Soil and water security are major human existential challenges to the planet and more so in Australia, being the driest continent with highly weathered soils. The Soil Science and Hydrology major provides students with training in three key areas: soil, water and climate, and their links with functional, resilient and productive ecosystems. Soil, water and climate define the physical constraints to ecosystems, and the interpretation of these along with their costs and benefits supports the development of policy and sustainable management strategies. This knowledge will help secure our soil and water resources to maintain healthy, functional and productive ecosystems. We will explore the complex interaction between soil, water and climate, and the way we manage our landscapes. Ecosystems are considered across paddock to catchment scales and include all sectors from agriculture to forestry to mining to nature reserves.
This major has a strong emphasis on field-based learning through field schools and emphasis on field measurement and modelling through analysis of non-spatial and spatial data. Working with case studies and projects, you will identify and analyse real-world problems with the aim of identifying options to maintain the functionality of these interrelated systems. Students will develop generic skills in GIS, laboratory and data analysis that will enable students to contribute to water and soil security.
Requirements for the major and minor in Soil Science and Hydrology are listed in the Soil Science and Hydrology unit of study table.
Honours in Soil Science and Hydrology is available via an appended Honours. It is comprised of a total of 36-credit points that is distributed across 12-credit points of coursework and 24 credit points dedicated to a research project. The coursework units are to be selected in consultation with the supervisor and will be in a relevant complementary field of study. The remaining 24-credit points are dedicated to a research project.
The research project includes five marked assessments: research proposal, literature review, poster, research paper and an oral presentation.
| Website | School of Life and Environmental Sciences |
|---|---|
| soles.education@sydney.edu.au | |
| Academic contact | Associate Professor Stephen Cattle E stephen.cattle@sydney.edu.au |
| Honours contact | Dr Malcom Possell E malcolm.possell@sydney.edu.au |
