Learning more about soils

For primary and secondary schools

Soil education is offered within several subjects at primary and secondary schools. These include:

• agriculture
• biology
• chemistry
• earth science (at a senior level).

A learning module for chemistry teachers is available focusing on acid sulfate soils.

The module provides training and resources to help senior chemistry teachers use acid sulfate soils as a case study when teaching acid-base chemistry and other laboratory techniques (e.g. titrations).

Email soils@qld.gov.au for more information about the module.

Higher education

No Queensland universities offer a program entirely dedicated to soil science. However almost all undergraduate science degrees offer at least one subject centred on soils.

In addition, many institutions offer subjects discussing aspects of soil management from civil engineering and public health perspectives. Some may be taken as stand-alone subjects by people who meet prerequisite requirements or as electives by students enrolled in related degrees.

Contact universities directly if you are interested in undertaking soils subjects.

TAFE Queensland does not offer soil-specific courses, but a number of related topics are available, including horticulture and engineering at the certificate level.

For professionals

• The Queensland Government maintains a large collection of soil and land management information including fact sheets, best practice guidelines, technical reports and data. Much of this material is available from the:
  • library catalogue
  • Queensland Government Information Service
  • product delivery unit (by request via productdelivery@resources.qld.gov.au).
• Soil Science Australia (SSA) serves as the peak body for soil science professionals across Australia. The Queensland branch of SSA offers regular one-day refresher training courses on a variety of topics, including basic soils concepts and field skills. Many of the resources provided at previous Queensland refresher training courses are located on the SSA website. Also, the society administers the Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS) accreditation scheme.

More information

Email soils@qld.gov.au for more information about soil education opportunities in Queensland.