The Crop and Soil Science department offer graduate programs, with specialization in various fields of soil science, leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Supporting course work is chosen for each student from the basic sciences and other related fields. Original research is an essential part of M.S. and Ph.D. programs. Each program is individually designed by the student and his or her graduate committee. The student chooses a major professor and representatives of the major and two minor fields of study.
Faculty research specializations in soil science include ecosystem services, forest soils, management of soil nutrients, mineral-organic matter interactions, soil archaeology, soil biogeochemistry, soil microbial ecology, sustainable cropping systems, soil geomorphology, soil genesis, and soil hydrology. Amongst research institutions worldwide, Oregon State campus lands present the most soil diversity for study of associated problems.