Environmental Restoration

Soil is one of the basic necessities for life. It provides the growing medium for plants, supplying food for humans and animals. It supports our structures, purifies our groundwater supply, and converts waste materials into their beneficial component parts. Soil itself is an ecosystem as complex and interesting as any on the face of the planet. The continuing existence of life itself requires wise use of our soil resource. Professionals with strong soil science backgrounds are needed to guide this use.

The environmental soil science major offers you a variety of in-class and out-of-class experiences to help you develop as a professional. Emphasis is placed on soils in an environmental context. This includes the impact of geology, water and ecology on the behavior of soils. Soils are examined from physical, chemical, and microbiological points of view. You and your academic adviser can customize your course program and adapt the major to meet your own interests and strengths. Internships or employment in University, federal or private soils laboratories can complement your classroom studies.

PROGRAM
As an environmental soil science major you will build on the principles of basic science and apply this knowledge to solve environmental and agricultural problems. Courses applying chemistry, biology, and physics to management and use of soils serve as the core program for an environmental soil science major. This major is offered through the School of Natural Resource Sciences and leads to graduation with a bachelor of science degree in natural resources. Over 15 environmental soil science faculty teach, research, and perform extension activities in the School of Natural Resource Sciences, the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, and Conservation and Survey Division.

Many careers are available in environmental soil science. Some are with resource management agencies such as the Natural Resource Conservation Service, Natural Resource Districts or U.S. Forest Service. Private companies employ soil scientists to assist with remediation of contaminated soils, diagnosis of plant growth problems, irrigation or waste management. Other employers may need soil scientists for wetland delineation, land use management or environmental education. Soil is one of our most valuable resources. With an environmental soil science major, you could be involved in its management and conservation.

RESOURCES
Environmental soil science majors at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln have access to many hands-on learning opportunities and have close contact with professors, an academic adviser, and other staff members. You will be able to participate in independent study projects, internships, and summer employment programs. You will want to meet often with your assigned academic adviser for help in planning your education.

In all programs for environmental soil science majors, professors emphasize contact with students and high-quality teaching. These resources will help you define your educational goals and reach your full potential.

ACTIVITIES
Nebraska students have access to hundreds of activities and groups related to specific academic, social, cultural, and political interests. Involvement in any of these organizations builds leadership, communication, and organizational skills, and helps you make new friends with similar interests. As an environmental soil science major, you may be particularly interested in the Soil and Water Resources Club or the Agronomy Club as well as the Soil Judging Team. The Lincoln Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society also welcomes undergraduates to participate in meetings, tours, and discussions about soils and soil-related concerns in Nebraska and the nation.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID
The School of Natural Resource Sciences and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources provides an extensive college-based scholarship program for their students. In addition to University-wide and other scholarships, more than a quarter of a million dollars is awarded annually by CASNR and its academic units to students enrolled in the College. Scholarship amounts range from $100 to $3,000 per year. Some are renewable for up to four years, depending on the scholarship and the student’s academic performance.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• 4 units of English
• 4 units of mathematics
• 3 units of social sciences
• 3 units of natural sciences
• 2 units of foreign language

In addition, you must either rank in the top half of your high school class, or have an ACT composite score of 20 or higher, or have an SAT total score of 950 or higher.