Future Students

Soil Science

Soil scientists study areas such as the formation and evolution of soils, the rocks and minerals from which soils are formed, water and solute transport in soils, the ability of a soil to act as a source of plant nutrients, soil microbiology, and plant nutrition.

Soil Science is available as a major under the three-year Bachelor of Science degree and Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) program, as well as under the four year Agriculture, Horticulture, and Natural Resource Management degrees.

Soil Science can also be studied as a combined degree; Science/Arts, Science/Commerce, Science/Economics, Science/Education, Science/Engineering, or Science/Law.

In the second year of the Bachelor of Science degree you choose units towards at least two majors. During your third year you must complete at least one major, but you may also complete two (or more) majors.

In Level 1 you follow and foundation package and study Earth and Environmental Science, Chemistry, Maths and/or Stats. You will choose units from Biology and Physics.

Level 2
In Level 2 you will study Earth Surface Processes and Soils, Soil Biology and Plant Nutrition, plus units toward a second major.

Level 3
In level 3 you will study Land, Soil and Water Systems, How Soils Function, and a Soil Sicence Research Project. Plus units toward a second major if you elect to do a double major.

If you are interested in finding out which subjects you will study then have a look at the Course Outline. This will show you the core units and the options for the course, along with course rules.

You will notice that each unit has a unit code, for example BIOL1130. The first number in the unit code indicates the level of the unit - in this case level one. For a more detailed description of a particular unit, click on the unit code.

Career opportunities

Soil Science integrates many aspects of science in a way that enables you to tackle a wide range of environmental issues. Graduates find employment in many facets of environmental science within the Department of Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, mining companies, water management authorities and chemical companies. Other opportunities include environmental consultancy and teaching. The broad-base of Soil Science provides a solid foundation to investigate land conservation and rehabilitation issues.