Oct 09, 2024  
2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental and Soil Sciences Major, BS in Environmental and Soil Sciences – Soil Science Concentration


Advisors
Eash and Logan

Many human activities adversely impact soil, water, and environmental quality, and there is a constant need for experts in the technologies required to collect sound information and to provide food, fiber, and shelter in an environmentally-sound manner. The Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Soil Sciences provides students with a strong grounding in basic sciences or engineering technology to prepare them for a broad range of possible careers. Students in this program choose between two general thrusts: Science and Engineering Technology.

The science thrust provides options for three concentrations, Soil Science, Environmental Science, and Conservation Agriculture and Environmental Sustainability. All provide a very strong basis in the natural sciences, as well as applied areas such as ecology, soil sciences, and natural resource policy. Students also build expertise with modern technologies such as geographical information systems, global positioning systems, and computer applications in natural resource management. Graduates are prepared to work in a wide variety of interesting and challenging career paths and to work with a broad variety of other professionals to solve complex problems. Examples of potential careers include soil and environmental specialists and scientists; state and federal regulatory agency work; private consulting in environmental and agricultural areas; and working with non-governmental organizations with interests in agriculture, environment, and natural resources. Students receiving this degree are also very competitive for placement in graduate programs in environmental and agricultural sciences and technology, as well as law school.

The engineering technology thrust has four concentration options: Agricultural Systems Technology, Construction Science Technology, Land Surveying, and Off-Road Vehicle Technology. These engineering technology concentrations are applied programs highly focused on specific technical areas, and are designed to provide the skills required to manage the sophisticated technological systems increasingly essential in today’s world. The four concentrations all provide a strong basic science foundation, and add coursework designed to create programs of study emphasizing the application of technology in today’s world. Coursework in economics and the management of a small business are also included, along with oral and written communication. The construction technology concentration leads to a Minor in Business Administration. While these programs provide a rigorous background in math and science and include courses in engineering, they differ from programs offered in the College of Engineering and College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (Biosystems Engineering) leading to B.S. in Engineering, and ultimately to registration as a Professional Engineer. The engineering technology concentrations are less theoretical, more applied, and more focused towards specific industries.

This concentration is a rigorous, science-based program for students interested in the field of soil science. The curriculum emphasizes soils and their long-term use and productivity, as well as surface and sub-surface water resources. Students will understand natural resource problems and their management, including soil and water conservation issues, land use problems, waste disposal, and reclamation of disturbed lands. Other areas of interest can be addressed through the appropriate selection of technical electives in the program. Students in this program will gain the practical knowledge necessary to compete for career opportunities in government, environmental consulting firms, public health services, environmental research laboratories, and agricultural production, while also gaining the theoretical training necessary for continuing on for advanced degrees in a number of environmentally related fields. An undergraduate degree in this field is the first step towards certification as a Professional Soil Scientist.

uTrack Requirements (for first-year students)

Universal Tracking (uTrack) is an academic monitoring system designed to help students stay on track for timely graduation. In order to remain on track, students must complete the minimum requirements for each tracking semester known as milestones. Milestones may include successful completion of specified courses and/or attainment of a minimum GPA. uTrack requirements only affect first-time, first-year, full-time, degree-seeking students entering Fall 2013.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Soil Sciences • Environmental and Soil Sciences Major • Soil Science Concentration


Term 1 Hours Milestone Notes
1Arts and Humanities Elective * 3 2.0 cumulative GPA
BIOL 111 * or BIOL 130 * or BIOL 138 * 4  
ENGL 101 * or ENGL 118 * 3  
ESS 120 * 3  
MATH 151 * 3  
Term 2
CHEM 120 * or CHEM 128 * 4 ESS 120 *
ENGL 102 * 3  
GEOL 101 * or GEOL 107 * 4  
MATH 152 * 3  
Term 3
AGNR 291 , AGNR 292  2 ENGL 101 *
BIOL 112 * or BIOL 140 * or BIOL 148 * 4  
CHEM 130 * or CHEM 138 * 4  
ESS 210  4  
Term 4
AREC 201 * or ECON 201 * or ECON 207 * 4 CHEM 120 *
1Arts and Humanities Elective * 3  
CHEM 110 * or CHEM 350  3-4  
PHYS 221 * 4  
Term 5
1Cultures and Civilizations Elective * 3 ESS 210 
ESS 334  3  
PHIL 346 * 3  
1Social Sciences Elective * 3  
STAT 201 * or STAT 207 * 3  
Term 6
BSET 326  or BSET 412  3 No milestones
CHEM 310 , CHEM 319  4  
ESS 424 , ESS 454  6  
PLSC 250 * 3  
Term 7
AREC 470  or ECON 362  3 Apply to graduate
ESS 434 , ESS 442 , ESS 462  9  
2Technical Elective 3  
Term 8
ESS 301 *, ESS 444  4 No milestones
2Technical Electives 9  
3Unrestricted Electives 2-3  
     
TOTAL 120  

* Meets University General Education Requirement .
1 Chosen from the University General Education list .
2 Note that some electives have required prerequisites. See individual course descriptions in the catalog for specific information. ANSC 220 , ANSC 280 *, ANSC 320 , ANSC 330 , ANSC 380 ; BCMB 311 , BCMB 321 , BCMB 401 , BCMB 402 , BCMB 471 , BCMB 481 ; BIOL 240 , BIOL 250 ; Biosystems Engineering Technology (any course not required for the major); CHEM 230 , CHEM 310 , CHEM 319 , CHEM 320 , CHEM 329 , CHEM 350 , CHEM 360 , CHEM 369 , CHEM 430 , CHEM 439 , CHEM 471 , CHEM 481 ; EEB 240 , EEB 304 , EEB 305 , EEB 330 , EEB 370 , EEB 414 , EEB 421 , EEB 424 , EEB 433 , EEB 470 , EEB 474 , EEB 484 , EEB 495 ; Environmental and Soil Sciences (any course not required for the major); EPP 313 , EPP 321 ; FDST 421 , FDST 429 ; FORS 314 , FORS 321 *; FWF 250 *, FWF 312 *, FWF 313 , FWF 317 , FWF 320 , FWF 420 ; GEOG 101 *, GEOG 131 *, GEOG 132 *, GEOG 310 , GEOG 334 , GEOG 410 , GEOG 411 , GEOG 413 , GEOG 414 , GEOG 415 , GEOG 434 , GEOG 436 , GEOG 439 ; GEOL 102 *, GEOL 103 *, GEOL 201 *, GEOL 202 *, GEOL 203 *, GEOL 310 , GEOL 370 , GEOL 450 , GEOL 455 , GEOL 485 ; JREM 450 *, JREM 451 *; MICR 210 *, MICR 310 , MICR 319 , MICR 410 , MICR 411 , MICR 470 ; PHYS 222 *; PLSC 250 *, PLSC 415 , PLSC 434 , PLSC 435 , PLSC 457 , PLSC 461 ; POLS 300 , POLS 330 , POLS 340 , POLS 430 , POLS 431 , POLS 440 , POLS 442 , POLS 470 ; SOCI 360 , SOCI 465 ; Statistics (any course above 201).
3 Any courses not already required for the major.