Ecosystem Science and Management

College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources

Soil Science MS and PhD

The graduate program in Soil Science at the University of Wyoming examines the formation, distribution, function and management of soils. Wyoming is an important producer of natural resources. Consequently, the state faces important issues associated with energy extraction, mining, wildland management and reclamation/restoration of disturbed lands. There are many interesting soil-related research questions with significant ecological and socio-economic impacts.

Many of our graduate students pursue careers with federal land management or conservation agencies, e.g., the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resources Conservation Service, state regulatory agencies, e.g., Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, mining and oil companies, environmental consulting firms, or scientific research organizations.

The following are the requirements for admission to our graduate programs. The candidate must:

1. identify a faculty member that agrees to mentor the student as their graduate advisor,

2. have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution,

3. have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, and

4. if English is not the candidate’s native language, earn a minimum TOEFL score of 540, IELTS score of 6.5, or DuoLingo score of 110.

 

Note, applications may be submitted at any time, and no GRE score is required.

Applicants are encouraged to initiate correspondence with faculty who share similar research interests as the first part of the process of securing a commitment for faculty advising. Submitted applications from prospective students that have not identified a graduate advisor willing to mentor them will not be considered.

 

In order to apply, submit the following via the University of Wyoming’s online application system (http://www.uwyo.edu/admissions/apply.html): a statement of purpose that describes the applicant’s background, interests in scientific research, and professional objectives; current academic transcripts; proof of English proficiency (if English is not your primary language); and three letters of recommendation (to be submitted directly by references through the online application). Letters should be from current or previous university instructors or professional supervisors.

 

Please see the Graduate Admissions and Graduate Student Regulations and Policies entries in the front section of the UW Catalog for more information or visit UW’s Graduate Education website at http://www.uwyo.edu/uwgrad/.

 

Degree Programs

Master's Degree

The M.S. program is geared toward teaching graduate students the tools necessary to conduct robust soil science research. The program requires a research proposal, 30 credit hours (at least 12 from Soil Science and approved by the student's graduate committee), a research-based written thesis, a final public presentation and successful oral defense of the thesis.

View Program Requirements for Degree HERE
 

Doctorate Degree

The Ph.D. program allows graduate students to conduct robust research on major questions related to Soil Science. The program requires a research proposal, 72 credit hours (at least 12 from Soil Science and approved by the student's graduate committee), both a written and oral examination given by the graduate committee, a research-based written dissertation, a final public presentation and successful oral defense of the dissertation. The 72 credit hours may include credits earned during a Master’s degree program that are approved by the student's graduate advisory committee.

View Program Requirements for Degree HERE

 

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More about Soil Science

Soil is an important natural resource that supports plants, animals, and microbes. Soil systems are complex with many interacting physical, biological, and chemical processes. Processes such as water retention and nutrient cycling play key roles in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Without soil, plants would have nowhere to root, farmers would have no crop to harvest, and every rain event would result in a flood. Soils may take a long time to form and preservation of soil resources through careful management is critically important. Nowadays, soils are seen as an integral part of natural and managed ecosystems with important linkages to the atmosphere, groundwater, and surface water.