Soil Information Systems Course for Introductory Soil Science Education.

Modern technological advances and trends in soil science education require “new” soil science pedagogy and delivery of undergraduate soil science education materials in order to prepare the future STEM workforce for increasingly technology-dominated society. I have developed and tested a highly-successful innovative course in Soil Information Systems (FRN 204 at Clemson University and ENV 310 at University of South Carolina, Aiken), approved by multiple STEM disciplines, which require soil science in their curriculum.  The course has been taught for the past four years to a total of 168 students.  Overall, student responses to the questionnaire about their experience in Soil Information Systems course were positive, indicating that a new course can enhance undergraduate soil science education.  Since an introductory soil science course is often a requirement for many STEM disciplines such as Soil Science, Geology, Earth Sciences, Natural Resources Management and Policy, Fishing and Fisheries Science and Management, Forestry, Wildlife, Natural Resources and Conservation, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science and many others – it will have a broad indirect impact on the quality of education in those disciplines as well.