The overall program is divided into three categories: Foundation course (3 credits), Supporting Science courses (15 credits), and Soil Science courses (13 credits). For courses to qualify as a supporting science course, they must be from the biological, physical, or earth sciences. For a course to qualify as a soil science course, the course must apply principles and concepts of soil science to solve problems within an agricultural, environmental, and/or ecological framework. Overall, nine credits must be unique to the certificate.
Foundation (3 credits)
Agron 182 (Introduction to Soil Science) 3 cr.
Supporting Biological, Physical, or Earth Sciences (15 credits)
Preapproved list from the following designators: ABE, AGRON, A ECL, BIOL, CHEM, CE, CRP, ENSCI, ENT, FOR, GEOL, HORT, LA, MTEOR, MICRO, NREM, PHYS (courses accepted for this requirement are wide-ranging; for a current list, please contact the Soil Science Certificate adviser).
Soil Science
(Total of 13 credits with at least 2 credits from each of the categories below and 9 credits of which at the 300-level or above)
Soil Physical Properties or Soil Water Relationships:
| Agron 282 (Soil Conservation and Land Use) | 3 cr. |
| Agron 360 (Environmental Soil Science) | 3 cr. |
| Agron 405 (Environmental Biophysics) | 3 cr. |
| Agron 477 (Soil Physics) | 3 cr. |
| ABE 431 (Design and Evaluation of Soil and Water Conservation Sys.) | 3 cr. |
| TSM 324 (Soil and Water Conservation Management) | 3 cr. |
Soil Chemistry:
| Agron 259 (Organic Compounds in Plants and Soils) | 3 cr. |
| Agron 459 (Environmental Soil and Water Chemistry) | 4 cr. |
Soil Biology:
| Agron 354 (Soils and Plant Growth) | 3 cr. |
| Agron 354L (Soils and Plant Growth Lab) | 1 cr. |
| Agron 485 (Soil and Environmental Microbiology) | 3 cr. |
Soil Morphology and Geography:
| Agron 270 (Geospatial Technologies) | 3 cr. |
| Agron 370 (Field Experience in Soil Description and Interpretation) | 1 cr. |
| Agron 463 (Soil Formation and Landscape Relationships) | 3 cr. |
| Agron 463L (Soil Formation and Landscape Relationships Lab) | 1 cr. |