Program Overview

Soil Science, Ph.D.

Overview

The Department of Soil Science offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

Admission Information

Admission to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Admission requirements for doctoral students are found in the Doctor of Philosophy General Regulations section of the Guide.

Soil Science Ph.D. Admission Requirements

Admission requirements are those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Degree Requirements

Each student's program is individually tailored, but still must satisfy those requirements prescribed by the Department.

• Where admission to the Ph.D. is from a M.Sc. degree, the course work will be a minimum of 6 credit hours at the 7000 level or higher of which at least 3 credit hours must be from the Department of Soil Science.
• Where admission to the Ph.D. is directly from an Honours Bachelor Degree or equivalent, the coursework will be a minimum of 18 credit hours consisting of a minimum of 12 credit hours at the 7000 level (of which at least 6 credit hours must be from the Department of Soil Science) with the balance of the coursework at the 3000 level or above.

To meet graduation requirements, all students must have demonstrated either in their current program or in previous studies:

1. Twelve credit hours in fundamental and applied soil sciences at the senior undergraduate or graduate level;
2. Experimental design and statistical analysis - 3 credit hours at the senior undergraduate or graduate level;
3. Communication skills – students will have completed SOIL 7220 or a similar course approved by the Department Head.

• In addition, students will normally present papers at scientific meetings.

Expected Time to Graduate

3.5 - 4 years

Progression Chart

Registration Information

Students should familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies 'GRAD' courses applicable to their program.

• All students in the graduate program must meet with their advisor/advisory committee to determine courses.
• Courses must be listed on the departmental approval form and written approval granted from both the advisor and the department head or designate.

Regulations

Students must meet the requirements as outlined in both Supplementary Regulation and BFAR documents as approved by Senate.

Supplementary Regulations

Individual units may require specific requirements above and beyond those of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and students should consult unit supplementary regulations for these specific regulations.

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR)

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR) represent the core academic requirements a graduate student must acquire in order to gain, and demonstrate acquisition of, essential knowledge and skills.

• All students must successfully complete GRAD 7300 prior to applying to any ethics boards which are appropriate to the student's research or within the student's first year, whichever comes first; and GRAD 7500 within the first term of registration;
• Unless these courses have been completed previously, as per Mandatory Academic Integrity Course and Mandatory Research Integrity Online Course.
• Students must also meet additional BFAR requirements that may be specified for their program.

General Regulations

All students must:

• Maintain a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+;
• Meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum course requirements;
• Meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum time requirements (in terms of time in program and lapse or expiration of credit of courses).

Courses

Soil Science

• SOIL 7220: Principles of Scientific Research and Communication (3 credit hours)
  • Principles of scientific research; management skills; writing skills; oral and poster presentation; preparation of research proposal and thesis (pass/fail).
  • Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
• SOIL 7250: Topics in Soil Science (3 credit hours)
  • Several courses in soil science are sectioned into modules. Modules of one credit hour on special topics are also available.
  • Students may select three modules from the various courses or from special topics for SOIL 7250.
• SOIL 7310: Soil Health for Sustainable Ecosystems (3 credit hours)
  • The investigation of water dynamics including water retention and transport in soils, plant regulation of water, evapotranspiration, and the limitations of water for ecosystem function in current and future Prairie climates.
  • Measurement and modeling techniques are developed.
  • Students will critique the literature and explore assigned topics.
  • Permission of instructor.
• SOIL 7320: Advances in Landscape Processes (3 credit hours)
  • An examination of methods and technologies to characterize landscapes and understand processes across a range of spatial scales.
  • Students will investigate landscape dynamics through the development and application of digital techniques and mathematical models.
  • Students will critique the literature and explore assigned topics.
  • Permission of instructor.
• SOIL 7330: Nutrients in Agroecosystems (3 credit hours)
  • Advanced study of nutrients in soils and plants including ecosystem behaviour and crop requirements, methods and approaches for studying nutrient dynamics, and applications and emerging issues.
  • Students will critique the literature and investigate assigned topics.
  • Permission of instructor.
• SOIL 7340: Water in the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum (3 credit hours)
  • The investigation of water dynamics including water retention and transport in soils, plant regulation of water, evapotranspiration, and the limitations of water for ecosystem function in current and future Prairie climates.
  • Measurement and modeling techniques are developed.
  • Students will critique the literature and explore assigned topics.
  • Permission of instructor.