Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences

GPS

The Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences focuses on people and their environment. It deals with crop production, soil utilization, and environmental stewardship. Its professionals are concerned with helping to feed the world and protect the environment. Faculty members work to grow crucial commodities, improve water quality, develop environmentally acceptable methods for protecting crops from pests, advise municipalities on use of the land resource, maintain the greens and fairways at golf courses, and provide a host of other valuable goods and services.

Undergraduate Program - Bachelor's Degree

The Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences offers students two majors: Crop and Soils Environmental Science and Environmental Science.

Crop and Soil Environmental Science students may choose from one of five of the following emphasis options: Soil-Environmental, Agroecology, Turfgrass Management, Biotechnology and International Agriculture.

Soil-Environmental Sciences - This option is designed for students who are interested in careers that deal with the use of soil resources and with soil conservation in both agricultural and nonagricultural settings. It emphasizes soil properties, taxonomy, origins, and uses. Graduates work with private and public agencies that deal with soil and water pollution, land use, and environmental cleanup.

Agroecology - Students is agroecology concentrate on the biology and increasingly complex technology of food, feed, and fiber production. Graduates typically move into production, sales, consulting, and managerial positions.

Turfgrass Management - Using basic principles of the natural sciences and agricultural technology, turf grass management students develop skills that make them highly employable in golf course and athletic field management, lawn maintenance services, and sod production.

Biotechnology - The biotechnology option prepares graduates for opportunities to work in the exciting and rapidly expanding areas of genetic engineering and molecular biology.

International Agriculture - Students in the international agricultural option discover ways to bring population, food production, and resource conservation into balance, especially in developing regions. Employment opportunities with private and public agencies are increasing.

Environmental Science students may choose from one of four options:

Aquatic Resources - Students learn about one of the world's key ecosystems resources, fresh water, which is already dangerously depleted or degraded in many places. This area concentrates on water quality and quantity for drinking, irrigation, recreation, and industry. Employers include agencies involved in protecting water resources and industries that help keep water resources safe.

Land Resources - Students gain an understanding of intelligent use of landscapes. They learn to understand the land's capacity to support human activities like agriculture, development, and waste disposal while maintaining natural ecosystems. Employment opportunities include the federal government, private foundations, and local planning commissions.

Plant Resources - Studies focus on the many uses of plants to reduce environmental degradation. These include establishing wetlands, revegetating drastically disturbed areas, and using plants to clean up polluted soils. Employers include companies involved in environmental clean up and land restoration.

Waste Management - Students gain knowledge on how to deal with or prevent the mountains of garbage, manure, biosolids, and other wastes that society generates. Waste reduction, recycling, and paper utilization are all important issues in waste management. Opportunities in this field are strong. Many governmental and private agencies are working to help solve waste-related problems.

Contact Information:

Steve Hodges, Department Head
330 Smyth Hall (0404)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
(540) 231-6305
Fax: (540) 231- 3431
cses@vt.edu

The Department of Crop and Environmental Sciences