Soil Science
The goal of the Soil Science program is to provide M.S. and Ph.D. students with advanced knowledge, skills, and techniques to address environmental and agricultural problems facing our global community. Students majoring in Soil Science will select one of the following areas of specialization.
The Soil Science major requires specialization in one of six specialty areas:
Curriculum Review
Coursework in each of the specialty areas is set by the student, major professor, and Program of Study Committee following departmental and university requirements. Each student is expected to complete the diagnostic exam, participate in departmental seminars (Agron 600B), consider participation in a teaching practicum (Agron 698), and Ph.D. students must take the Uniform Preliminary Written Examination. Furthermore, the program sponsors the Pierre Lectureship that brings outstanding soil scientists to Iowa State University.
National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environoment is located on campus adjacent to Agronomy Hall. Many of the scientists working at the Laboratory are members of the graduate faculty in Agronomy and mentor graduate students and conduct research that complements the work done by the Department.
Other informative links:
Graduate Faculty in Soil Science
Dr. M.M. Al-Kaisi
Soil Management and Environment
2104D Agronomy Hall,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-1923
malkaisi@iastate.edu
Dr. C.L. Burras
Soil Science
1126G Agronomy Hall,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-0559
lburras@iastate.edu
Dr. C. Cambardella
Soil Science
310 NLAE,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-2921
cindy.cambardella@ars.usda.gov
Dr. M.J. Castellano
Soil Biogeochemistry
2104L Agronomy Hall,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-3963
castelmj@iastate.edu
Dr. R.M. Cruse
Soil Management
3212 Agronomy Hall,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-7850
rmc@iastate.edu
Dr. R. Horton
Soil Physics
2543 Agronomy Hall,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-7843
rhorton@iastate.edu
Dr. D.B. Jaynes
Soil Physics
132 NLAE,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-8243
dan.jaynes@ars.usda.gov
Dr. D.L. Karlen
Soil and Crop Management
314 NLAE,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-3336
doug.karlen@ars.usda.gov
Dr. T.C. Kaspar
Crop Production and Physiology
238 NLAE,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-8873
kaspar@iastate.edu
Dr. J. Kovar
Nutrient Management; Soil-Plant Relationships
305 NLAE,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-3419
john.kovar@ars.usda.gov
Dr. R.J. Killorn
Soil Fertility
3208 Agronomy Hall,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-3433
rkillorn@iastate.edu
Dr. A.K. Manu
Soil Science
1126A Agronomy Hall,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011
515-294-5510
akmanu@iastate.edu
Dr. D.A. Laird
Soil mineralogy and chemistry
2505 Agronomy Hall,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-1581
delaird@iastate.edu
Dr. S.D. Logsdon
Soil Physics and soil management
222 NLAE,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-8265
sally.logsdon@ars.usda.gov
Dr. T.E. Loynachan
Soil Microbiology
1126H Agronomy Hall,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-3064
teloynac@iastate.edu
Dr. A.P. Mallarino
Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management
3216 Agronomy Hall,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-6200
apmallar@iastate.edu
Dr. T.B. Moorman
318 NLAE,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-2308
tom.moorman@ars.usda.gov
Dr. T.P. Polito
Soild Fertility and Agronomy
1009 Agronomy Hall,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-2766
tpolito@iastate.edu
Dr. J.A. Sandor
Soil Morphology and Genesis
1013 Agronomy Hall,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-2209
jasandor@iastate.edu
Dr. T.J. Sauer
214 NLAE,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-3416
tom.sauer@ars.usda.gov
Dr. J.E. Sawyer
Extension Soil Fertility
2104K Agronomy Hall,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-1923
jsawyer@iastate.edu
Dr. M.A Tabatabai
Soil Chemistry/Biochemistry
2403 Agronomy Hall,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-7848
malit@iastate.edu
Dr. M.L Thompson
Soil Mineralogy and Chemistry
2503 Agronomy Hall,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-2415
mlthomps@iastate.edu
Dr. J.D. Wolt
Soil Chemistry
164 Seed Science,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011,
515-294-6899
jdwolt@iastate.edu