Building the foundation for the world's largest industry
As a student in crop and soil sciences, you’ll apply the basic sciences — such as biology, chemistry, physics, geology and microbiology — to better understand the natural foundation upon which our entire industry is built. Graduates of these degree programs protect our natural environment while producing the food, fiber and resources that improve life for billions every single day.
Undergraduate programs
In the production major option, you’ll study food, feed, fiber, oil, forage and bioenergy crop production. Graduates work in fields such as crop production, seed production, farm management and land-use consulting. The coursework will prepare you for career with public agencies, such as cooperative extension systems or the USDA, or agri-life companies and farm-advisory agencies, such as soil-testing laboratories and other private organizations.
The science track will provide you with a scientific base that includes courses in soil morphology, chemistry and microbiology. Graduates of this program are successful in fields such as agricultural climatology, weed science, chemical research and development and soil qualitiy research. The science track option is usually chosen by students who intend to pursue graduate degrees in any branch of the life sciences.
The study of soil, water, and related natural resources are the foundation for land use planning and management in both rural and urban settings. Our soil, water and land use track provides the academic background for pursuing a career in soil science. This track option will prepare you for a career in the consulting industry, state and federal regulatory agencies or research.
Our popular turfgrass management track focuses on turfgrass production and maintenance for golf courses, sports fields, stadiums, home lawns and business turf. This academically rigorous track will also prepare you for graduate school or for a career as an agricultural extension specialist, sales professional or technical industry scientist.
Graduate programs
The Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences offers three graduate degrees as well as a graduate certificate in crop and soil sciences. The M.Ag. and M.S. degrees are also offered online through our college’s distance online program.
Graduate training in this department enables outstanding students to achieve a high level of scholarly attainment in the soil, crop and environmental sciences. Within these broad areas, research training and experience may be gained in the specialized fields of soil fertility and plant nutrition; soil chemistry; soil genesis, morphology and classification; soil mineralogy; soil physics; soil microbiology; plant breeding and genetics; weed science; forage, fiber, bioenergy and grain crop production; crop ecology; environmental quality; and turfgrass management.
The graduate certificate in crop and soil sciences is for students who hold a bachelor’s degree but do not necessarily wish to complete a full master’s degree. It’s perfect for students who need coursework for continuing education or test prerequisites.
A graduate certificate in crop and soil sciences improves preparedness for careers in both the public and private sectors.
Curriculum and requirements
The certificate can be obtained by taking 15-hours of on-campus or online coursework in the areas of crop, soil, and environmental sciences. This program is highly flexible and allows students to tailor their studies to meet their own academic, career and research goals.
The Master of Agriculture in crop, soil and environmental sciences places greater emphasis on knowledge obtained in the classroom versus that gathered in research. It is offered as a non-thesis degree and prepares students for careers in secondary education, cooperative extension, agribusiness and related professions.
Learning outcomes
Students graduating from the Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Master of Agriculture program will be able to:
- Explain and discuss fundamental principles in one of the following areas: plant breeding and genetics, weed science, crop production and management, forage production and utilization, turfgrass management, soil physics, soil chemistry, soil microbiology, soil classification and genesis, soil erosion and conservation, soil fertility and nutrient management, or water science.
- Review and synthesize scientific literature to objectively and critically understand the state of knowledge about their particular field.
- Articulate the subject matter of their specialization effectively through oral communication.
- Articulate the subject matter of their specialization effectively through written communication.
Curriculum and requirements
The M.Ag. in crop, soil and environmental sciences, earned under the non-thesis option, places more emphasis on classroom training over a broader range of subject matters. The M.Ag. requires at least two additional graded courses that replace thesis research hours. An oral defense of course subject matter is required and students must register for GRAD 7000 during the semester the exam is taken. M.Ag. students must write a professional paper as part of a special problems course and present an exit seminar on this paper.
The Master of Science in crop, soil and environmental sciences places emphasis on both knowledge gained through classroom training and through research. It prepares candidates for careers in the public and private sector in a wide variety of related fields.
Learning outcomes
Students graduating from the Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Master of Science program will be able to:
- Explain and discuss fundamental principles in one of the following areas: plant breeding and genetics, weed science, crop production and management, forage production and utilization, turfgrass management, soil physics, soil chemistry, soil microbiology, soil classification and genesis, soil erosion and conservation, soil fertility and nutrient management, or water science.
- Review and synthesize scientific literature to objectively and critically understand the state of knowledge about their particular field.
- Select and perform appropriate methods necessary to answer a research question.
- Analyze and interpret data objectively and draw appropriate evidence-based conclusions.
- Articulate the subject matter of their specialization effectively through oral communication.
- Articulate the subject matter of their specialization effectively through written communication.
Curriculum and requirements
The M.S. in crop, soil and environmental sciences can be earned only under the thesis option where importance is placed on both classroom and research training. The M.S. requires a minimum of 30 semester hours at or above the 6000 level of which 6 hours of thesis research and 2 hours of seminar are included.
The student’s advisory committee along with the student determines the course of study. In addition, the student must complete research, a written thesis and an oral defense examination of the thesis research.
The Doctor of Philosophy in crop, soil and environmental sciences is conferred in recognition of the mastery of the field of learning as shown by the satisfactory completion of a prescribed course of study and investigation, the successful passing of general examinations covering the major and minor fields, the preparation of an acceptable dissertation reflecting high achievement in scholarship and independent investigation, and the passing of a final examination on the dissertation and related subjects.
Learning outcomes
Students graduating from the Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Ph.D. program will be able to:
- Explain and discuss in-depth fundamental principles in one of the following: plant breeding and genetics, weed science, crop production and management, forage production and utilization, turfgrass management, soil physics, soil chemistry, soil microbiology, soil classification and genesis, soil erosion and conservation, soil fertility and nutrient management, or water science.
- Review and synthesize scientific literature to objectively and critically understand the state of knowledge about their particular field.
- Formulate research questions and testable hypotheses.
- Design and implement experiments to answer a research question.
- Analyze and interpret data objectively and draw appropriate evidence-based conclusions.
- Articulate the subject matter of their specialization effectively through oral communication.
- Articulate the subject matter of their specialization effectively through written communication.
Curriculum and requirements
This is a research degree. It is not conferred merely upon fulfillment of technical requirements but awarded in recognition of the ability to think and work independently, originally, and creatively in a chosen field.
Within the total 60 hours required beyond the B.S. degree, at least 18 hours must be completed at Auburn University, 30 hours must be at or above the 6000 level, and 6 hours must be at or above the 7000 level in the major area of study.
Grad school resources
- $20,000-$24,000.
- The exact amount is at the department’s discretion and is subject to change by the college and Auburn University.
- Salaries are paid in accordance with the budget policies and payroll procedures of the university.
- 90 days prior to the start of classes.
- Submission of GRE score is encouraged but not required for admission.
- Prospective graduate students should contact and identify a faculty member first.
