Doctor of Philosophy in Soils and Biogeochemistry

The Graduate Group in Soils and Biogeochemistry, hosted in the department of Land, Air and Water Resources, offers programs of study and research leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The Soils and Biogeochemistry Graduate Group focuses on the study of physical, chemical, and biological processes in diverse soils on a variety of landforms and ecosystems. The goal is to understand the complex processes of mass and energy flow that control agricultural and natural ecosystem functions, productivity, and sustainability. Research projects also explore impacts and implications of both natural and anthropogenic activitiesnotably climate change, land use change and pollutionon soil at different scales, from the plot to ecosystems, landscapes, regions, and the planet.

Topics of study include: mechanisms and monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions, pesticide and trace element adsorption on surfaces, mineral weathering, fate and transport of native and applied chemicals, soil microbial ecology, soil carbon sequestration, nutrient uptake and management, nutrient cycling through managed and wildland ecosystems, organic agriculture, above and below-ground biodiversity, soil erosion, conservation, ecosystem productivity and sustainability, role of soil in ecosystem services, and the study of soil evolution on the landscape. These studies are carried out within a framework of integrating the chemical, physical, and biological sciences that constitute the study of soils and biogeochemistry and often reflect a rich history of collaborating with farmers, environmental groups, regulators, and other relevant stakeholder groups. The Soils and Biogeochemistry program at UC Davis offers a unique opportunity to investigate soils throughout the diverse regions of California, in the US, and globally in a number of international projects. Studies target agricultural, forest and grassland, coastal, wetland and urban ecosystems.

Academic background and at least a 3.0/4.0 grade point average.
Your preparation and performance in courses that constitute basic preparation for advanced study in soil science. These include chemistry, physics, biology, calculus, and soil science or agronomy courses.
Verbal, Mathematics and Analytical Graduate Record Exam Scores. Subject exams are not required.
Three letters of recommendation.
TOEFL scores for applicants whose primary language is not English. A score of 550 for the paper test or a score of 80 for the Internet-based test is the minimum accepted by the group. For IELTS, the minimum band score required for admission is 7 on a 9-point scale.