Department website: https://gradcatalog.ufl.edu/graduate/colleges-departments/agricultural-life-sciences/soil-water/

Program Information

The Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department offers Master of Science (thesis or professional non-thesis option) and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in soil, water, and ecosystem sciences with the following specializations: ecology, environmental science, hydrologic science, and soil science. The department also offers Master of Science (thesis or professional option) track in environmental science via distance education for place bound students (http://soils.ifas.ufl.edu/academics/degree-environscience.shtml). Requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

Students can also develop specializations in several interdisciplinary areas including biogeochemistry, ecology, geographic information systems, hydrologic science, tropical agriculture, turfgrass management, and wetland science. The Department emphasizes (but is not limited to) the following research areas:

• Nutrient, Pesticide, and Waste Management
• Soil, Water, and Aquifer Remediation
• Carbon Dynamics and Ecosystem Services
• Landscape Analysis and Modeling
• Wetlands and Aquatic Ecosystems

Interests of the student and faculty, the facilities, and funding available will determine the student’s research area. A specific program of study is prepared by an appointed supervisory committee for each student. Students will present a thesis or dissertation in their major field (M.S. thesis option and Ph.D.). In addition, Ph.D. candidates must pass a qualifying examination covering several areas of soil and water science and related fields.

Prerequisites: Students who expect to do graduate work in the Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department should hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in soil, water, and ecosystem sciences or the equivalent background in another field of science. Graduate students should have backgrounds in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics and knowledge of basic soil and water science.

For more information, please see our website: http://soils.ifas.ufl.edu.

Degrees Offered with a Major in Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences

• Doctor of Philosophy
  • without a concentration
  • concentration in Climate Science
  • concentration in Geographic Information Systems
  • concentration in Global Systems Agroecology
  • concentration in Hydrologic Sciences
  • concentration in Tropical Conservation and Development
  • concentration in Wetland Sciences
• Master of Science
  • without a concentration
  • concentration in Agroecology
  • concentration in Climate Science
  • concentration in Geographic Information Systems
  • concentration in Hydrologic Sciences
  • concentration in Research Methods
  • concentration in Tropical Conservation and Development
  • concentration in Wetland Sciences

Requirements for these degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Departmental Courses

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Courses

soil and water science (PHD)

SLO 1     Theories and Concepts 
Describe and explain theories and concepts in soil and water sciences

SLO 2     Skills     
Apply, analyze, and synthesize content knowledge by identifying component parts, relationships and ideas

SLO 3     Professional Behavior   
Display ethical behaviors, cultural sensitivity, teamwork, professional conduct and communication

Soil and water science (MS)

SLO 1     Theories and Concepts in Soil and Water Sciences            
Describe and explain theories and concepts in soil and water sciences

SLO 2     Skills     
Apply, analyze, and synthesize content knowledge by identifying component parts, relationships and ideas

SLO 3     Professional Behavior   
Display ethical behaviors, cultural sensitivity, professional conduct and effective communication