Top Masters Programs in Soil Science and Agronomy

The Field of Soil and Crop Sciences occupies a modern and diversified agronomic research facility. An air-conditioned, eleven-story research tower and adjoining wings incorporate fully equipped laboratory, teaching, office, and supporting spaces. Growth chambers and greenhouses are on the campus, and there are three main field stations near Ithaca. Some members of the field are staff members at the Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health or the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, both of which are on campus.

Many of the faculty members have research programs concerning international agricultural and environmental issues in tropical and subtropical regions. A limited number of students can do most or all of their research overseas. In addition, the M.P.S.(A.L.S.) program has a Peace Corps option in which the student undertakes two semesters of academic work at Cornell and a Peace Corps assignment.

The Soil and Water Science Department offers Master of Science (thesis or professional non-thesis option) and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in soil and water science with the following specializations: ecology, environmental science, hydrologic science, and soil science. The department also offers Master of Science (thesis or professional option) specialization in environmental science via distance education for place bound students. Requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

Students can also develop specializations in several interdisciplinary areas including biogeochemistry, ecology, geographic information systems, hydrologic science, tropical agriculture, turfgrass management, and wetland science.

Interests of the student and faculty, the facilities, and funding available will determine the student’s research area. A specific program of study is prepared by an appointed supervisory committee for each student. Students will present a thesis or dissertation in their major field (M.S. thesis option and Ph.D.). In addition, Ph.D. candidates must pass a qualifying examination covering several areas of soil and water science and related fields.

The UW-Madison Department of Soil Science has offered MS and PhD degrees in specialty areas for over 90 years. The Department of Soil Science offers a M.S. degree in soil and water technology for sustainable agriculture which emphasizes studies in different agroecological zones.

The objective of this Doctorate in Crop and Soil Sciences program is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the scientific method, to develop their ability for critical thinking and to provide them with strong communication and technical skills as well as in-depth knowledge.

Agronomy is an Associate of Science program that focuses on the science of agronomic crop production and includes the study of soil, crop, and pest management.

The Associate of Science degree program at Ohio State ATI allows students to complete 50 percent of the curriculum needed to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in sustainable plant systems at The Ohio State University in Columbus. Students in the sustainable plant systems major can specialize in agronomy, horticulture, landscape design and management, and turfgrass science.

The Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences is home for 25 faculty members on the Blacksburg campus and 6 faculty located at Research and Extension Centers throughout Virginia. More than 250 undergraduates and more than 60 graduate students are enrolled in degree programs within the department. Faculty in our department bring in more than $4 million in sponsored research each year. The department features strong research and outreach programs in agronomy, crop improvement, breeding, and genomics; and environmental science.

The Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences at Virginia Tech strives for pre-eminence in teaching, research, extension, and outreach to provide sustainable ecosystem management and improved environmental quality. We integrate sciences to deliver comprehensive solutions to the agricultural and environmental challenges of today and tomorrow.

We value and reward excellence, integrity, respect, collegiality, effective communication, and resource stewardship. These values are essential to meet the land grant university’s commitment to the Commonwealth, the nation, and the global community.

We will meet the land-grant mission of Virginia Tech by improving crop plants for human use, increasing knowledge about human impacts on the environment, and enhancing sustainable practices in crop production and land use through education, research, and outreach.

Work leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is designed to give the candidate a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of his or her professional field and training in methods of research. The final basis for granting the degree shall be the candidate’s grasp of the subject matter of a broad field of study and a demonstrated ability to do independent research. In addition, the candidate must have acquired the ability to express thoughts clearly and forcefully in both oral and written languages. The degree is not granted solely for the completion of coursework, residence and technical requirements, although these must be met.

For a student who has completed a master’s degree, a DDS/DMD, DVM or MD at a U.S. institution, a minimum of 64 hours is required on the degree plan for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. For a student who has completed a baccalaureate degree but not a master’s degree or a U.S. DDS/DMD, DVM or MD, a minimum of 96 hours is required on the degree plan for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

The Plant and Soil Sciences Program in the Stockbridge School of Agriculture is accepting applications to the on-campus M.S. and Ph.D. degree and Off-Campus Professional Soil Science M.S. degree. All individuals pursuing a thesis-based M.S. or Ph.D. degree should first contact a member of our faculty to determine the compatibility of his or her research with your interests and, for Ph.D. candidates, to determine the availability of funding. Individuals who have not made such a connection likely will not be considered for acceptance.

The Plant & Soil Sciences Graduate Program offers the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree, and both thesis and non-thesis Master of Science (M.S.) degrees. A non-thesis, Off-Campus M.S. graduate program in Soil Science is also available. Plant & Soil Science Graduate program provides training, experience, and mentoring to the M.S. and Ph.D. in the full spectrum of agricultural and environmental study, including plant physiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, plant pathology, ecology, production technology, soil science, agricultural marketing, etc. The Plant and Soil Science Graduate Program ensures excellence by devoting considerable resources and faculty efforts to the graduate curriculum and preparing the students to be successful leaders in research, education, and industry.

M.S. students (thesis option) are required to take 30 credits of which nine may be thesis research credits. The M.S. non-thesis option is considered to be a terminal degree program and requires additional course work. For Ph.D. students, a personalized curriculum will be designed by the student and his/her Guidance Committee. All Ph.D. students must pass both written and oral Comprehensive Exams.

NC State’s Department of Crop and Soil Sciences has a rich and successful history of outstanding innovation and discovery, rigorous academic programs leading students to successful careers in agriculture and environmental sciences, and delivery of science-based information through strong Extension programs.

We will be a world leader in crop and soil science education and in the generation and application of knowledge required for economically and environmentally sustainable crop systems and products, as well as in developing land management strategies that protect the quality of North Carolina’s soil, water and air resources.

We develop future leaders in crop, soil and environmental sciences; improve crop plants and products; devise effective and sustainable crop production systems; develop effective and sustainable soil management techniques in both agricultural and urban settings; and disseminate crop, soil, and environmental science knowledge for the benefit of users and producers of food, feed, turf, biofuels and fiber in North Carolina, the nation and the world.

Soil Science (M.S. thesis, Ph.D. dissertation) involves course work and thesis research in soil chemistry, soil fertility and management, soil physics, soil microbiology and biochemistry, environmental microbiology, soil and water quality and soil formation and biogeochemistry.