SOIL SCIENCE AND GEOLOGY: CONNECTS, DISCONNECTS, AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN GEOSCIENCE EDUCATION

Despite historical linkages, the fields of geology and soil science have developed along largely divergent paths in the United States during much of the mid- to late- twentieth century. The shift in recent decades within both disciplines to greater emphasis on environmental quality issues has created new opportunities for cross-training. In September 2001, the Soil Science Society of America, the Keck Geology Consortium, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (U.S. Department of Agriculture), and the U.S. Geological Survey sponsored a workshop at the College of Wooster aimed at encouraging the expansion of soil science teaching in the undergraduate geology curriculum. Introductory and advanced soil science classes are presently being taught in a number of earth and environmental science departments, for example, at Carleton College, the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Portland State University, Stanford University, the University of Virginia, and Yale University. The Soil Science Society of America is now a member society of the American Geological Institute, and links to the earth science community are being encouraged through proactive outreach activities such as the Wooster workshop. The National Research Council’s December 2000 report, Basic Research Opportunities in Earth Science, highlights the pedosphere as part of the surface to groundwater "critical zone" requiring additional investigation. To better prepare geology undergraduates to deal with complex environmental problems, their training should include at least a minimal exposure to the study of the nature and properties of soils. Those undergraduate geology students with an interest in this area should be encouraged to view soil science as a viable earth science specialty area for graduate study. Summer internship such as offered by the National Science Foundation funded Integrative Graduate Education, Research, and Training (IGERT) programs at Pennsylvania State University (Biogeochemical Research Initiative for Education), the University of California at Davis (Nanophases in the Environment, Agriculture, and Technology), and Washington State University (Center for Multiphase Environmental Research) offer geology undergraduates the opportunity to explore research and career opportunities in soil science.