Nov 02, 2024  
2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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


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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 two concentrations, Soil Science and Environmental Science. Both of these 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.
 

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


 

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.

 

First Year

Hours Credit

BIOL 111 *, BIOL 112 * or BIOL 130 *, BIOL 140 * 8
CHEM 120 *, CHEM 130 * 8
ENGL 101 *, ENGL 102 * 6
ESS 120 * 3
MATH 151 *, MATH 152 * 6
   

Second Year

 
AGNR 290  3
1Arts and Humanities  Electives* 6
1Cultures and Civilizations  Elective* 3
AREC 201 * or ECON 201 * 4
ESS 210  4
GEOL 101 * 4
PHYS 221 * 4
STAT 201 * 3
   

Third Year

 
BSET 326  or BSET 412  3
CHEM 110 * or CHEM 350  3-4
CHEM 310 , CHEM 319  4
ESS 301 *, ESS 324 , ESS 334 , ESS 454  10
PLSC 250  3
2Technical Electives 6

PHIL 346 *

3
   

Fourth Year

 
AREC 470  or   3
ESS 434 , ESS 442 , ESS 444 , ESS 462  12
1Social Sciences  Elective* 3
2Technical Electives 6
Free Electives 5-6
   
 

Total 124

   
* Meets University General Education Requirement .
1 Choose from the University General Education list .
2 Note that some electives have required prerequisites. The prerequisites are either required in the major or are listed below. See individual course descriptions in the catalog for specific information. ANSC 220 , ANSC 280 , ANSC 320 , ANSC 330 , ANSC 380 , ANSC 381 ; BCMB 306 , BCMB 310 ,  , BCMB 321 , BCMB 401 , BCMB 402 , BCMB 404 , 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 ; EPP 313 , EPP 321 ; Environmental and Soil Sciences (any course not required for the major); FDST 420 , FDST 429 ; FORS 314 , FORS 321 ; FWF 250 , FWF 312 , FWF 313 , FWF 317 , FWF 320 , FWF 420 ; GEOG 101 , GEOG 102 , GEOG 131 , GEOG 132 , GEOG 310 , GEOG 334 , GEOG 410 , GEOG 411 , GEOG 413 ,  , GEOG 415 , GEOG 434 , GEOG 436 , GEOG 439 ; GEOL 101 ,  , GEOL 103 , GEOL 201 , GEOL 202 , GEOL 203 , GEOL 310 , GEOL 370 , GEOL 450 ,  , GEOL 485 ;  ,  ; MICR 310 , MICR 319 , MICR 410 , MICR 411 , MICR 470 ; PHYS 222 ; PLSC 250 , 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 462 , SOCI 465 ; Statistics (any course above 201).

 

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