Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department

Chair: Matt Whiles
Graduate Coordinator: P. Christopher Wilson

Soil and water are vital resources in urban, agricultural, and natural ecosystems. The Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences provides highly visible leadership in teaching, research, and extension/outreach programs as related to improving the productivity of agriculture with environmentally sound management practices, improving water quality, and protecting and conserving natural resources. Our department is one of the few in the nation that offers comprehensive research and educational programs (molecular to landscape level) involving terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic ecosystems. In addition to traditional on-campus educational programs, we use innovative e-technologies to offer educational programs to place-bound students throughout the world.   Our graduates and postdoctoral fellows are well-prepared for future careers in universities, state and federal agencies, and private industry.
The Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in the Soil and Water Sciences.  Broadly defined emphasis areas for degree programs include:

• biogeochemistry (coastal, landscape, soil, trace metals, and wetlands)
• bioenergy and sustainable technology
• carbon dynamics and ecosystem services
• environmental toxicology
• landscape analysis and modeling
• landscape and soil hydrology
• microbial ecology, molecular biology, bioinformatics
• pedological sciences
• soil quality (natural, agricultural, and urban systems)
• soil physics
• soil, water, and aquifer remediation
• soil, water, and environmental chemistry
• soil, water, and nutrient management
• water quality (natural, agricultural, and urban systems)
• watershed sciences and management
• wetland, aquatic systems, and coastal ecology

Students can work with departmental faculty on the main campus and at Research and Education Centers located throughout the state to custom-design their graduate program.  The department also offers a completely online Master of Science degree (thesis or professional non-thesis option) via distance education for place-bound students interested in environmental sciences or an agroecology concentration (http://soils.ifas.ufl.edu/sws-online/).  Requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.  An additional option offered by the Department is a combination bachelor's/master's degree program that allows students to earn a B.S. in Soil and Water Sciences or Interdisciplinary Studies – Environmental Management in Agriculture and Natural Resources and an M.S. Degree within five years.  In addition to the MS and PhD degrees, the Department also offers graduate-level certificates in Biodegradation and Remediation, Global Agroecology, Soil Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Agroecosystems, Sustainable Land Resource and Nutrient Management, and Wetland and Water Resource Management for on-campus and off-campus students via the distance education delivery system (http://soils.ifas.ufl.edu/academics/degree-certificates.shtml).  Contact the graduate coordinator for more information.

For more information, please see the program page below and our website: http://soils.ifas.ufl.edu.

Applicants who should complete the SSAR:

• Attended a high school regionally accredited in the United States for at least three years.
• Attended a DODEA (Department of Defense Education Activity) school.

Applicants who should not complete the SSAR:

• Attended a secondary school located outside the United States for more than one semester.
• Studied a curriculum that did not follow the standard U.S. system.

Required: At least three full years of your most recent secondary school transcripts, including courses in progress (grades 9, 10 and 11 + senior schedule) in both the native language of instruction and a word for word certified English translation (if applicable). Unofficial transcripts are accepted electronically via the status Check Status page for the review process, while official transcripts and translations are required upon enrollment.

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate English proficiency. English proficiency examination results, such as TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test, are encouraged for non-native English speakers, but are not required for freshman admission. SAT or ACT results are required for all freshman applicants.

Start by exploring our more than 250 degree programs to determine the application requirements and if additional items, such as transcripts, portfolios or recommendation letters, are needed in your application. Application deadlines also vary by department, so be sure to apply before the deadline.

Pursuant to Florida Statute, your application requires inclusion of all post-high school education and employment, as well as information about ongoing international affiliations and research funding. Ensure this information is included on your curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé that is uploaded within your graduate application.

If the program of interest requires recommendation letters, these should be submitted electronically through the admissions application. You must request these recommendations prior to submitting your application. You cannot add or delete recommendations once your application has been submitted. If your recommendation is supplied by paper or PDF, check with your academic program to inquire if this will be accepted.

You can check the receipt of materials by the Office of Admissions on the Check Status page. This page will only reflect information concerning materials forwarded directly to the Office of Admissions and does not include materials that are required to be sent directly to your academic unit.

Approximately 24-48 hours after submitting your online application, your 8-digit UF Identification Number (UFID) will be available on the status of your application. Use the same username and password used to submit your CollegeNET application.

Your UFID is unique to you and should be used in all email communication and any subsequent applications submitted. If you do not use your UFID in communications and submissions, it is difficult for us to match your test scores, transcripts, and financial aid information to your academic record.