Bachelors of Soil Science and Water Systems (Environmental soil science)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Idaho

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Soil Science and Water Systems (Environmental Soil Science) at the University of Idaho is a 4-year, 120-credit degree that prepares students to understand and improve soil and water quality for agriculture, environmental restoration, development and bioremediation. Students combine biology, chemistry and physics with practical training in soil conservation, pedology, soil chemistry, soil physics, soil ecology and fertility, with substantial learning taking place in laboratories, greenhouses, plant science farms and field settings.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through subjects such as SOIL 1010 – Soil, Health, and Climate, which introduces the role of soils in climate change, human health and regenerative agriculture, and SOIL 2050 – The Soil Ecosystem, which introduces the physical, chemical and biological nature of soils. The accompanying SOIL 2060 – The Soil Ecosystem Lab provides hands-on laboratory experience with basic and applied soil science.

Year 2: Students progress into more specialised environmental soil science, building their understanding of soil properties, chemistry, biology and resource management. Courses such as SOIL 4220 – Environmental Soil Chemistry and SOIL 4250 – Microbial Ecology examine chemical processes in soils and the relationships between microorganisms, soil, water and plants.

Year 3: Students develop stronger skills in environmental assessment and soil–water relationships through subjects including SOIL 4500 – Environmental Hydrology and SOIL 4520 – Environmental Water Quality. The latter includes field, laboratory and modelling approaches for assessing non-point pollution and watersheds, giving students practical experience with environmental monitoring and management.

Year 4: Advanced study focuses on applying soil science to land management and environmental challenges through subjects such as SOIL 4540 – Pedology and SOIL 4580 – Soil and Site Evaluation. Students can also gain direct professional experience through SOIL 3980 – Internship, while field-based study such as SOIL 4560 – North Idaho Field Trip develops their ability to evaluate soils, land use and soil–plant relationships in real environments.

Focus areas:

Environmental soil science, soil conservation and management, pedology, soil chemistry, soil physics, soil ecology, soil fertility, environmental hydrology, water quality, bioremediation, natural-resource management and sustainable agriculture.

Learning outcomes:

Students develop the ability to analyse soil characteristics, apply biological, chemical and physical principles to soil and water problems, conduct field and laboratory investigations, evaluate soil and environmental conditions, and develop management approaches that support long-term soil and water sustainability.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The program prepares students to work toward becoming certified soil scientists prior to graduation, with the curriculum providing interdisciplinary preparation in pedology, soil chemistry, soil physics, soil ecology and fertility.

Reputation (employability rankings):

The University of Idaho identifies current opportunities for graduates in areas including environmental science, compliance, conservation and natural-resource management, with the program page reporting 2,344 current job openings across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Hawaii for listed related occupations.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelors of Soil Science and Water Systems (Environmental Soil Science) at the University of Idaho is strongly hands-on, with students spending substantial time in plant science farms, greenhouses, laboratories and field environments rather than learning only through classroom theory. Students apply biology, chemistry and physics to real soil and water problems, including collecting soil samples, analysing them, investigating contaminants and measuring plant nutrients, while also having opportunities for undergraduate research and internships.

Students can build practical experience through the program's dedicated facilities, research collections, field sites and professional activities:

Field-based soil investigation: Students may collect and analyse soil samples, investigate water contaminants and measure plant nutrients through field and laboratory work.
Soil science laboratories: The department has a state-of-the-art analytical laboratory facility for faculty, staff and students, supporting practical soil analysis and research.
Pedology Laboratory: The university's Pedology Laboratory conducts research into the environmental factors and processes responsible for soil formation and their effects on soil use and management.
Greenhouses and growth chambers: Students and researchers have access to greenhouse facilities with controlled-temperature and light-programmed rooms and growth chambers, allowing controlled plant and soil studies.
Maynard A. Fosberg Soil Monolith Collection: Students can learn from an extensive collection of approximately 235 soil monoliths representing soils from Idaho, the Pacific Northwest and the United States; the collection is located in the Agricultural Science building.
Deep Soil Ecotron: The Deep Soil Ecotron, located in the JW Martin Laboratory on the Moscow campus, enables research into soil ecosystems at great depths and provides an unusual research environment for students interested in advanced soil science.
Undergraduate research: Students can participate in faculty-led undergraduate research, with CALS specifically highlighting opportunities for students to undertake in-depth research beyond the classroom.
Internships: The curriculum provides opportunities for internships, allowing students to gain practical job experience and develop connections that can support future career opportunities.
Practical laboratory coursework: SOIL 2060 – The Soil Ecosystem Lab gives students hands-on laboratory experience through experiments and demonstrations covering basic and applied soil science.
Field projects and field trips: SOIL 4170 – Market Garden Practicum provides experiential learning through field work and field trips, including soil fertility and testing, crop rotation and weed management.
Research and Extension centres: Students can access field and laboratory facilities at University of Idaho research and extension centres in Aberdeen, Parma, Kimberly and Twin Falls, extending practical learning beyond the Moscow campus.
Student organisations and professional exposure: The Plant and Soil Science Club, Soil and Site Evaluation Team and Soil Stewards Club provide opportunities to collaborate, network and gain experience connected with the field.
Field agriculture resources: The university has 1,145 acres close to campus for field crops, orchards and livestock, providing additional opportunities for agricultural field-based learning and research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelors of Soil Science and Water Systems (Environmental Soil Science) at the University of Idaho prepares students for careers focused on soil conservation, natural-resource management, environmental assessment and sustainable land use. Graduates can apply their knowledge of pedology, soil chemistry, soil physics, soil ecology and fertility in professional roles such as soil scientist, conservationist, agronomist, laboratory manager and environmental consultant.

Career progression is supported through:

Career opportunities: University of Idaho reports current job openings across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Hawaii, including 2,344 openings associated with environmental-soil-science career areas. Reported mid-career salaries include $92,730 for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, $84,213 for Compliance Officers/Environmental Compliance Inspectors, $61,322 for Environmental Science Technicians, and $54,015 for Forest and Conservation Technicians.
Practical professional preparation: Students gain hands-on laboratory and undergraduate research experience and work toward becoming certified soil scientists before graduation.
Internships and industry exposure: The Department of Soil and Water Systems provides internship opportunities designed to give students practical job experience and help open career opportunities.
Research opportunities: Students can work with faculty in classroom and field settings and access research expertise spanning soil science, hydrology, sediment transport, irrigation engineering, precision agriculture, nutrient cycling, waste management and environmental soil chemistry.
Professional networking: The Plant and Soil Science Club and Soil Stewards Club provide opportunities to network, participate in professional meetings and conventions, develop teamwork and leadership skills, and gain professional references.
Research facilities: Students can benefit from the department's Maynard A. Fosberg Monolith collection, state-of-the-art analytical laboratory, greenhouse facilities with controlled-temperature and light-programmed rooms and growth chambers, plus field and laboratory facilities at research and extension centres in Aberdeen, Parma, Kimberly and Twin Falls.
Long-term professional value: The degree develops the interdisciplinary scientific preparation needed for soil and natural-resource careers, while the university's curriculum specifically supports students working toward professional soil-scientist certification.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into M.S. and Ph.D. study in Soil and Land Resources at the University of Idaho, or pursue interdisciplinary graduate programs in Water Resources and Environmental Science. The Department of Soil and Water Systems specifically offers master's and doctoral pathways in soil and land resources, allowing students to progress from undergraduate training into advanced research and specialist study.