Department of Soil Science

The Department of Soil Science provides instruction in the use and management of land resources. Teaching and research is focused on the sustainability and productivity of the land base, enhancement of crop and livestock production, and maintenance of soil, water, and food quality as affected by agriculture and other human activities.

Soils for our future 2025

Undergraduate programs

Soil Science is really the study of “the living land”. The soil is a fundamental part of the environment and the basis for life in terrestrial environments. The soil also affects aquatic systems and the atmosphere through ecosystem interactions. Students interested in ecosystem function, whether natural or managed, should have a good education in soil and landscape science.

  • Our courses focus on different aspects of soils and landscapes. These include the fundamentals in biology, chemistry, physics as well as soil classification and development. However, many of the courses concentrate on the application of soils knowledge to address real-world problems. These relate to issues such as sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, ecosystem health, and climate change.

    The courses in the Department of Soil Science apply to several of the Faculty's diploma and degree programs.

     

  • Student in lab with samples.

Soil science undergraduate courses

In most Faculties, you should declare your intentions to the student advisor for your program. They will then ensure that the courses can be scheduled and you will receive official recognition for the Minor in Soil Science on your transcript.

The minor program requires the completion of 18 credit-hours. This is the standard minor requirement for most of the Faculties at the University of Manitoba.

Students must complete one compulsory course: SOIL3600: Soils and Landscapes in our Environment (3 credit hours) and an additional 15 credit hours selected from the following Soil Science courses (each course is 3 credit hours):

Soil Science courses

  • SOIL 3060 - Introduction to Agrometeorology
  • SOIL 3520 - Pesticides: Environment, Economics and Ethics 
  • SOIL 3600 - Soils and Landscapes in our Environment
  • SOIL 3610 - Field Methods in Land Resource Science
  • SOIL 4060 - Physical Properties of Soils 
  • SOIL 4130 - Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy
  • SOIL 4400 - Soil Ecology
  • SOIL 4500 - Remediation of Contaminated Land
  • SOIL 4510 - Soil and Water Management
  • SOIL 4520 - Soil Fertility

Course outlines

Diploma in Agriculture courses

  • SOIL 0420 - Soil Productivity and Land Use
  • SOIL 0620 - Soil and Water Management
  • SOIL 0630 - Soil Fertility

Course outlines

Graduate programs

Our graduate degree programs offer the opportunity to study and conduct research with internationally recognized researchers and one of a kind facilities.

  • The department of soil science has a strong graduate program for both master and doctorate degrees. Our topic areas are diverse, embracing all aspects of soil science related to agricultural and other ecosystems. We include the soil interfaces, such as air and water, encompassing physical, chemical and biological processes. We provide funding for research assistantships and also encourage students with scholarships to apply.

  • Preparing a soil sample in the field.

Research and facilities

Research is focused on the sustainability and productivity of the land base, enhancement of crop and livestock production, and maintenance of soil, water and food quality as affected by agriculture and other human activities.

  • Agronomy equipment on the field, photo by Mario Tenuta.

  • Our facilities and equipment support teaching and research in a variety of areas including agrometeorology, landscape dynamics, pesticide science, soil chemistry and mineralogy, soil ecology, soil fertility and nutrient management, soil physics and land remediation.

    The department is home to the NSERC Senior Industrial Research Chair in 4R Nutrient Stewardship.

     

Outreach

  • People gathered around a speaker at a plot tour.

  • Our research findings relating to improved production and environmental sustainability are transferred to producers and the public.

    The Manitoba Agriculture and Food Knowledge Exchange (MAKE) is where we share Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences research that is shaping agriculture and food production in Manitoba and around the world.

Learn more about us

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Contact us

Department of Soil Science general office
Room 362 Ellis Building
13 Freedman Crescent
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

soilsci@umanitoba.ca
204-474-8153