| Agronomy and Soil Science
Sherman 101
1910 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8708
E-mail: soil1@avax.ctahr.hawaii.edu
Web: agrss.sherman.hawaii.edu/
Faculty
*S. A. El-Swaify, PhD (Chair)-soil and water conservation, salinity
I. S. Campbell, PhD-crop management, information systems
*R. S. de la Pena, PhD-crop management, root crops
*C. I. Evensen, PhD-water quality extension, environmental education
*J. H. Fownes, PhD-forest ecology
J. B. Friday, PhD-tropical forestry and agroforestry extension
*M. Habte, PhD-soil microbiology-biochemistry
*N. V. Hue, PhD-soil chemistry
*H. H. Keyser, PhD-soil microbiology, Rhizobium
*S. C. Miyasaka, PhD-alternative crops, nutrition
P. S. Motooka, PhD-weed science (forest/pastures)
*P. Singleton, PhD-legume BNF
*G. Uehara, PhD-systems simulation in international agriculture
*R. S. Yost, PhD-expert systems in soil management, fertility
Cooperating Graduate Faculty
D. Borthakur, PhD-biotechnology, Rhizobium
J. L. Brewbaker, PhD-crop breeding, agroforestry
Q. Li, PhD-environmental biochemistry
C. S. Tang, PhD-biochemistry of crops and soils
Affiliate Graduate Faculty
K. C. Ewel, PhD-ecology
F. C. Meinzer, PhD-crop physiology, water relations, gas exchange
*Graduate Faculty
Degrees and Certificates Offered: BS in agronomy and soil science, MS in agronomy and soil science, PhD in agronomy and soil science, Graduate Resource Management Certificate (see the "Interdisciplinary Programs" section within this Catalog), Environmental Studies Certificate (see the "Colleges of Arts and Sciences" section within this Catalog)
The Academic Program
Agronomy (AGRN) is the study of food, fiber, feed, and fuel crops and their physiology, interaction with the environment, and management from a systems perspective. Soil science (SOIL) is the study of natural land and soil resources and their effective management through the application of the principles of basic scientific disciplines, such as chemistry, physics, and biology, and technologies derived therefrom. Understanding the soil is required to intelligently manage and preserve this valuable natural resource. The combination of agronomy and soil science [AGRS] is a logical marriage of two interdependent subjects fundamental to implementing land use practices that are highly productive, sustainable, economically viable, and environmentally safe.
Students majoring in agronomy and soil science are involved in the full spectrum of subjects and activities required to understand and responsibly manage land, water, crops, and climate for the benefit of humankind. Modern scientific approaches and instruments allow agronomists to study soil-plant-atmosphere systems at all scales, from the microscopic level to large land areas. Many find great satisfaction in applying results from the laboratory to large-scale land-use problems. In recent years many students trained in agronomy and soil science have embarked on successful careers in ecological and environmental protection, in international institutions and organizations, and in farm-based agricultural industries. The department is one of only a few in the nation with a special commitment to international linkages with the developing world and the only department fully dedicated to crops and soils of the tropics.
Affiliations
The department's agroforestry and forest ecology programs are complemented by a special memorandum of understanding with the School of Forestry at the University of Idaho and at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Advising
Undergraduate students are advised by the department's undergraduate adviser. Undergraduate options are detailed in the following section. Graduate students are advised initially by an adviser or by the department's graduate program chair.
Undergraduate Study
Agronomists and soil scientists utilize fundamental knowledge in physics, chemistry, biology and physiology, genetics, and meteorology to solve basic and applied problems of field crops and soils. Crop and soil scientists work together to investigate problems in plant nutrition, soil fertility, groundwater quality, soil erosion and conservation, agroforestry, and cropping systems. Together they strive to match the requirements of crops to the characteristics of soils and climates. This program offers a BS degree in agronomy and soil science.
Bachelor's Degree
Requirements
Prior to entrance into the program, students should have the equivalent of two years of high school algebra.
- Students must complete a total of 128 credit hours
- Students must complete General Education Core requirements including the following:
- AREC 310
- BOT 101/101L or BIOL 171/171L
- CHEM 161/161L and 162/162L
- ECON 130
- Required courses for all options:
- AGRN 200
- CHEM 152/152L
- ENG 209
- SOIL 304 and 450
- AGRS 492
- Required courses for the agronomy option:
- BOT 470/470L
- 29 additional credit hours approved by the department
- Required courses for the crops option:
- AGRN 460
- AGRS 499
- BOT 470/470L
- MATH 140
- PHYS 151/151L
- 25 additional credit hours approved by the department
- Required courses for the soils option:
- SOIL 430 and 460
- AGRS 499
- MATH 140 and 205
- PHYS 151/151L
- 22 additional credit hours approved by the department
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