B.S. in Soil and Crop Sciences, Soil Ecology Concentration

The Soil and Crop Sciences, Soil Ecology Concentration at Colorado State University provides hands-on training and expert instruction that will equip students to solve current global challenges in soil, plant, and environmental sciences.

Soils are the most complex and diverse habitats for life on earth. Soil health is critical to human well-being.

The Soil and Crop Sciences, Soil Ecology Concentration at Colorado State University emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of soils through the study of soil organisms, their interactions with each other, and the soil’s physical and chemical environment.

These interactions affect the cycling of elements – including carbon and nitrogen, release (or consumption) of greenhouse gases, water quality, soil formation and structure, and plant productivity.

Career opportunities exist in academia, state and federal health and environmental agencies, natural resource agencies (water and soil), state and national parks services, private industries, and in the rapidly growing environmental consulting profession.

Learning Outcomes

Successful students will achieve:

• Technical competencies, including knowledge and understanding of soil and crop science principles, the ability to apply these principles to specific issues, and the ability to synthesize information (both technical and non-technical) to meet identified needs.
• Problem solving skills, such as identifying a problem, collecting data, summarizing information, and drawing conclusions.
• Professional interpersonal and communication skills, such as presenting a topic with logical development, technical understanding, mechanical and technique correctness, and accurate documentation of sources.

Potential Occupations

The demand for students with training in soil and crop sciences has never been greater. The agricultural sector is undergoing rapid change as we enter the era of big data and embrace new technologies.