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About The Program
MS in Soil & Water Science, Environmental Science track
Time to degree ranges from two to four years.
Starting dates are Spring semester (January) and Fall semester (August).
30 credits - Thesis
30 credits - Professional/non-thesis (major paper required)
A limited number of UF graduate credits with grades of B or better taken as a non-degree or post-baccalaureate may be transferred into the program to meet degree requirements upon approval.
*UF no longer maintains a required minimum score on the GRE; applications are considered holistically with equal emphasis placed upon all parts.
Prerequisites
Students wishing to enroll in this graduate track should have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in soil and water science or an equivalent degree in an allied field such as geology, natural resources, biology, ecology, hydrology, microbiology, environmental science, horticultural science, environmental engineering, agricultural engineering or agronomy. If your bachelor's degree is not in soil and water science or you don't have an equivalent degree in an allied field, you will generally have to complete pre-requisite courses at a local institution before applying for admission to the program. Admission criteria include a "B" (3.0) grade point average or better for the last two years of the baccalaureate program, and satisfactory scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE).* High speed internet access is mandatory.
Courses include:
- SWS 3022 Introduction to Soils in The Environment
- SWS 4116 Environmental Nutrient Management
- SWS 4180 Earth System Analysis
- SWS 4207 Sustainable Agricultural & Urban Land Management
- SWS 4303C Soil Microbial Ecology Video Intro
- SWS 4720C GIS in Soil and Water Science
- SWS 4932 Forest and Soil Ecosystem Services
- SWS 4932 Math For Soil Scientists
- SWS 4932 Wetland and Watersheds Seminar
- ALS 5155 Global Agroecosystems
- SWS 5050 Soils for Environmental Professionals
- SWS 5115 Environmental Nutrient Management
- SWS 5182 Earth System Analysis
- SWS 5208 Sustainable Agricultural & Urban Land Management
- SWS 5305C Soil Microbial Ecology
- SWS 5605C Environmental Soil Physics
- SWS 5721C GIS in Land and Resource Management
- SWS 6134 Soil Quality
- SWS 6262 Soil Contamination and Remediation
- SWS 6448 Biogeochemistry of Wetlands and Aquatic Systems
Want to improve your English level for admission?
Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.
- ✔️ Flexible study schedule
- ✔️ Experienced teachers
- ✔️ Certificate upon completion
📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.
Students at the University of Florida are eligible to apply for a range of grants, scholarships, fellowships and awards through the Soil and Water Science Department, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the University in general, and external sources. Current students, while typically funded by research assistantships, are encouraged to apply for additional award or scholarship programs to help supplement their research programs and/or secure travel funds for presentations across the nation and worldwide.
Funding for Current Students
- International Erosion Control Association
- College of Agricultural and Life Science Awards
- Graduate School Financial Aid Bulletin Board
- National Science Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
- UF Foundation Scholarships & Fellowships (CALS)
- UFIC Scholarship Resources
- Student Financial Affairs Scholarship Search Engine
- Student Financial Affairs Aid Programs
- Student Loans
- SWSD Departmental Awards/Scholarships [356KB PDF]
- SWSD Quantitative Environmental Soil Science - Pedometrics [192KB PDF]
- Funding for Prospective Students
Each Fall, several matching assistantships, two Grinter Awards of $2,000, and two Alumni Graduate Awards of $22,000 (over four years) are awarded to outstanding new students in Soil and Water Science. Additional or alternative funding may be available contingent upon faculty members' individual research programs. Application to the graduate program automatically qualifies you for funding consideration, provided you have included the Application for Assistantship with your application documents. Distance education students are not typically supported by departmental or faculty funding, though you may submit the Application for Assistantship if you would like to compete for financial support.
Please direct any questions regarding application to award programs to the appropriate contact listed on the individual award or scholarship application.
Accreditation
The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and thus all UF degree programs carry this accreditation (and are held to very high peer-review and administrative/bureaucratic approval processes during the development of courses and programs).
The University of Floridas Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences, and enhancing and sustaining the quality of human life by making that information accessible. While extending into every community of the state, UF/IFAS has developed an international reputation for its accomplishments in teaching, research and extension. Because of this mission and the diversity of Floridas climate and agricultural commodities, IFAS has facilities located throughout Florida.
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