Soil science studies soils and their interaction with living things, especially plants. This sub-discipline is further cleaved into two branches, Pedology and Edaphology. Soil Science inspects the process of soil formation as well as its classification. It is an interdisciplinary field where engineers, biologists, microbiologists, sanitarians, and archaeologists contribute to further the knowledge in this field making its scope of employability massive. Soil Science draws knowledge and concepts from other disciplines like Geology, Natural Resource Management, Sustainable Development, and Biochemistry. Students pursuing Soil Science degrees gain knowledge on topics like soil conservation, crop rotation, soil fertilizers, water management, and crop tillage to name a few.
Soil scientists study soil as a natural resource and try to sustain it as well as bring to light the process of soil preservation, in order to prevent land degradation. Soil scientists have a colossal area of employment opportunities as land degradation drastically impacts our agriculture in addition to our economy posing a threat to the national revenue. They work with farmers to protect the sustainability of soil, eventually protecting our flora and fauna, as healthy land is indispensable to both. The restoration of the quality of land and prevention of land degradation is a very rudimentary requirement that impacts huge areas of human pursuit making its reach very elaborate and significant.
Study Levels
The following are the study levels that are offered under this discipline:
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Soil and Crop Sciences
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Plant Sciences
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Agricultural Science
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Soil, Water, and Atmosphere
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Horticulture
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Soil Water and Environmental Science
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Agricultural sciences
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Soil Geography and Earth Science Dynamics
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Soils and Global Change
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Soil Mechanics and Business Management
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Crop and Soil Sciences
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Soil and Sustainability
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Plant Sciences
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Soil ad Land Resources
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Plant Breeding
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Earth sciences
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Agronomy
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Plant and Soil Science
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Plantation Management
PhD
Specialisations
The following are the areas of specialisation that are offered under this sub-discipline:
Pesticide Science
Horticultural Sciences
Land Reclamation and Restoration
Soil and Crop Sciences
Decommissioning
Soil Mechanics
Soil Assessment and Remediation
Agriculture Science
Soil and Plant Nutrition
Soils and Global Change
Forestry
Engineering Seismology
Environment Geotechniques
Plant Sciences
Edaphology
Soil Biochemistry
Soil Microbiology
Soil Biology
Soil Chemistry
Soil Biochemistry
Nutrient Management
Soil Genesis
Soil Mineralogy
Employability
Soil Science is an interdisciplinary field that amalgamates with agriculture as well as horticulture to inspect as well as sustain the nutrients and other fertility properties of the soil. Microbiologists, as well as Soil Mineralogists, work to enhance the quality of this natural resource that impacts the flora that breeds in the land. Agriculture is highly dependent on the magnitude of the fertility of the soil that impacts the general health as well as the economy of a country. Since soil is a vital natural resource for anthropogenic activities, its range of employability is massive.
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- Students of soil science can engage in employment opportunities as:
Soil Scientist
Hydrologist
Soil Conservation Technician
Microbiologist
Soil Researcher
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- Plantation Managers
Soil Pedologist
Soil Science Teacher/Professor
Environmental Consultant
Crop Consultant
Crop Production Specialist
Farmer
Watershed Technician
Conservation Planner
Soil Nutrient Manager