The department offers opportunities for study toward the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees with a major in Soil, Water, and Environmental Science. Three areas of emphasis are available: Environmental Science, Soil Science, and Soil-Plant-Water relations. Areas of concentration in Environmental Science include: environmental chemistry; environmental microbiology; contaminant transport; pollution management and remediation; water quality; and remote sensing of terrestrial ecosystems. Areas of concentration in Soil Science include: soil physics; soil chemistry; soil biology; soil genesis, morphology, and classification; and soil mineralogy. Areas of concentration in Soil-Plant-Water Relations include soil-water management, soil fertility, and plant nutrition. Theses and dissertations are required and must be prepared in acceptable formats according to department and Graduate College guidelines. A minor is available with a minimum of 12 units, which includes three of the following courses: SWES 525, 531, 562, 570 or 602. Details of the graduate program can be found in the Department's Graduate Student Handbook. Graduate study in the Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science is open to students with undergraduate preparation in biological, chemical, physical, earth or engineering sciences. A limited number of graduate teaching/research assistantships are available. The Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science brings together an interdisciplinary faculty of scientists, distinguished by their understanding of soil, water, and the environment, and their abilities to conduct research and facilitate planning toward the solution of environmental and resource use problems. Approximately 80 graduate students are currently enrolled in the department.