Programs in soil science teach people the properties of soil. Students learn how plants and soils interact. They also learn about soil chemistry and fertility. In addition, they learn how to prepare and maintain soils to cultivate healthy plants.
In years past, common gardening advice was to buy some of the funky blue fertilizer and douse your plants with it. "Feeding" the plants was considered the best way to get the best tomato, geranium, sweet peas, roses. You get the picture. Today, the mantra has become not to feed your plants, but to feed your soil. Soil scientists have taught both gardeners and farmers alike that healthy dirt will give you a healthy plant.
So what makes soil happy and healthy? It turns out the answer to this is quite complex. Soils need to have healthy bacteria to combat the not-so-nice varieties of bacteria. It needs to have oxygen and space (often provided by fat earthworms) and the ability to both drain and retain water. Different chemicals and minerals need to be present, but just like most things in life, too much of a good thing usually leads to problems.
Soil scientists are people who study soil in-depth to understand just what will make the ground under our feet healthy. To do this, they take numerous science courses. Typical soil science programs include course work in biology, geology, and chemistry. Most programs have an environmental focus, so you also take courses in ecology, plant nutrition, and preservation. Because soil science programs often intersect with other environmentally-minded programs, you may also take courses in land use, planning, and waste management.
Opportunities for graduates with degrees in soil science are numerous. Many go on to graduate school, where they may study soil science at the master's or Ph.D. level. Agronomy, environmental studies, and horticulture are other common programs of study. Those who decide not to pursue graduate school can work in a variety of fields. These include land management, environmental testing, agriculture, and for government agencies that manage land and environmental quality.
About 45 four-year schools offer undergraduate programs in soil science. In some cases, soil science is part of a larger agronomy, agriculture, ecology, or biology department. Many programs also offer soil science as a minor as part of a larger program. Graduate degrees in soil science are common. In general, a bachelor's degree takes about four years after high school. Master's degrees take two additional years after that, and a Ph.D. adds on three to five more years after the completion of your master's degree.