Major map:

Soil Science

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (B.S.A.)

Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.

Soil forms an essential part of the environment—affecting or controlling most living things. Soil science studies the soil system to find the best ways of producing food, fuel, and fibre while still preserving soil for use by future generations.

Not a USask student?

Learn more about studying soil science at USask and apply for admission.

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.

Year 1 courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

AGRC 110.3 | Scientific Literacy and Communication for the Agricultural Sciences
AGRC 111.3 | Introduction to Plant and Soil Sciences
AGRC 112.3 | Animal Agriculture and Food Science
AGRC 113.3 | Introduction to Agri Food Economics
BIOL 120.3 | The Nature of Life
BIOL 121.3 | The Diversity of Life
CHEM 112.3 | General Chemistry I Structure Bonding and Properties of Materials
CHEM 250.3 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry

You choose

Once course (3 c.u.) from either AREC 220.3 History of Indigenous Agriculture in Canada OR INDG 107.3 Introduction to Canadian Indigenous Studies
From a variety of courses to fulfill your degree requirements

Academic tips

Explore information about your program in the course and program catalogue
Meet with an academic advisor for help choosing your courses and planning your degree prior to registration
Visit AgBio Student Services to find out about unique supports for AgBio students
Visit the student Learning Hub for help developing your academic skills
Apply for scholarships and bursaries

What will I learn?

Soil science draws from biology, ecology, geography, geology and a variety of other natural and life sciences
Gain an in-depth understanding of the physical, biological and chemical processes that occur in soil
Understand the role soil plays in plant production and environmental management

Gain relevant experience

Familiarize yourself with study abroad programs to make informed decisions in your later years of study
Explore undergraduate research opportunities
Consider enrolling in an experiential learning course

Create local and global connections

Visit the USask Community Centre to make connections and build community
Get involved in your campus community through student groups, USask Rec and USask events
Before you register in your first-year courses, sign up to be a part of a Learning Community
Get to know your faculty and their research interests
Consider joining the Agricultural Student's Association (ASA) to connect with other students, build your governance skills, and inform your student experience

Get career ready

Meet with a career educator at Career Services to explore your career possibilities
Take a career assessment to learn more about your strengths, personality, interests, and values
Create your résumé and cover letter to take advantage of part-time and summer job opportunities
Develop your LinkedIn profile to begin building your professional brand

Featured courses

EVSC 380.3 Grassland Soils and Vegetation
SLSC 232.3 Soil Genesis and Classification
SLSC 240.3 Agricultural Soil Science
SLSC 312.3 Soil Fertility and Fertilizers
SLSC 460.3 Forest Soils

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue and meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.

Year 2 courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

EVSC 210.3 | Environmental Physics
PLSC 213.3 | Principles of Plant Ecology

You choose

One course (3 c.u.) from either CHEM 231.3 Inorganic Chemistry I OR BMSC 200.3 Biomolecules
One course (3 c.u.) from either EVSC 220.3 Environmental Soil Science OR SLSC 240.3 Agricultural Soil Science
One course (3 c.u.) from either FABS 212.3 Agrifood and Resources Microbiology OR BMSC 210.3 Microbiology
Once course (3 c.u.) from either MATH 104.3 Elementary Calculus, OR MATH 110.3 Calculus I, OR MATH 125.3 Mathematics for the Life Sciences
From a variety of courses to fulfill your degree requirements

Academic tips

Check DegreeWorks and meet with an academic advisor to ensure your degree is on track
Apply for scholarships and bursaries

Add to your major

Choose from a variety of certificates to complement your major.

Business (certificate)
Professional Communication (certificate)
Sustainability (certificate)
Technological Innovation (certificate)

Gain relevant experience

Explore study abroad options or gain support as an international student through the International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC)
Become a peer mentor through the University Library or Peer Health
Sign up for a Student Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
Get involved in research by applying for a research assistantship
Consider enrolling in an experiential learning course
Consider running for a leadership position with an Agricultural Student's Association (ASA) or the USask Students’ Union (USSU)

Create local and global connections

Engage with your community through volunteering
Meet with new people and grow your cultural understanding through Building Bridges and Global Connections
Get to know your faculty and their research interests
Consider joining the an AgBio Student Club to connect with other students, build your governance skills, and inform your student experience

Get career ready

Discover job opportunities, explore career options, and meet professionals at Career Services events and career fairs
Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
Expand your professional network on LinkedIn
Get a better understanding of your career possibilities through career informational interviews
Conduct occupational research through Job Bank and LinkedIn
Attend Careers Day in September to connect with Ag/Bio employers

Student Supports

Connect with student support options to maintain your wellness and support your goals.

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue and meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.

Year 3 and 4 courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

You choose

One course (3 c.u.) from either PLSC 214.3 Statistical Methods OR STAT 245.3 Introduction to Statistical Methods
One course (3 c.u.) from either EVSC 110.3 Renewable Resources and Environment, OR GEOL 206.3 Earth Systems, OR GEOG 120.3 Introduction to Global Environmental Systems
From a variety of courses to fulfill your degree requirements

Apply to graduate

Academic tips

Check DegreeWorks and meet with an academic faculty advisor to ensure your degree is on track
Apply for scholarships and bursaries
Consider applying to a graduate program in Agriculture/Bioresources

Consider applying to a graduate program

Soil Science (M.Sc., Ph.D.)

Find a program

Gain relevant experience

Consider running for a leadership position with the Agricultural Student's Association (ASA) or the USask Students’ Union (USSU)
Consider enrolling in an experiential learning course

Create local and global connections

Join the USask Alumni and Friends community
Get to know your faculty and their research interests

Get career ready

Update your résumé, cover letter or CV to apply for jobs
Book a Mock Interview appointment with Career Services to prepare for your interview
Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
If you are new to Canada, take time to learn about how to search for a job in Canada
Discover employment opportunities through Ag Careers
Attend Careers Day in September to connect with Ag/Bio employers

USask Student Competencies

USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:

Engaging in our intercultural society
Nurturing successful relationships
Leveraging technology
Adaptive design and problem solving
Communicating meaningfully
Cultivating well-being

Possible destinations

People with a soil science degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Some of the career paths listed here require further education and training.

Career paths

Agronomist
Contaminated Sites Officer
Environmental Monitor
Environmental Scientist
Land Resource specialist
Material Science Laboratory Technician

Outreach Coordinator
Project Manager
Quality Assurance Technician
Regulatory Portfolio Manager
Risk Assessor
Sales Support Coordinator

Soil Health Educator
Soil Molecular Microbiologist
Soil Scientist
Wetlands Ecologist

The Soil Science program at USask combines hands-on learning with a strong technical foundation in soil formation, nutrient cycling and soil fertility. Laboratory and field-based instruction develops practical problem-solving, teamwork and leadership skills that are valuable to the Ministry of Agriculture. Graduates regularly contribute to soil research and extension, and collaborate with industry and producers to address soil fertility challenges. This strong foundation in soil science supports the development of well-rounded agronomists with practical diagnostic skills and the ability to support sound, on-farm decision-making.

—Chantal Jacobs, B.S.A., M.Sc., North East Regional Manager, Ministry of Agriculture (SK)

Where do USask alumni work?

AECOM
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Alberta Energy Regulator
BASF
CNH Industrial
Croptimistic Technology Inc.

Maapera Analytics
Matrix Solutions Inc.
Ministry of Agriculture (SK)
Natural Resources Canada
Pavement Scientific International
Stantec

Tetra Tech
Trace Associates Inc.
Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.
University of Saskatchewan

Explore Canadian salaries for various occupations using the Job Bank Career Planning Tool

"USask holds the Canadian standard for an elite and comprehensive undergraduate education in soil science. The professors I learned from within the Soil Science major became mentors who enabled me to become my best self in a professional setting and connected me to employment both during and after my degree. A strong network is essential for both personal and career success post-graduation, and I am especially grateful for the network I built while completing my soil science degree at AgBio USask. When you declare soil science as your major, have full confidence you are setting your future self up for success."

—Lainie, Bachelor of Science in Soil Science '26

"I have gained practical knowledge of not only the soil, but how it plays a crucial role in the world around us. Many people view soil as just a place to grow plants but it is much more complex than that, it is a web of interconnection that helps not only in plant growth but essentially allows us to all exist. Having a degree in Soil Science opens up a vast amount of doors, it is one of the fastest growing career paths and has many different avenues that a person can go down, meaning finding employment in the future will be a lot easier for someone with a degree in Soil Science."

—Charde, fourth-year Soil Science student