Biogeochemists study the physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in soils and ecosystems. This includes flows of energy, mass, carbon, nutrients, and water and how these flows regulate ecosystem processes and ecosystem services. The Soil Biogeochemistry specialization prepares students for careers in soil science, including its sub-disciplines soil ecology, soil physics, soil morphology and soil chemistry. Students learn about the role of soils in ecosystem processes related to nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and other ecosystem services.
The courses that are part of this specialization provide theoretical and practical training in soil science with students acquiring skills needed for:
- field investigations of soils;
- chemical and physical soil analyses and interpretation of data; and
- reporting, including writing and presentation.
After completing the necessary coursework, students are prepared for graduate study or may enter employment with state and federal agencies, private firms, and non-profit organizations.
The curriculum provides students with enough credits to meet the requirements for federal positions as a soil scientist (OPM 0470 Series: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/soil-science-series-0470/).
