The Environmental Soil Sciences specialization is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to sustainably manage soils for the production of agricultural commodities, while also preserving this important natural resource for human uses and environmental conservation. Through a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory work, and field experiences, students will gain a deep understanding of the chemical and biological processes that govern soil formation, nutrient cycling, and the interactions between soil, water, and the environment.
Student Learning Objectives
Upon completing the BS in Tropical Agriculture and the Environment, students will be able to..
Demonstrate the ability to identify problems associated with agriculture, and apply the scientific method and practices to develop sustainable solutions from urban to rural environments.
Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate scientific evidence, identify gaps in knowledge, and apply evidence-based arguments to solve issues associated with agriculture in a dynamic world.
Demonstrate responsible and ethical conduct, leadership, collaboration, respect for a diversity of viewpoints, and the capacity for life-long learning appropriate to professional and community-based practices.
Demonstrate understanding of the science of agriculture and its interaction with the environment from molecules to ecosystems.
Demonstrate proficiency in oral and written communication for both professional and general audiences.
Environmental Soil Sciences Advisor
Contact for assistance with course selection, career advising, or any curriculum inquiries.
Program Documents
General Education Requirements
Students must complete the UH Mānoa General Education Requirements, alternatives are available to the Hawaiian/Second Language requirement. An updated list of the courses recommended to satisfy the requirements is available from the undergraduate advisor. Courses at 200-level or above usually require prerequisites.
The TAE core course requirements:
- TPSS 200 (SUST 211) [DB] – Agriculture, Environment, and Society
- BIOL 265 [DB] – Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- NREM 310 – Statistics in Agriculture and Human Resources
- or HDFS 380 | 380 L – Research Methodology / Research Methodology Lab
- TPSS (NREM) 304 | 304 L (DP | DY) – Fundamentals of Soil Science / Fundamentals of Soil Science Lab
- PEPS 421 [DB] – Foundations of Pest Management
- TPSS 470 – 470L (DY) – Plant Physiology / Plant Physiology Lab
- TPSS 492 – 492L or PEPS 495 – Internship or Capstone Project
- TPSS 499 – Directed Studies
‣ Students are required to complete 120 credits to graduate with a BS in TAE.
Requirements for the Specialization in Environmental Soil Sciences
Students selecting this option must complete the following courses:
- *BIOL 171 – 171L – Introduction to Biology / Introduction to Biology Lab
- and *BIOL 172 – 172L – Introduction to Biology II / Introduction to Biology II Lab
- *CHEM 161 – 161L – General Chemistry I / General Chemistry I Lab
- and *CHEM 162 – 162L – General Chemistry II / General Chemistry II Lab
- PHYS 151 – College Physics I
- MATH 215 – Applied Calculus I
*or their equivalent
Some of these courses will fulfill part of the Natural Science requirement of the UH Manoa General Education Requirement and are considered prerequisite to some courses in the major.
Major Course Requirements
The following courses are required for this specialization:
- TPSS 435 – Environmental Soil Chemistry
- TPSS 450 – Sustainable Nutrient Management in Agroecosystems
- TPSS 460 – Soil Plant Environment
- or NREM 477 Geographic Information Systems for Resource Managers (4)
- TPSS 475 – Plant Nutrient Diagnosis in the Tropics
Elective Courses
In addition, the student must take 18 credits from a list of over 14 courses. The options available are listed on the Bachelor Degree Program Sheet