Soil Science MSc or MRes

Soil science offers you a range of relevant courses within the environmental sciences to give you a depth of knowledge and understanding to study for either an MSc or MRes. This is one of only a handful of Soil Science programmes with cutting edge technologies to help you analyse and study soil in depth. Soil science falls within agricultural sciences which were ranked No. 1 in the UK for research excellence (REF 2014) and the highly acclaimed Environmental Science disciplines which Aberdeen has made a name for itself in over the years.

Soil science experts are now becoming crucial experts to inform us about how we manage our soils and future food supplies in relation to pollution, climate change, extreme weather events and more. Aberdeen provides a full suite of environmental sciences at postgraduate level and Aberdeen is where the James Hutton Institute (Macaulay Land Use Research Institute to 2011) is located. This institute has been researching and advancing our understanding of soils and environment for decades..

Soil Science is becoming increasingly important to our ability to sustain life on earth and management of soil to keep it free from pollutants in water, air, polluting industries, pesticides and all sorts of issues to individual level which change our ability to live from the earths resources. As population increases and climate change presents new challenges and opportunities we need to further research and apply knowledge to influence how we learn from our environment. The degree gives you all the skills and knowledge you need to work as a soil scientist either as a researcher, within government or regulation or as a consultant working with industry and other organisations devoted to soil science. You can choose an analytical route to apply your skills at advanced level or you can go down a research route to allow you to research something important and perhaps continue this learning and research towards PhD.

You get a depth to your discipline to enable you to take away analysis ability, catchment management and habitat, the highly sought after Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which is used across many environmental professional areas to determine risks, an understanding about global issues and challenges of soil in different parts of the world, how an ecosystem works interdependently, pollutants and how to remediate and essential toolkit of environmental science understanding to put it all into context.

Courses listed for the programme

MSc Soil Science

Semester 1

• Core Skills in Environmental Science
• Global Soil Geography
• Soils for Food Security

Optional

• Ecosystem Processes
• Environmental Pollution

Semester 2

• Application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Land Use and the Changing Environment
• Environmental Analysis
• Catchment Management

Optional

• Environmental Impact Assessment

Semester 3

• Project in Soil Science

MRes Soil Science

Semester 1

• Core Skills in Environmental Science
• Global Soil Geography
• Soils for Food Security

Optional

• Ecosystems Processes
• Environmental Pollution

Semester 2

• Land Use and the Changing Environment
• Soil Science Research and Investigation

Optional

• Application of Geographic Information Systems
• Catchment Management
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Environmental Analysis

Semester 3

• Project in Soil Science

Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page

Visit Us – Aberdeen, Online In Your Country

Why study at Aberdeen?

• Research at Aberdeen within agricultural and earth sciences is ranked No.1 (REF)
• You study all methods of analysis and field work to understand the full range of issues within soil and land use which affect the ability to grow crops
• One of our team developed the award winning 'Cool Farm Tool. Dr John Hillier developed this to calculate greenhouse gas. The tool is used by known brands such as Marks and Spencer, Costco and Heinz
• Aberdeen is known for its Soil Science as the James Hutton Institute is also located within the city

Where you study

• University of Aberdeen
• 12 Months or 24 Months
• MSc or MRes
• Full Time or Part Time
• September start

International Student Fees

Find out about international fees:

• International
• EU and Scotland
• Other UK

Find out more about fees on the programme page

*Please be advised that some programmes also have additional costs.

Scholarships

• The University of Aberdeen funding database
• Latest postgraduate opportunities
• Your programme page

Fees

• View fees on the programme page

Entry Requirements and Study Support

• English Language Requirements – view the programme page
• Pre-Sessional English Language Support
• Access Courses – English and Maths
• Free Online Courses
• Short Courses

Living in Aberdeen

Find out more about:

Your Accommodation

• Catered Accommodation
• Self-Catering     

Campus Facilities

• University of Aberdeen: A Global Community
• University of Aberdeen: We are international
• Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
• Student Support
• Clubs and Societies
• Sport
• Societies
• Review

Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs

Similar programmes:

• MSc Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology
• MSc Ecology and Conservation
• MSc Environmental Management
• MSc Environmental Pollution and Remediation
• MSc Environmental Science
• MSc Environmental and Ecological Sciences
• MSc Environmental and Forest Management
• MSc Marine Conservation
• Other Postgraduate Degrees
• Online Postgraduate Degrees

Visit the Soil Science MSc or MRes page on the Aberdeen University website for more details!