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CASNR » Careers » Degrees at Work » Environmental and Soil Sciences


Environmental and Soil Sciences . . .

 

Photos of students in the Environmental and Soil Science program

 

What are Environmental and Soil Sciences?

Many human activities impact soil, water and environmental quality. The Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental and Soil Sciences in CASNR's Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Sciences (BESS) provides students with a strong grounding in basic sciences and technology to prepare them for careers in environmental and natural resource management. Three concentrations are available to meet the divergent needs of students: Environmental Science, Soil Science and Agricultural Systems Technology.

 

What is Environmental Science?

Environmental Science is the study of basic natural sciences as well as applied sciences, such as ecology and soil sciences. Students are exposed to societal issues related to the environment, such as policy, economics and ethics. Students develop expertise with modern technologies, such as geographical information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS) and computer applications in natural resource management. The concentration also has a strong communication component that helps students gain communication skills needed in today's workplace.

 

What co-ops and internships are available in Environmental Science?

Environmental Science students gain valuable experience through participation in a co-op or internship. Examples of activities students engage in include the following:

  • Collecting samples in the field
  • Conducting applied research
  • Sampling environmental features
  • Mapping soils
  • Constructing wetlands
  • Teaching environmental education to youth

 

What is Soil Science?

The Soil Science concentration is a rigorous, science-based program for students interested in environmental sciences. The curriculum emphasizes soils and their long-term use and productivity, as well as surface and sub-surface water resources. Students learn to evaluate soil characteristics in the field and lab, using industry-standard tests and techniques. They learn, by hands-on experience, to survey, identify, classify, and map soils, and to predict the suitability of a soil for specific uses. They are trained to understand natural resource problems and their management, including soil and water conservation issues, land-use problems, waste disposal and reclamation of disturbed lands.

 

What co-ops and internships are available in Soil Science?

Can you see yourself helping with a site reclamation project, working in a soil-testing lab or doing field measurements for the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service? Students' internship and co-op opportunities include the following:

  • Environmental or agricultural consulting firms
  • Government regulatory agencies at both the state and federal level (such as the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service)
  • Public health services
  • Environmental research laboratories
  • Agricultural producation companies
  • Teaching environmental education to youth

 

What is Agricultural Systems Technology?

The Agricultural Systems Technology concentration emphasizes the skills needed to manage the technological systems essential to modern agricultural production. It combines both physical and environmental sciences (botany, chemistry, physics, soils and crops), familiarity with the latest agricultural technologies and equipment (precision agriculture, chemical application, automation, computer-aided design, environmental instrumentation, etc.), and a solid business and management foundation, including statistics and economics.

 

What co-ops and internships are available in Agricultural Systems Technology?

Can you see yourself in charge of marketing for an equipment manufacturer, planning waste management for a municipality, helping with crop production decisions for a private consultant or analyzing natural resources for a government agency? Student's internship and co-op opportunities stem from many areas, including the following:

  • Environmental or agricultural consulting firms
  • Co-ops and agribusinesses of all sizes
  • Manufacturers of agricultural equipment
  • Raw material providers

 

Where can I get a job with this background?

Environmental and Soil Sciences graduates have an array of career opportunities, including food and fiber production, environmental compliance, research positions, agribusiness, agricultural production, automated production systems, nursery management, agricultural consulting and turf management, or employment with agricultural equipment and material suppliers. Examples of potential careers include the following:

  • Reclaiming contaminated sites to comply with environmental standards
  • Designing and monitoring landfills
  • Analyzing and protecting rural and urban water supplies
  • Agricultural or environmental consulting — helping companies or individuals increase their profitability while protecting the environment
  • Technology specialists — helping commercial producers integrate new technologies into their operations
  • Technical sales and service representatives
  • Entrepreneurs developing new products or services
  • Specialists working with non-governmental organizations with interests in agriculture, the environment or natural resources
  • Employment as a farm or ranch manager

 

What other opportunities do Environmental and Soil Sciences students have at UT?

Here are some additional reasons to consider a major in Environmental and Soil Sciences:

  • Several active student organizations with extensive activities thoughout the year. Participation in student organizations provides important professional development and hands-on experience.
  • A low student-to-professor ratio means more one-on-one time with professors for academic and career counseling, assistance with coursework or friendly conversation!
  • Training and practice in developing and delivering presentations through seminars, poster sessions, papers and attendance at professional meetings.
  • Excellent scholarship support—Enviromental and Soil Sciences students are eligible for scholarships from the University of Tennessee College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) and the Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science Department.
  • The chance to participate in the Soil Vols, our soil judging team.
  • Opportunities to work with professors doing cutting-edge research in a variety of areas, including sensor and instrumentation, soil and water management and conservation, bioprocessing and agricultural machinery.

 

 

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Contact Us. . .

Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
2506 E.J. Chapman Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37996-4531
Phone: (865) 974-7266
Fax: (865) 974-4514
Email: bess@utk.edu
Web: http://bioengr.ag.utk.edu/

The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
2621 Morgan Circle
125 Morgan Hall
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: (865) 974-7303
Fax: (865) 974-9329
Email: casnr@utk.edu