Soil Science

Overview

The Soil Science department's mission at the University of Wisconsin Madison is to provide instruction, research, and extension leadership in soil chemistry, physics, biology, and pedology to economic and sustainable land use. Programs are designed to improve basic understanding and practical management of soil resources in natural, agricultural, and urban ecosystems, and to serve local, state, national, and global interests. The department implements the Wisconsin Idea to the extended community and provides all generations with an appreciation of soil as a key natural resource and thorough understanding of the scientific basis of the environment and agriculture.

Soil Science entails understanding soils and applying the principles of physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology to the sustainable management of soil and the environment. Soil science deals with the effects of climate change and its interaction with the soil, with scarcity of water resources, and the increase of food production to feed 9 billion people. The link between soils and biodiversity as well as the effects of soils on biofuel production is widely researched in the Department of Soil Science.

Learning Outcomes

• Articulates, critiques, and elaborates theories, research methods, and approaches in soil science.

• Identifies sources and assembles evidence addressing questions or challenges in soil science.

• Understands the field of soil science in historical, social, and global contexts.

• Selects and/or utilizes the appropriate methodologies and practices for soil science research.

• Evaluates or synthesizes information addressing research questions.

• Communicates clearly in oral and written forms.

• Recognizes and applies principles of ethical and professional conduct.