MA/MS in Soil Sciences

The Soil Science graduate program at Iowa State suits people planning careers in soil research or environmental work who see soil as a resource worth protecting. Students pursue a Master of Science or a Ph.D., and there is an online distance route as well. Training pairs demanding classes with fieldwork. Each student is guided by a major professor and by a committee that must include a member from outside the discipline. On-campus entrants need a professor's agreement before admission, whereas online students look for a supervisor during their second or third semester. Graduates are expected to understand soil components and processes, recognise key problems in basic and applied soil science, tackle practical and theoretical issues, collaborate beyond academia, write and present clearly, and act ethically.