About Soil & Waste Resources
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General Overview |
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Graduate Studies |
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Facilities |
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Soil & Waste Resources |
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Internships |
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Waste Management |
Graduates are usually employed by county, state or federal agencies, or the private sector. Placement in full-time entry level positions are near 100% in the field of their choice. Some graduates pursue masters degrees or higher. Work titles include soil conservationists (watershed, county, state, federal), certified soil scientists and other consultants (private, county, state, federal), agronomist/integrated crop manager/nutrient and pest management consultant (private, county, state, federal), and waste manager (water treatment plants, landfill operators/managers, land application companies).
Specialized facilities available to Soil Science and Waste Management students include:The waste and wastewater laboratory which gives students experience in managing solid waste, composting organic waste materials, and running and operating a simulated waste water facility. Field trips to cooperating landowners that allow students to experience 6 of the 11 soil orders of the world within 30 minutes of the campus. Laboratories for physically, chemically, biologically, and geologically testing soils and other materials like wastes and plants. Computer laboratories to utilize simulation models and other software to exhibit the current condition and predict responses to management alternatives. Environmental Field stations to experience the interaction of the natural resources soil, water, forestry, wildlife, and climate.
Soil Science majors are encouraged to experience an internship in their area of interest. Waste management majors are required to have an internship. Internship experiences compliment the classroom and laboratory coursework by providing real world application of theories and concepts. These positions also provide important contacts and references for careers with private enterprises and state and federal agencies.
The College of Natural Resources offers a Masters of Science in Natural Resources which include emphases in soil science or waste management. The soil and waste resources major is especially strong in preparing students for study at the M.S. and Ph.D. level.
The Soil and Waste Resources major has a Soil Science option and a Waste Management option. Both have a common core of soils, waste, forestry, water, wildlife, natural resources, chemistry, biology, physics, and geology and mathematics. Soils is a renewable resource if we humans recycle the organic waste stream back to the land from which it came. The waste management aspect allows us to analyze the degree to which we recycle safely and sustainability.
This curriculum includes all aspects of water and waste treatment. Industrial and municipal waste water treatment and solid waste management are the main thrusts for this option. The student chooses between an emphasis in technical management versus business management.