Department Information
The Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department researches and teaches about soil, water, and environmental sciences in urban, agricultural, and natural ecosystems. Since its origins over 100 years ago, the department has made significant contributions to improving the productivity of Florida’s agriculture, helping protect the state's unique ecosystems, and contributing to soil and water science at national and international levels.
Website
CONTACT
Email | 352.294.3`51
P.O. Box 110290
2181 MCCARTY HALL A
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-0290
Map
Curriculum
Courses
AGG 4502 Nanotechnology in Food, Agriculture, and Environment 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Application of nanotechnology in crop production, food processing and preservation, and environmental remediation; behavior of engineered nanoparticles in plant, soil and the environment, and environmental toxicology and regulations of engineered nanoparticles.
Prerequisite: SWS 3022.
ALS 3133 Agricultural and Environmental Quality 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Analysis of effects of agriculture on environmental quality; emphasis on agricultural wastes and practices; potential for using agricultural systems for disposal of other wastes; effects of pollution on the agricultural environment. (P)
Attributes: General Education - Physical Science
SWS 2007 The World of Water 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
The full range of water issues including abundance and quality of water in the environment, water policy and conflict. (P)
Attributes: General Education - Physical Science
SWS 2008 Land and Life 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Relationships between human activities and soil and environmental quality. Lectures concentrate on the fundamentals of soil and environmental science using case studies to illustrate basic principles. Intended for non-majors. (B)
Attributes: General Education - Biological Science
SWS 3022 Introduction to Soils in the Environment 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Fundamentals of soil science emphasizing the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils in relation to growth of native and agricultural plants and environmental uses. (P)
Attributes: General Education - Physical Science
SWS 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory 1 Credit
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Hands-on exposure to soils-related properties and processes.
SWS 4116 Environmental Nutrient Management 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Consumption, existing reserves, formulation, chemical and physical properties, and manufacture of commercial fertilizers; basic chemical reactions of fertilizer materials with the soil and the fate of the nutritional elements whether it be loss by leaching, plant uptake, fixation or soil retention. (P)
Prerequisite: SWS 3022.
Attributes: General Education - Physical Science
SWS 4180 Earth System Analysis 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Analysis of global-scale interdependences between climate, biogeochemical cycles and humans using a systems approach.
SWS 4204 Urban Soil and Water Systems 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Issues and opportunities related to soil and water quality in urban systems. Students will learn and discuss consequences of human population growth on soil and water systems in urban areas.
Prerequisite: SWS 3022.
SWS 4207 Sustainable Agricultural and Urban Land Management 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Agricultural and urban water quality issues in Florida, their bases, land and nutrient management strategies and the science and policy behind Best Management Practices (BMPs). Students will learn to evaluate BMP research and analyze its role in determining practices and policies that protect water quality.
Prerequisite: SWS 3022 or instructor permission.
SWS 4223 Environmental Biogeochemistry 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
To gain understanding of the earth as a biogeochemistry system in the context of global change.
Prerequisite: (BSC 2005 and BSC 2005L) or (BSC 2010 and BSC 2010L) and (CHM 2045 and CHM 2045L).
SWS 4231C Soil, Water and Land Use 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Suitabilities/limitations of soils for different uses; using soil surveys and related information to plan use/management of land; behavior of water in soils/landscapes; policies for and implications of water allocation among urban, agricultural and natural resource uses. (P)
Attributes: General Education - Physical Science
SWS 4233 Soil and Water Conservation 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Soil/water resources, historical erosions and sediment problems, geologic vs. accelerated erosion, erosion prediction equations and government conservation programs; water conservation, irrigation, drainage and salinity; stormwater management; and case studies in erosion and sedimentation.
SWS 4244 Wetlands 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Introduces wetland ecosystems with emphasis on principles and problems associated with their functions and values as related to water quality. Students become familiar with basic and applied concepts in hydrology, soils and vegetation of both constructed and natural wetlands.
SWS 4245 Water Resource Sustainability 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
The quantitative effects of human impacts on hydrologic ecosystems (aquifers, watersheds, coastal zones, lakes and wetlands). Case studies illustrate detrimental effects of unsustainable resource utilization and beneficial management strategies.
SWS 4303C Soil Microbial Ecology 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Occurrence and activities of soil microorganisms and their influence on soil productivity and environmental quality.
Prerequisite: (BSC 2005 and BSC 2005L) or (BSC 2010 and BSC 2010L).
SWS 4307 Ecology of Waterborne Pathogens 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Survival strategies, gene regulation and metabolism of waterborne pathogens. Methods for microbe detection and control.
Prerequisite: MCB 3020 or MCB 3023 or MCB 4203, or equivalent.
SWS 4451 Soil and Water Chemistry 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Physico-chemical processes such as mineral weathering and formation, sorption and ion exchange. Also includes introduction to diffuse double-layer theory.
SWS 4504 Aquatic Toxicology: Science and Applications 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Introduces foundational knowledge and concepts of the field of aquatic toxicology. Examines how environmental and chemical properties influence the fate and bioavailability of contaminants in aquatic environments; introduces principles of toxicology and methods used to study aquatic toxicology, as well as applications of knowledge gained from aquatic toxicology studies.
Prerequisite: ((BSC 2005 and BSC 2005L) or (BSC 2010 and BSC 2010L)) and ((CHM 2045 and CHM 2045L) or (CHM 2046 and CHM 2046L)).
SWS 4550 Soils, Water and Public Health 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Important instances where soil and water science and public health overlap; develop skills required for competency in both disciplines.
Prerequisite: (CHM 2045 and CHM 2046 and BSC 2010) or instructor permission.
SWS 4602C Soil Physics 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Physical processes and properties of soils that influence optimum growth of plants as well as potential for groundwater pollution from agrochemicals and applied wastes. Primary emphasis is given to basic concepts of transport and retention for water and solutes; secondary emphasis is given to air and heat in the root zone of the soil profile; and limited attention is given to mechanical properties of soil that affect the proliferation of plant roots. (P)
Prerequisite: MAC 2311 and PHY 2004 and SWS 3022.
Attributes: General Education - Physical Science
SWS 4715C Environmental Pedology 4 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Study and analysis of soil in the environment and the factors responsible for soil formation and geographic distribution. Development of hydric soil criteria and hydric soil indicators. Emphasis on morphology or hydric/ non-hydric soils and introduction to diagnostic horizons and soil classification. Course also includes abs on soil field techniques.
Prerequisite: SWS 3022.
SWS 4720C GIS in Soil and Water Science 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Basic, practical understanding of GIS concepts, technical issues and applications to soil and water science using ArcGIS geographic information system.
SWS 4800 Environmental Soil and Water Monitoring Techniques 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Introduces the principles, objectives, and practices in environmental monitoring. Learn the proper techniques in planning for monitoring projects, sampling design, sample collection, basic principles of laboratory analysis, and basic data analysis. Also introduces and emphasizes quality assurance and quality control requirements.
Prerequisite: BSC 2010 and BSC 2010L and CHM 2045 and CHM 2045L.
SWS 4900 Supervised Extension Experience in Soil and Water Sciences 0-3 Credits
Grading Scheme: S/U
Firsthand, authentic extension experiences in agricultural and life sciences under the supervision of a faculty member. Projects may involve program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.
SWS 4905 Individual Work 1-3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Selected topics for qualified students.
Prerequisite: 8 credits of SWS courses and instructor permission.
SWS 4911 Supervised Research in Soil and Water Science 0-3 Credits
Grading Scheme: S/U
Provides firsthand, supervised research. Projects may involve inquiry, design, investigation, scholarship, discovery, or application.
SWS 4915 Honors Thesis Research in Soil and Water Science 0-3 Credits
Grading Scheme: S/U
Independent research in soil and water science leading to an honors thesis. Student will be mentored by a faculty member. Projects may involve inquiry, design, investigation, scholarship, discovery or application.
Prerequisite: junior standing, upper division GPA of 3.75 or higher and completed honors thesis proposal on file.
SWS 4932 Special Topics in Soil and Water Science 1-3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Variable topics designed to meet students' needs and interests.
SWS 4941 Full-time Practical Work Experience in Soil and Water Science 1-3 Credits
Grading Scheme: S/U
Practical work must be a new experience and related to field of study.
Prerequisite: prior arrangement with advisor, and department and dean permissions.