听

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences offers three graduate degrees in Soil Science. A short description of each follows.听

The Master of Soil Science (MR) is a non-thesis, course-based program that is available as both a campus-based and an听. This degree is considered a terminal degree and is well suited to professionals requiring further education in soils for their careers.听

The Master of Science in Soil Science (MS) is a research degree that requires the successful completion of coursework, a research problem, and the submission of a written thesis that documents the research.听

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree symbolizes the ability of the student to undertake original research with minimal supervision and demonstrates the student鈥檚 ability to write a dissertation reporting the results of this research. Most students in the Soil Science Ph.D. complete an MS degree prior to enrolling in the Ph.D., although exceptions are sometimes made.

All MS and PhD students are required to teach as part of the degree program. Master of Science students teach the equivalent of one section of SSC 201 Soil Science Laboratory, while PhD students teach the equivalent of two sections.听听

More Information

听

Admission Requirements

A number of factors are considered when evaluating applications to Soil Science graduate degree programs.听 A minimum of a 3.0 GPA at the baccalaureate (BS) or master鈥檚 (MS) level is required. However, exceptions may be made for master鈥檚 applicants with a very strong GPA in science classes, an exceptional track record in their final two years, or substantial post-baccalaureate work experience. Soil science is a rigorous STEM discipline and students accepted will typically have a BS or MS degree in soil science, or closely related fields, with strong preparation in the biological and physical sciences. Research experience is helpful for the MS program and essential for students joining the PhD program. We do not require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for application or admission to Soil Science graduate programs. International students must demonstrate proficiency in English prior to admission using the TOEFL, IELTS, or DuoLingo assessments.听 Admissions are competitive and subject to adequate funding for research assistantships. A committee of faculty members evaluates each application and admission is offered if funding is available to support a student.听 听Applicants for the MR are admitted without regard to funding; the department does not provide stipends or financial support for students in the MR program.

Applicant Information

Soil Science (MS and PhD)

  • Delivery Method:听On-Campus
  • Entrance Exam:听None
  • Interview Required:听None

Soil Science (MR)

  • Delivery Method:听On-Campus, Online, Hybrid
  • Entrance Exam: None
  • Interview Required:听None

Application Deadlines

  • Fall:听Jan 15 (aid); Mar 1 (Int, Adm only), Jun 25 (US, Adm only)
  • Spring:听Sep 1 (aid); Sep 30 (Int., Adm only), Nov 25 (US, Adm only)
  • Summer 1:听Mar 25 (US); Dec 15 (Int)
  • Summer 2:听May 10 (US); Dec 15 (Int)

Degrees

Faculty

Professors


  • Area of Research: Environmental Soil Physics

  • Area of Research: Soil Science Education

  • Area of Research: Soil Biogeochemistry

  • Area of Research: Soil Ecology and Management

  • Area of Research: Soil Fertility

  • Area of Research: Soil Physics & Hydrology

  • Area of Research: Soil Biology & Soil Science Education

  • Area of Research: Soil Fertility & Watershed Management

  • Area of Research: Soil Microbiology & Ecology

  • Area of Research: Wetland Soils & Pedology

Associate Professors


  • Area of Research: Soil Fertility & Nutrient Management

  • Area of Research: Soil Microbiology

Assistant Professors


  • Area of Research: Plant-Microbe Interactions & Nutrient Transport

  • Area of Research: Soil Science

  • Area of Research: Nutrient Management and Animal Waste

  • Area of Research: Environmental Soil Chemistry

  • Area of Research: Soil Management

  • Area of Research: Pedology

  • Area of Research: Sustainable Agricultural Systems

Practice/Research/Teaching Professor

  • Robert E. Austin
    Area of Research: Geospatial Information and Analytics in Soils, Agriculture and Environmental Science

Courses

SSC听511听听Soil Physics听听(4 credit hours)听听

Soil physical properties and theory of selected instrumentation to measure them. Topics including soil solids, soil water, air and heat. Emphasis on transport processes and the energy concept of soil and water.

Prerequisite: SSC听200, PY听212

Typically offered in Fall only

SSC听521听听Soil Chemistry听听(3 credit hours)听听

A consideration of the chemical and colloidal properties of clay and soil systems, including ion exchange and retention, soil solution reactions, solvation of clays and electrokinetic properties of clay-water systems.

Prerequisite: SSC听200, one yr. of general inorganic chemistry

Typically offered in Spring only

SSC听527/SSC听427听听Biological Approaches to Sustainable Soil Systems听听(3 credit hours)听听

Ecological and biochemical concepts will be applied to managing soils in agro-ecological settings such as organic and conventionally managed farms and gardens, emphasizing microbial transformations of nutrients and matter. Topics covered include soil organic matter formation and fractionation, decomposition, microbial assimilation of nutrients, fertilizer management, tillage, crop rotations, cover crop management. Companion course SSC听428 and SSC听341 recommended.

Prerequisite: SSC听200 or equivalent, BIO听181 or 183, and CH听101

Typically offered in Fall only

SSC听532/MB听532听听Soil Microbiology听听(3 credit hours)听听

Soil as a medium for microbial growth, the relation of microbes to important mineral transformations in soil, the importance of biological equilibrium and significance of soil microbes to environmental quality.

Prerequisite: MB 351, CH听220

Typically offered in Spring only

SSC听535/CS听535听听Root and Rhizosphere Processes for Plant Nutrition听听(3 credit hours)听听

The focus of this course is on the understanding of concepts and principles of plant hydro-mineral acquisition, plant adaptation to nutrient deficiencies, water and nutrient cycles in the soil, and the impact that microbial communities have on these processes. Understanding below ground biological networks and their complexity is crucial for understanding soil fertility and improving the acquisition of nutrients in natural and agroecosystems.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing or Instructor permission

Typically offered in Fall only

SSC听540/SSC听440听听Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Soil Science and Agriculture听听(3 credit hours)听听

Geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning system (GPS), and remote sensing to manage spatially variable soils, vegetation, other natural resources. Develop: function understanding of GIS principles, working knowledge of ArcGIS, problem-solving/critical-thinking necessary to use GIS to characterize and manage soils, agriculture, natural resources. Introduction to GIS; Maps/Cartography; Vectore/Raster Data Models; Georeferencing/Coordinate Systems; Spatial Data Sources; GPS/GPS skillls/ Remote Sensing; Statistics/Interpolation; Precision Agriculture; Computer Aided Design and GIS; Creating Analyzing 3-D Surfaces. Credit not given for both SSC听440 and SSC听540.

Prerequisite: SSC听200

Typically offered in Fall only

SSC听541听听Soil Fertility听听(3 credit hours)听听

Soil conditions affecting plant growth and the chemistry of soil and fertilizer interrelationships. Factors affecting the availability of nutrients. Methods of measuring nutrient availability.

Prerequisite: SSC听341

SSC听551听听Soil Morphology, Genesis and Classification听听(3 credit hours)听听

Morphology: Chemical, physical and mineralogical parameters useful in characterizing soil. Genesis: soil-forming factors and processes. Classification: historical development and present concepts of soil taxonomy with particular reference to worldwide distribution of great soil groups as well as discussions of logical bases of soil classification.

Prerequisite: SSC听200

SSC听562听听Environmental Applications Of Soil Science听听(3 credit hours)听听

Identification and evaluation of basic factors influencing movement of potential pollutants through soil and their underlying strata. Development of understanding of processes of soil and site evaluation for waste disposal and transport of pollutants through soils.

Prerequisite: SSC听200

Typically offered in Spring only

SSC听570/SSC听470听听Wetland Soils听听(3 credit hours)听听

Wetland definitions, concepts, functions and regulations; chemical, physical and morphological characteristics of wetland soils. Wetland soil identification using field indicators and monitoring equipment; principles of wetland creation, restoration and mitigation. Special project required for SSC听570. Two mandatory field trips. Field trips for distance education students are not required but optional. Credit will not be given for both SSC听470 and SSC听570.

Prerequisite: SSC听200, SSC听452 recommended

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SSC听573/SSC听473/BAE听473/BAE听573听听Introduction to Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling听听(3 credit hours)听听

Concepts in basic hydrologic, erosion and chemical transport used in modeling. Evaluation of typical hydrologic and water quality models on watershed systems. Project examples using state-of-the-art models. Credit will not be given for both BAE听473 and BAE听573.

Prerequisite: BAE听371

Typically offered in Fall only

SSC听590听听Special Problems in Soil Science听听(1-6 credit hours)听听

Special problems in various phases of soils. Emphasis placed on review of recent and current research. Credits arranged in consultation with sponsoring faculty member.

Prerequisite: Master's or PhD Student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SSC听592听听Special Topics in Soil Science听听(1-6 credit hours)听听

Special Topics in Soil Science. Topics of contemporary interest in soil science presented in an experimental or pilot course format.

P: Graduate Standing

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SSC听601听听Seminar听听(1 credit hours)听听

A maximum of two semester hours allowed toward the master's degree, but any number toward the doctorate. Scientific articles, progress reports in research and special problems of interest to soil scientists reviewed and discussed.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing in SSC

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SSC听609听听Colloquium In Soil Science听听(1-3 credit hours)听听

Seminar-type discussions and lectures on specialized and advanced topics in soil science. Credits Arranged

Prerequisite: Graduate standing in SSC

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SSC听620听听Special Problems听听(1-6 credit hours)听听

Special problems in various phases of soils. Emphasis placed on review of recent and current research. Credits Arranged

Prerequisite: SSC听200

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SSC听675听听Project in Soil Science听听(1-6 credit hours)听听

Credit for required, independent project in soil science for the Master of Soil Science degree program. Project topic and learning contract will be developed with, and approved by, the student's faculty advisor and the Director of Graduate Programs. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours towards the Master of Soil Science degree. May not be taken by Master of Science or PhD students.

R: Master of Soil Science (MR) students only

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SSC听685听听Master's Supervised Teaching听听(1-3 credit hours)听听

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment. No more than 1 credit per course section taught.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SSC听688听听Non-Thesis Masters Continuous Registration - Half Time Registration听听(1 credit hours)听听

For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain half-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Summer only

SSC听689听听Non-Thesis Master Continuous Registration - Full Time Registration听听(3 credit hours)听听

For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain full-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc. Students may register for this course a maximum of one semester.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Summer only

SSC听690听听Master's Exam听听(1-9 credit hours)听听

For students in non thesis master's programs who have completed all other requirements of the degree except preparing for and taking the final master's exam. Credits Arranged

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Spring and Summer

SSC听693听听Master's Supervised Research听听(1-9 credit hours)听听

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SSC听695听听Master's Thesis Research听听(1-9 credit hours)听听

Thesis Research

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SSC听696听听Summer Thesis Research听听(1 credit hours)听听

For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Summer only

SSC听699听听Master's Thesis Preparation听听(1-9 credit hours)听听

For students who have completed all credit hour requirements and full-time enrollment for the master's degree and are writing and defending their thesis. Credits arranged

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SSC听720听听Soil and Plant Analysis听听(3 credit hours)听听

Theory and advanced principles of utilization of chemical instruments to aid research on the heterogeneous systems of soils and plants.

Prerequisite: PY听212; CH听315; at least three soils courses including SSC听341

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate years

SSC听725/TOX听725/CS听725/HS听725听听Pesticide Chemistry听听(1 credit hours)听听

Chemical properties of pesticides including hydration and solvation, ionization, volatilization, lipophilicity, molecular structure and size, and reactivity and classification according to chemical description, mode of action or ionizability. Taughtduring the first 5 weeks of semester. Drop date is last day of 3rd week of the minicourse.

Prerequisite: (CH听201 or CH听203) and (CH听221 or CH听225)

Typically offered in Spring only

SSC听727/TOX听727/CS听727/HS听727听听Pesticide Behavior and Fate In the Environment听听(2 credit hours)听听

Sorption/desorption, soil reactivity, movement, volatilization, bioavailability, degradation and stability of pesticides in the environment. Taught during the last 10 weeks of semester. Drop date is last day of 3rd week of the minicourse.

Prerequisite: CS(HS,SSC,TOX) 725,SSC听200

Typically offered in Spring only

SSC听790听听Special Topics听听(1-6 credit hours)听听

The study of special problems and selected topics of current interest in soil science and related fields.

Typically offered in Fall only

SSC听801听听Seminar听听(1 credit hours)听听

Weekly seminars on topics of current interest given by resident faculty members, graduate students and visiting lecturers.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SSC听809听听Colloquium In Soil Science听听(1-3 credit hours)听听

Seminar-type discussions and lectures on specialized and advanced topics in soil science. Credits Arranged

Prerequisite: Graduate standing in SSC

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SSC听820听听Special Problems听听(1-6 credit hours)听听

Special problems in various phases of soils. Emphasis placed on review of recent and current research. Credits Arranged

Prerequisite: Graduate standing in Soil Science

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SSC听885听听Doctoral Supervised Teaching听听(1-3 credit hours)听听

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment. No more than 1 credit per course section taught.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SSC听890听听Doctoral Preliminary Examination听听(1-9 credit hours)听听

For students who are preparing for and taking written and/or oral preliminary exams.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Spring and Summer

SSC听893听听Doctoral Supervised Research听听(1-9 credit hours)听听

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graudate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SSC听895听听Doctoral Dissertation Research听听(1-9 credit hours)听听

Dissertation research.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SSC听896听听Summer Dissertation Research听听(1 credit hours)听听

For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Summer only

SSC听899听听Doctoral Dissertation Preparation听听(1-9 credit hours)听听

For students who have completed all credit hour, full-time enrollment, preliminary examination and residency requirements for the doctoral degree and are writing and defending their dissertations.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer