University Catalog 2024-2025

Natural Resources (BS): Soil, Water and Land Use Concentration

The Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources degree with a concentration in Soil, Water, and Land Use encompasses the study of soil, water, air, minerals, flora, fauna and people. In this degree, students acquire a solid foundation in resource management with a focus on soil properties and surface and groundwater hydrology. Graduates will use their understanding of earth's systems to help policy makers, government agencies, and private land managers make environmentally responsible decisions related to soil, water, and land use.

Contact Person

Undergraduate Programs Office
Crop & Soil Sciences Department
2234 Williams Hall
Campus Box 7620
919-515-5820
cropsoil-undergraduate-office@ncsu.edu

Plan Requirements

Orientation
ALS 103Freshman Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & Life Sciences1
or ALS 303 Transfer Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & Life Sciences
Communication/Advanced Writing
COM 110Public Speaking3
or COM 112 Interpersonal Communication
Select one of the following Advanced Writing courses:3
Communication Methods and Media
Communication for Engineering and Technology
Communication for Business and Management
Communication for Science and Research
Mathematics & Natural Sciences
MA 131Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A3
MA 231Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B3
ST 311Introduction to Statistics3
CH 101
CH 102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
BIO 181Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity4
AEC 360Ecology4
MEA 101
MEA 110
Geology I: Physical
and Geology I Laboratory
4
PY 131Conceptual Physics4
Required Courses within Major
ARE 201Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics3
CSSC 290Professional Development in Crop & Soil Sciences1
NR 300Natural Resource Measurements4
SSC 200
SSC 201
Soil Science
and Soil Science Laboratory 1
4
SSC 341Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management3
SSC 342Soil and Plant Nutrient Analysis1
SSC 452Soil Classification4
SSC 461Soil Physical Properties and Plant Growth3
CSSC 490Senior Seminar in Crop Science and Soil Science1
Concentration Electives
Foundation Elective (select one):3
Water and the Environment
Conservation of Natural Resources
Land and Life
Advanced Chemistry Elective (select one):3
Chemistry - A Quantitative Science
and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory
Introductory Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
Soil and Environmental Biogeochemistry
Economics, Management & Policy Electives6
Experiential Learning (select one):3
Professional Internship Experience in Crop and Soil Sciences
Research Experience in Crop and Soil Sciences
Geospatial Technologies Elective3
Land Use Electives 6
Plant Science Electives 6
Water, Wetlands & Ecology Electives6
GEP Courses
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research 14
GEP Humanities6
GEP Social Sciences3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives2
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Free Electives
Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt)4
Total Hours120
1

A grade of C- or higher is required.

2

Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.

Economics, Management & Policy Electives

AEC 380Water Resources: Global Issues in Ecology, Policy, Management, and Advocacy3
ARE 215Small Business Accounting3
ARE 306Agricultural Law3
ARE 309Environmental Law & Economic Policy3
ARE 312Agribusiness Marketing3
ARE 332Human Resource Management for Agribusiness3
ARE 336Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics3
CE 478Energy and Climate3
CS 418Introduction to Regulatory Science in Agriculture3
CS 428Advanced Regulatory Science in Agriculture3
NR 406Conservation of Biological Diversity3
NR 460Renewable Natural Resource Management and Policy3
PS 201American Politics and Government3
PS 202State and Local Government3
PS 320U.S. Environmental Law and Politics3
SSC 455Soils, Environmental Quality and Global Challenges3

Geospatial Technologies Electives

BAE 325Introductory Geomatics3
FOR 353GIS and Remote Sensing for Environmental Analysis and Assessment3
GIS 280Introduction to GIS3
GIS 512Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing3
SSC 440/540Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Soil Science and Agriculture3
SSC 545Remote Sensing Applications in Soil Science and Agriculture3

Land Use Electives

MEA 300Environmental Geology4
MEA 481Geomorphology: Earth's Dynamic Surface3
NR 400/500Natural Resource Management4
NR 484Environmental Impact Assessment4
NR 510Military Land Sustainability3
SSC 410Soil Judging for Land Evaluation1
SSC 4213
SSC 427Biological Approaches to Sustainable Soil Systems3
SSC 455Soils, Environmental Quality and Global Challenges3
SSC 462Soil-Crop Management Systems3

Plant Science Electives

CS 213Crop Science3
CS 230Introduction to Agroecology3
CS 251Production of Forage Crops3
PB 200Plant Life4
FOR 252Introduction to Forest Science4
FOR 3394
PB 220Local Flora3
PB 321Introduction to Whole Plant Physiology3
PB 421Plant Physiology3

Water, Wetlands & Ecology Electives

AEC 400Applied Ecology3
AEC 419Freshwater Ecology4
BAET 323Water Management3
FOR 260Forest Ecology4
NR/FOR 420Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology4
NR 421/521Wetland Science and Management3
SSC 332Environmental Soil Microbiology3
SSC 470/570Wetland Soils3

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
ALS 103
Freshman Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & Life Sciences
or Transfer Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & Life Sciences
1
BIO 181 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 4
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 4
MA 131 Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 3
Foundation Elective 3
CSSC 290 Professional Development in Crop & Soil Sciences 1
 Hours16
Spring Semester
CH 101 Chemistry - A Molecular Science 3
CH 102 General Chemistry Laboratory 1
MA 231 Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B 3
GEP Humanities 3
AEC 360 Ecology 4
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall Semester
ARE 201 Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
SSC 200 Soil Science 3
SSC 201 Soil Science Laboratory 1
ST 311 Introduction to Statistics 3
Plant Science Elective 3
COM 110
Public Speaking
or Interpersonal Communication
3
 Hours17
Spring Semester
MEA 101 Geology I: Physical 3
MEA 110 Geology I Laboratory 1
PY 131 Conceptual Physics 4
SSC 341 Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management 3
Economics, Management and Policy Elective 3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 2
 Hours16
Third Year
Fall Semester
SSC 342 Soil and Plant Nutrient Analysis 1
SSC 461 Soil Physical Properties and Plant Growth 3
Advanced Chemistry Elective 3
Land Use Elective 3
Economics, Management and Policy Elective 3
 Hours13
Spring Semester
NR 300 Natural Resource Measurements 4
SSC 452 Soil Classification 4
Geospatial Technologies Elective 3
Water, Wetlands, and Ecology Elective 3
 Hours14
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
Experiential Learning Elective 3
Select one of the following: 3
Communication for Engineering and Technology
Communication for Business and Management
Communication for Science and Research
GEP Humanities 3
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 3
GEP Social Sciences 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
Free Elective 4
CSSC 490 Senior Seminar in Crop Science and Soil Science 1
Land Use Elective 3
Water, Wetlands, and Ecology Elective 3
Plant Science Elective 3
 Hours14
 Total Hours120

Career Opportunities

The breadth and depth of education and experiences you will gain from our department will set you on a path toward a rewarding career in one of the following specialties:

  • Conservationist
  • Ecologist
  • Environmental Scientist and Specialist
  • Extension Agent
  • Hydrologist
  • Nutrient Management/ Waste Management Specialist 
  • Precision Agriculture Specialist
  • Restoration Specialist
  • Soil Scientist 

Learn more about future job prospects, representative salaries, and major employers for each of the above listed careers at go.ncsu.edu/careers

Career Titles

  • Climate Change Policy Analysts
  • Conservation Scientist
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Environmental Planner
  • Environmental Research Analyst
  • Forest and Conservation Technician
  • Forest and Conservation Workers
  • Forester
  • Forestry and Conservation Science Professor
  • Park Naturalist
  • Range Manager
  • Soil Conservationist
  • Wildlife Control Agent
  • Natural Resources Management and Policy
  • Conservation Scientist
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Environmental Planner
  • Environmental Research Analyst
  • Fish and Game Warden
  • Forest and Conservation Workers
  • Forester
  • Landfill Inspectors
  • Range Manager
  • Soil Conservationist
  • Wind Energy Operations Managers
  • Wind Energy Project Managers

Learn More About Careers

NCcareers.org
Explore North Carolina’s central online resource for students, parents, educators, job seekers and career counselors looking for high quality job and career information.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
Browse the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to view state and area employment and wage statistics. You can also identify and compare similar occupations based on your interests.

Career One Stop Videos
View videos that provide career details and information on wages, employment trends, skills needed, and more for any occupation. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Focus 2 Career Assessment (NC State student email address required)
This career, major and education planning system is available to current NC State students to learn about how your values, interests, competencies, and personality fit into the NC State majors and your future career. An NC State email address is required to create an account. Make an appointment with your career counselor to discuss the results.