Soil Science at the University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky Department of Agronomy provides opportunities for graduate study leading to a M.S. degree in Plant and Soil Science and a Ph.D. degree in Soil Science. Graduate programs are designed to accommodate the individual interests and objectives of students, provide a strong background in basic science, and a broad understanding of soil systems. Excellent facilities and experienced guidance allow students to carry out independent research and receive thorough training in both field and laboratory techniques. Specialization is possible in the following areas:

Forest Soil Management Ecology
Soil Chemistry
Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
Soil Genesis, Morphology and Classification
Soil Management and Conservation
Soil Microbiology
Soil Mineralogy
Soil Physics
Soil Biochemistry
Soil and Water Quality

The Soil Science program at the University of Kentucky has gained international recognition for innovative research on soil management systems. Pioneering investigations are being conducted in several areas including: conservation tillage, waste management, wetlands, water quality, microbial transport, management of soil nutrients, and spatial soil resource management. These areas of applied research are supported by extensive interaction with strong basic programs in soil physics, soil biology, mineralogy, and soil chemistry. Cooperative efforts with faculty in such areas as biosystems and agricultural engineering, geology, geography, forestry, crop ecology, plant physiology, plant breeding, and molecular biology are also encouraged.

Applying

Application for admission and for assistantships/fellowship support can be obtained from the University of Kentucky Graduate School web site. Applications are accepted at any time. However, students desiring admission for the fall semester are urged to submit their applications and supporting materials before February 1.

Financial Support

Research Assistantships and University Fellowships are available. Half-time Graduate assistantship stipends are $15,000 for Ph.D. candidates and 12,000 per year for M.S. candidates and include both health insurance and a waiver of out-of-state tuition. Students with outstanding credentials are eligible for supplemental stipends and waver of in-state tution. Several competitive fellowships are also available through the Graduate School. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies for Soil Science for further information.

Housing

The University has housing facilities for single students and married students with families. For further information write to: Graduate and Family Housing 700 Woodland Ave. Building C. Lexington, Kentucky 40508.

Additional Information

Additional information may be obtained from individual faculty members or by contacting: Dr. Mike Barrett, Chairman Department of Agronomy, or Dr. John H. Grove, Director of Graduate Studies, Soil Science Department of Agronomy 105 Plant Science Building 1405 Veterans Drive Lexington, Kentucky 40546-0312 Dr. Barrett phone: (859) 257-5020 x 80709 Dr. Grove phone: (859) 257-5852 FAX: (859) 257-2185 E-mail: Dr. Barrett mbarrett@email.uky.edu. E-mail: Dr. Grove jgrove@uky.edu

Faculty M. Arthur - Forest ecology R.I. Barnhisel -Precision Agriculutre / Clay mineralogy C. D. Barton - Forest Soil Management M.S. Coyne - Soil biology E. M. D'Angelo - Soil and Water Biogeochemistry D. Ditsch - Soil fertility and management J.H. Grove - Soil-Crop Production System Management J. Hendrix - Soil fungi, mycorrhizae P. Kalisz - Forest soils A. D. Karathanasis - Soil genesis, mineralogy and classification C.J. Matocha - Soil chemistry T.G. Mueller- Precision Agriculture / Soil and Water Conservation and Management L.W. Murdock - Soil fertility and management R. Pearce - Soil fertility M. Rasnake - Soil Fertility and Animal Waste Management G. J. Schwab - Soil Fertility and Management F. Sikora - Soil Chemistry / Soil Testing W.O. Thom - Soil Fertility and Waste Management O. Wendroth - Soil Physics

Facilities

The University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky. Department of Agronomy laboratories are well equipped, with sophisticated instrumentation. A central analytical research laboratory increases efficiency for routine plant and soil analyses. Greenhouses and controlled climate chambers are adjacent to the building, and excellent field facilities are a short distance from campus. Ready access to computer and library facilities is provided.

Courses Offered

Number Title Credits Semester* Instructor __________________________________________________________________________________ 366 Fundamentals of Soil Science 4 F, S Grabau 450G Biogeochemistry 3 S D'Angelo 468G Soil Use & Management 3 F Mueller 470G Soil Nutrient Managment 3 S Grove 477G Land Treatment of Waste 3 F Thom/Coyne 501 Reclamation of Disturbed Land 3 F Barnhisel 564 Forest Soils 3 F Kalisz 566 Soil Microbiology 3 S Coyne 567 Methods of Soil Microbiology 1 S Coyne 573 Soil Morphology and Classification 3 F Karathanasis 575 Soil Physics 3 F Wendroth 576 Lab in Soil Physics 1 F Wendroth 581 Chemical Anal. of Soils & Plants 4 S Barnhisel 650 Soil-Plant Relationships 3 F Sikora 660 Advanced Soil Biology 2 F even yr. Coyne 671 Soil Chemistry 4 F even yr. Matocha 712 Advanced Soil Fertility 4 F even yr. Grove 721 Pedogenic Processes 4 S odd yr. Karathanasis 741 Clay Mineralogy 3 S even yr. Barnhisel * F = Fall Semester, S = Spring Semester, Su = Summer Semester both 4-week and 8-week, unless otherwise indicated

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