Soil Ecology

What is Soil Ecology?

Soil Ecology is a branch of Ecology Science, which studies the condition of soil, its development, the relationships within organisms living in soil and their affect to ecology. Soil Ecology is a rather interdisciplinary study - it includes methods and topics of geology and geography, ecology, biology, microbiology and biochemistry. Soil is considered as a living and nonliving substance, and it  easily changes due to climate and humidity. That is why one of the most important tasks of Soil Ecology is conservation and restoration of the soil - not only in agricultural needs.

Program structure

Soil Ecology is often taught as a specialization of a more basic undergraduate degree, for example, Agriculture, Ecology or Geology, but sometimes specific undergraduate study programs in Soil Ecology can be found.

The first years of education are rather basic - they are dedicated to core courses such as ecology, plant science, animal science, agriculture, geology. After first years, students choose their specialization and start working of their research project with the help of their supervisor, and that is why they undertake courses more or less related to their research project. This project should be presented as a final dissertation amongst final exams.

Sometimes undergraduate study programs in Soil Ecology also include fieldwork.

Undergraduate study program in Soil Ecology usually last four years, graduates receive a Bachelor of Science degree.

Entry requirements for Soil Ecology applicants

Entry requirements for all Ecology and Environment applicants, including applicants for Soil Ecology applicants, are rather similar. Usually universities require high grades in Natural Sciences, especially Geography. Admission for world leading universities is highly competitive, so besides high grades in Natural Sciences, applicants should have high GPA score overall. Some universities ask applicants from Russia to complete at least one year of relevant higher education and  demonstrate high GPA level and academic merit - it depends on the chosen university.

Since most of the study programs in Soil Science which can be found on our website are taught in English, language proficiency is a mandatory requirement. Those applicants whose native tongue is other from English need to prove their English proficiency with results of TOEFL, IELTS or other equivalent test - the minimum scores vary from institution to institution.