Principles of scientific research; management skills; writing skills; oral and poster presentation; preparation of research proposal and thesis (pass/fail). These topics will focus on aspects of soil science and will give students experience in writing and presenting scientific material to increase their professionalism as soil scientists.

Several courses in soil science are sectioned into modules. Modules of one credit hour on special topics are also available. Students may select three modules from the various courses or from special topics for SOIL 7250.

The investigation of water dynamics including water retention and transport in soils, plant regulation of water, evapotranspiration, and the limitations of water for ecosystem function in current and future Prairie climates. Measurement and modeling techniques are developed. Students will critique the literature and explore assigned topics. Permission of instructor.

An examination of methods and technologies to characterize landscapes and understand processes across a range of spatial scales. Students will investigate landscape dynamics through the development and application of digital techniques and mathematical models. Students will critique the literature and explore assigned topics. Permission of instructor.

Advanced study of nutrients in soils and plants including ecosystem behaviour and crop requirements, methods and approaches for studying nutrient dynamics, and applications and emerging issues. Students will critique the literature and investigate assigned topics. Permission of instructor.

The investigation of water dynamics including water retention and transport in soils, plant regulation of water, evapotranspiration, and the limitations of water for ecosystem function in current and future Prairie climates. Measurement and modeling techniques are developed. Students will critique the literature and explore assigned topics. Permission of instructor.

Students will gain an understanding of the basis, mechanics, and applicability of various established, emerging, and innovative non-traditional quantitative techniques and will have the opportunity to apply these techniques to datasets they bring from real experiments in the soil sciences and the agricultural and food sciences. Instruction will be using SAS software, but students can use programs of their choice. The critique of journal papers will emphasize the design and analysis procedures covered in the course, as applied to soil and related research.