Soil Science Option . The Bachelor of Science earned through the Soil Science Option provides the specialized training required by students whose professional interests demand a detailed understanding of the soil environment in areas such as agriculture, hazardous waste- site clean up, groundwater quality control, ecosystem restoration, and forest and range management. Qualified students who complete this option can enter UCR's graduate program in Soil Science. Classroom studies can be supplemented by participating in the various research activities offered by the Department. Students can gain training and experience as part-time employees in the Department's research laboratories and other research facilities located on campus, such as the Statewide Air Pollution Research Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil and Water Research Service.
Some students conduct their own research under faculty supervision while earning academic credit.
Expenses for both laboratory and field experiments can be funded by UCR's mini-grant program, which supports undergraduate research and creative activity. The Environmental Internship Program offers students opportunities to work with government agencies, private firms, and nonprofit organizations involved in environmental affairs. As excursions into professional life, internships provide hands-on experience in applying the principles presented in the classroom. The professional acquaintances established during internships can continue to serve as important contacts for students after graduation. The University Honors Program, offering lower-division courses taught by distinguished faculty, introduces undergraduates to the challenges and rewards of scholarship and research from the beginning of their undergraduate careers.