Soils are fundamental to life. Every meal you eat, your clothes, your house: these have all come from the soil. Even the air we breathe is directly affected by soil processes. In this course, The Soil Environment, we will explore how soils support life and how we can sustainably manage the earth’s finite soil resource. Foundational knowledge of soil formation, soil physics and soil biology drawn from Soil Science Australia’s curriculum for Certified Professional Soil Scientists inform the key concepts covered in this course.  

We will explore how soil management interacts with critical global issues, such as climate change and food security. You will be REQUIRED to participate in field work during excursions in order for the associated assessment (Soil Science Communication Assignment) to be accepted for marking. The assessment task will support your soil science knowledge development over the semester and culminate in an industry-relevant assignment that will enable you to showcase your scientific and communication expertise.