Masters degrees in Soil explore topics such as agronomy (soil science and management) and related areas such as conservation, ecology and agriculture. These courses may be laboratory based, but some also include opportunities for fieldwork.
Popular specialisms include Soil Sustainability and Soil Mechanics. Entry requirements normally include an undergraduate degree in a related subject, such as Soil science, Chemistry, or Geology. Work experience is necessary for some courses.
If you are interested in earth science, and environmental science but you want to specialise in the study of soil specifically the Aberdeen programme gives you in depth knowledge and a range of experts and alumni who consult at government level. Aberdeen is further supported by having the James Hutton Institute within the city limits, a notable institute specialising in soil science over the years known formerly the Macaulay Institute.
Soil Science is becoming increasingly important to our ability to sustain life on earth as we look at how to keep the soil clean from pollutants in water, air and polluting industries, pesticides and all sorts of changes to soil. There are also growing concerns that as the population increases and climate change also increases how do we farm in the future? 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 learn about soil science, sustainability, land use planning, food security, GIS, and land use with intensive laboratory analysis from one of the top centres in the world for soil science. We also take you into the field to study specific situations and you are guided by our world renowned researchers in the environmental sciences. 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.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Optional
Semester 3
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
Find out about international fees:
Find out more about fees on the programme page
*Please be advised that some programmes also have additional costs.
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page and the latest postgraduate opportunities
Find out more about:
Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs
This programme aims to introduce students to the concepts of soil for the 21st century and is suitable for students wishing to pursue a career in land-based management or environmental protection.
Soils underpin the sustainability of terrestrial ecosystems and are key to food production. Soils form the basis of all agricultural production, but they also store water, mediate the impact of pollutants, provide biological habitats, have an impact on the accumulation of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, are involved in dealing with society’s waste, are a source of extractable minerals and provide the foundations for the housing and roads on which society depends.
You will learn about soil function and management, and soil classification, assessment and analysis, with a strong emphasis on practical skills. You will gain expertise in the relationship between soil and sustainable approaches to land resource use.
This programme is run in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).
This programme involves two semesters of compulsory and option taught courses followed by a period of individual dissertation project work.
Compulsory courses typically will be:
Option courses:
In consultation with the Programme Director, you will choose from a range of optional courses^. We particularly recommend:
Courses are subject to timetabling and availability and are subject to change.
Field trip
An integral, week-long study tour lets you refresh skills learned on the programme and develop new tools and techniques, useful during the dissertation process. The tour has historically been held in Mende, France. In addition to the formal taught component, students had the opportunity to go rafting and visit the Aven Armand caves.
There may also be a short tour during induction week, to give students a chance to get to know each other.
Students will:
A recent report by the British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) identified soil science as an area in which there are critical skills shortages, meaning graduates will be in high demand.
Soil scientists are employed in a broad range of vocations including environmental consultancy, research, overseas development, environmental impact assessment and analysis, site reclamation and remediation, and conservation as well as advising on government policy, archaeological excavations and laboratory analyses, forensics, and landscape design.
Would you like to know what it’s really like to study at the School of GeoSciences?
Visit our student experience blog where you can find articles, advice, videos and ask current students your questions.
These courses explore the properties of soils and soft rocks in relation to civil engineering, the theory of geomechanics and practical geotechnical engineering.
All our MSc courses are career-oriented and cover both theoretical background and practical design considerations. Lectures are given mainly by full-time staff but important contributions are made by visiting professors and guest lecturers who are eminent industrialists.
Many of our students continue their studies to undertake research towards a PhD.
The MSc in Soil Mechanics and Engineering Seismology is concerned with the solution of engineering problems connected with the study of seismic ground movements, their effect on foundations and building materials and engineering structures. Course-specific modules are as follows:
The MSc in Soil Mechanics and Environmental Geotechnics meets the growing need for advanced specialist geo-environmental education, including a grounding in the relevant topics in chemistry and biology. Course-specific modules are as follows:
This MSc course offers the add-on module of business management, which comprises 120 hours of study as an alternative to the corresponding amount of engineering study.
This four-unit module equips you with the skills needed to work in competitive business environments in the civil engineering industry. It is suitable for those who wish to combine a technical competence in their chosen field with a grasp of the principles of business management, and is designed to complement core material in the MSc courses.
For full information on this course, including how to apply, see: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/civil-engineering/soil-mechanics/
If you have any enquiries you can contact our team at: [email protected]
The ReNu2Farm project will explore the demand for nutrients and organic matter, at farm and regional levels, with the aim to make a map of regions in North West Europe with their specific nutrient and organic matter needs and propose alternatives to conventional fertilisers derived from recycling.
The project is a large European collaborative effort and involves multiple research partners from academia and industry from Belgium (2), France (1), Germany (2), Ireland (3), Luxembourg (1) and the Netherlands (1). The project is funded by the Interreg NWE (North-West Europe) programme, part of the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund).
The microbiota (bacteria and fungi) will be analysed using total DNA extraction, library construction, next generation DNA sequencing, bioinformatic and statistical analysis.
This position will provide the opportunity to the successful candidate to complete a Level 9 Master Degree by research, specialising in the environmental field, and most specifically on the ecological impact assessment of recycling derived fertilisers.
• A literature review will be completed by both students as soon as they start to bring them to the state of the art in this area.
• The students will work closely with two Irish partners (Teagasc, University of Limerick) to investigate the impact of fertilisers derived from recycling approaches on the microbiota (nematodes, fungi and bacteria) of Irish grass land soil.
• The successful candidates will have the opportunity to interact in a multidisciplinary European wide research project with important environmental application for sustainable agriculture, with relevant stakeholders in Ireland and in project partner countries.
• The project will involve traveling to trial sites, taking samples of soil and plant material, extracting nematodes, identifying them morphologically, extracting DNA and RNA, purification and quantification of DNA/RNA, sending nucleic acid samples for sequencing analysis, curating and analysing sequencing data and preparing data for publication, both in highly specialised scientific journals, but also in popular science media and project technical reports as required.
• The projects will involve travelling to meetings and conferences as required.
The successful candidates are expected to take up the postgraduate positions no later than September 2018.
Note: Postgraduate fees will be covered and a student stipend will be paid monthly for the duration of the project to each successful applicant.
Please apply to: Dr Thomaé Kakouli-Duarte ([email protected]) on or before 4th June 2018
Ecology is an important discipline to inform many different environmental management issues which often involve wider impacts being assessed for planning and other purposes. There is an increasing desire to utilise sites which are environmentally sensitive and this puts pressure on ecology and habitat survival. There are many other types of environmental impacts which are often hidden but also affect Ecology such as the many different pollutants which are often highlighted monthly. Species decline is becoming a well known issue globally and the ability to maintain and continue species and grow is important in a declining environment.
The programme comes from a very strong department which has been ranked consistently at number 1 in soil science and soil ecology in the UK (REF 2014). The Master's in Ecology has very solid foundations as it has been taught to generations for over 50 years and with this comes considerable knowledge and experience. With this programme you get a chance to influence how we utilise our environment and manage it to the best ability to preserve our ecology.
Our MSc programme provides flexibility to enable you to gain knowledge and skills to meet your career aspirations, whether in research or as a practicing ecologist. The programme runs through a full year, starting with a field course and culminating in a major research project. You will have the opportunity to gain hands on experience of everything from field survey to chairing discussions, from statistics and modelling to report writing and from identifying important ecological questions to researching them and writing a scientific paper. Previous graduates have gone on to the top of their chosen profession in research, consultancy, conservation, policy, education and advocacy.
Semester 1
Optional Courses
Semester 2
Compulsory
Optional
Semester 3
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
Find out about international fees:
Find out more about fees on the programme page
*Please be advised that some programmes also have additional costs.
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page and the latest postgraduate opportunities
Find out more about:
Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs
The M.S. degree in Sustainable Agriculture aims to provide advanced knowledge in the field of agricultural systems as well as skills to develop and manage sustainable production systems.
The context of the topics is international, having as its main area of investigation warm-temperate environments at a global level. The graduate in Sustainable agriculture must work to achieve food security objectives associated with improving the quality and wholesomeness of food products. The graduate must know the issues related to biodiversity, global change and ecosystem services, which are analyzed according to a systemic and adaptive approach, considering also the traceability of processes.
To address the global challenges, students are equipped with a wide learning platform, and are able to make comparisons between different production systems at the international level in terms of environmental, socio-economics, and regulatory environments.
With the aim of strengthening this global approach to sustainability and food security, the degree program has been included in an internationalization project in collaboration with the University of Georgia, USA, which enables students to achieve a dual degree in "Sustainable Agriculture" (Italy) and "Crop and Soil Science" (USA).
The course is intended for highly-motivated national and international students and is conceived for Bachelor graduates with a main interest in agricultural and environmental sciences.
The graduate in Sustainable Agriculture is able to perform a wide range of activities in a professional and efficient manner:
1) Operate internationally by conducting activities of planning, management, monitoring, coordination and training in agricultural production processes to meet the needs of the international market;
2) Be involved in activities of experimentation and research in both the public and private sectors (eg. Biotechnology companies);
3) Fill a position or interact with international organizations such as FAO, EU and World Bank;
4) Be involved in the transfer of technologies (innovation broker);
5) Manage technical and international business related to agricultural products and processing, and related to agricultural mechanization;
6) Play an active role in private and public structures aimed at land management and the management of water resources, including historical, cultural and landscape values of agricultural land;
7) Collaborate in the establishment and operation of projects in basic and applied research in the field of agricultural production in the international arena.
The training course in Sustainable Agriculture, lasting two years, includes two main areas of study:
1) Production: training in the areas of agronomy, crop and animal productions, soil science, plant breeding, and integrated management of pests and diseases, all aimed at the sustainability of the production process and its social implications;
2) Technology: training in the areas of management and protection of air-soil-water, use of biomass of agricultural plants and animals, land management, and management of the production process (at different geographic scales) considering both innovative technologies and socio-economic aspects.
Learning is based on active studies covering activities in the classroom, in the laboratory and in the field as well as the possibility of using the contribution of Italian and foreign teachers, and industry experts that can provide specific case studies. The program offers intensive individual tutoring of students, as well as the opportunity to intern for six months, in companies in the public and private sectors, possibly abroad, for the study of cases of excellence in preparation of the thesis
Visit the MSc “Sustainable agriculture” page on the Università di Padova web-site http://www.unipd.it/en/educational-offer/second-cycle-degrees/school-of-agricultural-sciences-and-veterinary-medicine?ordinamento=2016&key=AV2293 for more details.
The University of Padova, the Veneto Region and other organisations offer various scholarship schemes to support students. Below is a list of the funding opportunities that are most often used by international students in Padova.
You can find more information below and on our website here: http://www.unipd.it/en/studying-padova/funding-and-fees/scholarships
You can find more information on fee waivers here: http://www.unipd.it/en/fee-waivers
This Sustainable and Efficient Food Production postgraduate course centres on increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impact within the extensive pasture-based production sector. The programme provides flexible, accessible, postgraduate level training for people employed in the agri-food sector. Training comprises distance learning modules and work-based research projects. These are accessible as CPD or as credit-bearing units, which can be built towards a range of postgraduate qualifications.
Taught by experts at both Aberystwyth University (AU) and Bangor University (BU), the Sustainable and Efficient Food Production course offers you a highly vocational option. In the most recent joint submission to the Research Excellence Framework assessment (2014), the department was placed in the top 10 universities in the UK for research intensity and 78% of our research was world-leading or internationally excellent.
To achieve an MSc students must complete five optional modules (including up to three from BU) plus Research Methods and a Dissertation.
Two to five years to complete a full MSc. 14 weeks for one module by distance learning Three intakes per year (January, May, September). Students will be eligible for a UK Student Loan if the course is completed in 3 years.
Core modules:
Dissertation
Optional modules - Choose any 5 from:
We have designed our training to be as accessible as possible, particularly for those in full time employment. Each topic comprises a 12-14 week distance learning module worth 20 credits which can be taken for your own continuing professional development or interest; or built towards a postgraduate qualification. The research elements of our qualifications are carried out in your work place with regular academic supervision. The training is web-based which means that as long as you have access to a reasonable broadband connection (i.e. are able to stream videos such as on YouTube), you can study where and when best suits you. Learning material includes podcast lectures, e-group projects, guided reading, interactive workbooks and discussion forums, as well as assignments and e-tutorials. By signing a re-registration form each year you will have access to e-journals and library resources for the full five years.
There are no exams within this programme. Taught modules are assessed via course work and forum discussion.
This scheme aims to facilitate knowledge exchange between academia and industry. Students must complete three taught modules including research methods and a 120 credit work-based dissertation / research thesis (approximately 20,000 words in length).
While the primary academic focus is on the completion of an advanced piece of research, the collaborative route provided by a work-based research project provides an ideal opportunity to embed new knowledge in the work place and ensure that research is relevant to industry. As such, it is crucial that a student’s employer is supportive of both their research aims and the time commitment that the proposed research will involve. Self-employed students should aim to undertake research which will be closely aligned to their business.
Students may build on the MRes to work towards a Professional Doctorate.
An MRes can be completed in 2-5 years but we would expect most students to spend 1 year on their taught modules and 2 years on their work based dissertation. 12 or 14 weeks for one module by distance learning. Three intakes per year (January, May, September).
Students will be eligible for a UK Student loan if their course is completed within 3 years.
Core modules:
MRes Research Project
Optional modules:
The MRes comprises three taught modules (including Research Methodologies and Advances in Bioscience) followed by a 120 credit work-based dissertation (20,000 words).
We have designed our training to be as accessible as possible, particularly for those in full time employment. Each taught module comprises a 12 or 14 week distance learning module worth 20 credits which can be taken for your own continuing professional development or interest; or built towards a postgraduate qualification. The research elements of our qualifications are carried out in your work place with regular academic supervision. The training is web-based which means that as long as you have access to a reasonable broadband connection (i.e. are able to stream videos such as on YouTube), you can study where and when best suits you. Learning material includes podcast lectures, e-group projects, guided reading, interactive workbooks and discussion forums, as well as assignments and e-tutorials. By signing a re-registration form each year you will have access to e-journals and library resources for the duration of your registration.
There are no exams within this programme. Taught modules are assessed via course work and forum discussion. Research is monitored and assessed.
The ReNu2Farm project will explore the demand for nutrients and organic matter, at farm and regional levels, with the aim to make a map of regions in North West Europe with their specific nutrient and organic matter needs and propose alternatives to conventional fertilisers derived from recycling.
The project is a large European collaborative effort and involves multiple research partners from academia and industry from Belgium (2), France (1), Germany (2), Ireland (3), Luxembourg (1) and the Netherlands (1). The project is funded by the Interreg NWE (North-West Europe) programme, part of the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund).
Nematode analyses will be done mostly using morphological approaches via microscopy based on appropriate keys. In addition, where necessary, molecular techniques will also be utilised to PCR amplify and sequence the 18S rDNA of certain nematode taxa. Data analysis by statistics and bioinformatics will also be carried out and various ecological indices will be calculated to assess the ecological impact of the novel fertilisers to the environment.
This position will provide the opportunity to the successful candidate to complete a Level 9 Master Degree by research, specialising in the environmental field, and most specifically on the ecological impact assessment of recycling derived fertilisers.
• A literature review will be completed by both students as soon as they start to bring them to the state of the art in this area.
• The students will work closely with two Irish partners (Teagasc, University of Limerick) to investigate the impact of fertilisers derived from recycling approaches on the microbiota (nematodes, fungi and bacteria) of Irish grass land soil.
• The successful candidates will have the opportunity to interact in a multidisciplinary European wide research project with important environmental application for sustainable agriculture, with relevant stakeholders in Ireland and in project partner countries.
• The project will involve traveling to trial sites, taking samples of soil and plant material, extracting nematodes, identifying them morphologically, extracting DNA and RNA, purification and quantification of DNA/RNA, sending nucleic acid samples for sequencing analysis, curating and analysing sequencing data and preparing data for publication, both in highly specialised scientific journals, but also in popular science media and project technical reports as required.
• The projects will involve travelling to meetings and conferences as required.
The successful candidates are expected to take up the postgraduate positions no later than September 2018.
Note: Postgraduate fees will be covered and a student stipend will be paid monthly for the duration of the project to each successful applicant.
Please apply to: Dr Thomaé Kakouli-Duarte ([email protected]) on or before 4th June 2018
