Why study soil?

Soil science is a very interdisciplinary area of study, and so connects with many other subjects. Traditionally, soil science has been highly valued by agriculture because of the obvious impacts that soil has on crop productivity. While that interest continues, many other fields have recognized the role of soil in Earth systems in general. Understanding soil is critical for addressing issues of food scarcity, infrastructure development, water management, climate change, biodiversity loss, and human health. Soil provides many ecosystem services that are crucial for achieving sustainability goals.

Why study soil at Iowa State University?

Iowa State University has been home to groundbreaking soil science since the inception of the university, which makes sense due to the importance of soil to Iowa’s economy. Today, Iowa State University has one of the largest, most recognized soil science faculty in the world.

What are the benefits?

This certificate provides guidance for how students can select their courses to open additional career opportunities. By completing this certificate, they will be eligible for jobs that require specialized education in soil science. That education reflects the many interactive components of soil, which is one of the reasons that soil is such a fascinating thing to study.

How do I sign up?

If you are already a student at Iowa State University, declaring a certificate is like declaring a minor. With the assistance of your home department adviser, you will need to complete a “Curriculum Change Form“, which will add the Soil Science certificate to your academic progress report (APR) in Workday. We highly recommend visiting with a Soil Science Certificate adviser to discuss your course plans and opportunities for careers connected to soil science.

If you are not a current student, you can enroll at Iowa State University as a non-degree seeking student. You only need to have earned a college degree (e.g., an associate’s degree) from any institution to add a certificate from Iowa State to your resume.