Undergraduate Soil Science Education

Members of our committee have been involved in several recent initiatives:

- In 2023, we carried out an inventory focused on incorporation of the soil health concept in soil science education at the post-secondary level. Summary of this work can be found in the following manuscript:Krzic, M., T. Yates, A. Diochon, L. Van Eerd, and D. MacKenzie. 2024. Assessing the Incorporation of the Soil Health Concept in Postsecondary Education in Canada. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 104 (2), 227-236. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2024-0002
- In 2021, the online textbook – Digging into Canadian Soils: An Introduction to Soil Science (editors – Maja Krzic, Fran Walley, Amanda Diochon, Maxime Pare, and Rich Farrell) was released. Development of this textbook was a true community effort, involving over 60 contributors. Written entirely by members of the Canadian Society of Soil Science, the book provides an introduction to the core disciplines of soil science, and introduces the concepts and vocabulary needed by students just beginning their soil science journey. The textbook provides supplementary materials that are specific to regions in Canada, or may be of specific interest beyond what might be considered introductory soil science material. Importantly, the textbook also is intended to introduce students to the Canadian System of Soil Classification by providing examples from across the length and breadth of the world’s second largest country, and to the Canadian Society of Soil Science, whose members share a common passion for soil science and are keen to share and instill this passion with students across Canada.
  To access the book just go to https://openpress.usask.ca/soilscience/
- In 2018, we carried out a survey of professionals and managers who recruit, supervise, or work directly with soil science professionals, with a goal to gather feedback regarding the application of soil science knowledge and field skills in the areas of agriculture, environment, forestry, and/or resource management. The findings of this study are published in:

Jacynthe M., T. Yates, M. Krzic, A. Unc, Z. Chi Chen, S. Quideau, K. Hodgson, C.J. Warren. 2019.

https://doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2019-0040

- In 2017, we completed a study of Canadian post-secondary units that offer introductory soil science courses, documenting attributes of instructors, students, and teaching approaches in these courses. The findings of this study are published in:

Krzic, M., T. Yates, A. Diochon, M. Swalow, N. Basiliko, and M. Pare. 2018.

https://doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2018-0006

here

- In 2015-2016, we carried out an inventory of soil science course offerings at Canadian universities and colleges; the findings of this inventory are published in:

Diochon, A., N. Basiliko, M. Krzic, T.T. Yates, E. Olson, J. Masse, B. Amiro, and D. Kumaragamage. 2017.

https://doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2016-0058