Program Proposal for an Undergraduate Certificate

1. Name of the proposed undergraduate certificate.Soil Science

2. Name of the department(s) involved.Department of Agronomy

3. Name of contact person(s).Dr. Bradley Miller, Department of Agronomy (millerba@iastate.edu). Dr. Miller is thechair of the Soil Science Certificate committee.Dr. Michael Thompson, Department of Agronomy (mlthomps@iastate.edu). Dr.Thompson is the co-chair of the Soil Science Certificate committee.Dr. Richard Cruse Department of Agronomy (rmc@iastate.edu). Dr. Cruse is thedirector of graduate education for the Soil Science graduate program.

4. General description of the undergraduate certificate.The proposed Soil Science Certificate program consists of 31 or more credits, includingone required core course and a distribution of courses in key categories. The certificaterequirements are organized to correspond with qualification requirements for federalemployment as a soil scientist1and states’ education requirements to work as a certifiedor licensed soil scientist2. Nine of the credits must be at the 300 level or above. Allcourses applied to the Soil Science Certificate must be taken for a grade. A cumulativeGPA of 2.0 should be maintained by all participants to successfully complete theprogram and receive the certificate.

5. Need for the proposed undergraduate certificate.Soil science has key roles in achieving goals of sustainability as demonstrated by thefunctions of soil and their ecosystem services. Namely, soil is an important factor inaddressing issues of food scarcity, water management, climate change, biodiversityloss, and human health3. While demand for soil scientists in the agricultural industryremains high, the field is also expanding into areas of environmental quality, ecology,and sustainability.There is no minor, certificate, major, or secondary major by which an undergraduatestudent can show on their transcript that they have met a threshold of soil scienceexperience set by the faculty. This proposed certificate would provide a means for

1 U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). 2018. Soil Science Series, 0470. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/soil-science-series-0470/ 2 Soil Science Society of America (SSSA). 2018. Become Certified. https://www.soils.org/certifications/become-certified 3 Keesstra et al. 2016. The significance of soils and soil science towards realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. SOIL 2:111-128. doi:10.5194/soil-2-111-2016

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officially recognizing students who have reached a level of competency in soil science. Students who complete the Iowa State University soil science certificate program will qualify for federal employment as a soil scientist. In addition, students completing the certificate will have met the educational component of the Soil Science Society of America’s requirements for certification as a professional soil scientist and all U.S. states’ educational criteria for licensure as a professional soil scientist. Soil science is an area of study with great value to many undergraduate majors. Iowa State University enjoys a strong reputation globally for excellence in the training of soil scientists and advancing the discipline. Despite this international recognition of Iowa State University as a center for active soil science research, undergraduate students who take a significant number of soil science courses here do not currently have an official means to claim specifically the expertise they gained from such courses.

6. Objectives of the proposed undergraduate certificate including the student learning outcomes and how the learning outcomes will be assessed. Objectives The certificate in soil science will prepare students with the skills needed for successful careers in the field of soil science. Certificate requirements are designed to be commensurate will all forms of professional certification and licensure for employment as a soil scientist in the U.S. Learning Outcomes After completing the certificate in soil science, students will demonstrate:

a. A breadth of understanding of the biological, physical, or earth sciences, b. A core understanding of soil formation and functions, c. An ability to apply principles and concepts of soil science to solve problems

within an agricultural, environmental, and/or ecological framework, d. An ability to work with professionals in soil science and in other related

disciplines. Assessment Federal qualification standards for soil scientists set by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management will serve as the benchmark for the certificate. The basic requirements for this qualification are 30 semester hours (credits) in biological, physical, or earth science, with a minimum of 15 semester hours in such subjects as soil genesis, pedology, soil chemistry, soil physics, and soil fertility. Courses that are approved to meet the certificate requirements for soil science coursework will meet both learning objectives c and d.

Outcome Courses demonstrating competency in learning outcomes a. Completion of 15 credits in the biological, physical, or earth sciences b. and d. Agron 182: Introduction to Soil Science c. and d. Completion of 13 credits in soil science coursework

7. Relationship of the undergraduate certificate to other programs at Iowa State University. There are no other undergraduate programs at ISU that meet the objectives of the soil science certificate. Coursework in the agronomy major contributes heavily to content useful to students pursuing careers in soil science, but degree requirements for the Agronomy undergraduate program do not reach the level of concentration proposed by this certificate. The certificate itself is likely to benefit students in multiple majors that have connections with soil science. This will allow students from majors outside of agronomy (e.g., environmental sciences, geology, forestry, horticulture, community and regional planning) to develop a concentrated set of coursework around soil science.

8. Relationship of the undergraduate certificate to the strategic plans of the university, of the college, and of department or program. Soil science is a long-standing area of excellence at Iowa State University. By creating a Soil Science certificate, undergraduate students will be able to document formally their expertise in this area. As a result, those students will have increased the value of their educational experience and increased their opportunities for employment.

9. Comparison of the proposed undergraduate certificate with similar programs at other universities, including the Regent’s universities. Although a few soil science courses are taught at other Iowa Regent universities, Iowa State University has the only collection of soil science courses capable of meeting the outlined standards in soil science expertise. A search for other Soil Science Certificate programs found existing programs at South Dakota State University (SDSU) and North Carolina State University (NCSU). The certificate program at SDSU requires 21 credits, with six required courses and one soils elective. By itself, a Soil Science Certificate from SDSU would not qualify a student to be classified as a soil scientist in the U.S. Federal Government. However, pairing the certificate with a major in the biological, physical or earth sciences would fulfill those requirements. The Soil Science Certificate at NCSU is an online program specifically targeted towards meeting federal standards. To enter the program, students must have already completed two semesters of chemistry, one semester of physics, one semester of biology, and mathematics through algebra and trigonometry. Completing these prerequisite courses does not fully meet the general science requirements for the federal classification. The program itself covers the 15 credits of federally required soil science courses. Within those 15 credits, an introductory soil science course is required; the remaining are chosen from a list of soil science electives.

10. Program requirements and procedures, including: Organization of the certificate: The overall program is divided into three categories: Foundation course (3 credits), Supporting Science courses (15 credits), and Soil Science courses (13 credits). For courses to qualify as a supporting science course, they must be from the biological, physical or earth sciences. For a course to qualify as a soil science course, it must have soil as the primary subject of study and meet learning outcomes described in 6.c. and 6.d. The Soil Science Certificate administrative committee will approve new supporting science and soil science courses, as well as review them periodically to ensure that they continue to meet program objectives. Foundation (3 credits) Agron 182 (Introduction to Soil Science) 3 cr. Supporting Biological, Physical, or Earth Sciences (15 credits) Preapproved list (see attached) from the following designators: ABE, AGRON, A ECL, BIOL, CHEM, CE, CRP, ENSCI, ENT, FOR, GEOL, HORT, LA, MTEOR, MICRO, NREM, PHYS Soil Science (Total of 13 credits with at least 2 credits from each of the categories below and 9 credits of which at the 300-level or above) Soil Physical Properties or Soil Water Relationships:

Agron 282 (Soil Conservation and Land Use) 3 cr. Agron 360 (Environmental Soil Science) 3 cr. Agron 405 (Environmental Biophysics) 3 cr. Agron 477 (Soil Physics) 3 cr. ABE 431 (Design and Evaluation of Soil and Water Conservation Sys.) 3 cr. TSM 324 (Soil and Water Conservation Management) 3 cr.

Soil Chemistry:

Agron 259 (Organic Compounds in Plants and Soils) 3 cr. Agron 459 (Environmental Soil and Water Chemistry) 4 cr.

Soil Biology:

Agron 354 (Soils and Plant Growth) 3 cr. Agron 354L (Soils and Plant Growth Lab) 1 cr. Agron 485 (Soil and Environmental Microbiology) 3 cr.

Soil Morphology and Geography:

Agron 270X (Geospatial Technologies) 3 cr. Agron 370 (Field Experience in Soil Description and Interpretation) 1 cr. Agron 463 (Soil Formation and Landscape Relationships) 3 cr. Agron 463L (Soil Formation and Landscape Relationships Lab) 1 cr.

prerequisites for prospective students; Other than the general requirements of an undergraduate degree or current enrollment in a degree program and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.0, there are no specific prerequisites for the certificate. However, the one required course for the certificate has a prerequisite of one semester of college-level chemistry. a. application and selection process; As per ISU rules, the certificate is available only to students pursuing a baccalaureate degree at ISU or students that currently hold a baccalaureate degree. b. language requirements; Students must be able to communicate in English because the courses and assessments are conducted in English. There are no other language requirements for this certificate. c. courses and seminars presently available for credit toward the program; Agron 182: Introduction to Soil Science Agron 259: Organic Compounds in Plants and Soils Agron 270X: Geospatial Technologies Agron 282: Soil Conservation and Land Use Agron 354: Soils and Plant Growth Agron 354L: Soils and Plant Growth Lab Agron 360: Environmental Soil Science Agron 370: Field Experience in Soil Description and Interpretation Agron 405: Environmental Biophysics Agron 459: Environmental Soil and Water Chemistry Agron 463: Soil Formation and Landscape Relationships Agron 463L: Soil Formation and Landscape Relationships Lab Agron 477: Soil Physics Agron 485: Soil and Environmental Microbiology ABE: 431: Design and Evaluation of Soil and Water Conservation Systems TSM 324: Soil and Water Conservation Management d. proposed new courses or modifications of existing courses; No modifications and no new courses are being proposed. The objective of this proposal is to package courses that students are already taking so they can receive formal recognition for achieving a threshold of specialization in soil science. e. advising of certificate students; The Soil Science Certificate administrative committee will advise certificate students.

f. implications for related areas within the university. Students from a wide variety of majors already take multiple soil science courses. The Soil Science certificate provides the opportunity for undergraduate students to document a concentration in soil science, regardless of major.

11. General description of the resources currently available and future resource needs, in terms of: a. faculty members; Faculty positions for teaching the existing elective courses listed in 10.d will continue to be needed to sustain the Soil Science Certificate. As enrollment expands, new resources or reallocation of available resources may be necessary. The tuition revenue generated from teaching the soil science courses is anticipated to offset the expended resources. b. computers, laboratories, and other facilities; Because no new courses are needed to create a complete program, the infrastructure is already in place. As course enrollments increase, there may be a need for enhanced teaching facilities. c. library facilities (journals, documents, etc.) in the proposed area; Library facilities already provide support for Soil Science faculty along with undergraduate and graduate students that take soil science courses. No additional resource needs are anticipated. d. supplies, fieldwork, student recruitment, etc. The Agronomy Department’s support staff, advisors, and faculty currently support soil science teaching and recruitment activities for the agronomy major (current enrollment in Agronomy is approximately 300 undergraduate majors), including double and multiple majors. No additional resources or supplies are anticipated.

12. Describe the needs for new resources and/or reallocated resources. Attach to the program proposal memos from the department chair(s), the college dean(s), and other appropriate persons, agreeing to the allocation of new resources and/or the reallocation of resources. Courses will be taught by the program faculty as part of their regular responsibilities. The Agronomy Department does not envision the need for any additional resources except possibly additional graduate assistants to help with grading and recording of grades, should enrollments increase.

13. Attach to the program proposal, letters of support, recommendations, and statements when appropriate, from programs and departments at ISU which are associated with the proposed program or have an interest in the proposed program. Attached are letters of support from the following departments/programs: Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering; Natural Resources Ecology and Management; Geological and Atmospheric Sciences; Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering; Agricultural Education and Studies; and Environmental Science. The Department of Horticulture was contacted multiple times but did not respond.

14. If the new program is interdisciplinary, a governance document should be created and submitted to the Associate Provost for Academic Programs. Indicate here that it has been completed. The Soil Science Certificate will be offered through the Agronomy Department. The Agronomy Department currently offers an undergraduate major and minor in agronomy, so a governance document is not warranted.

List of Courses for Meeting the Supporting Sciences Requirement for the Soil Science Certificate

Course Title CreditsABE 380 Principles of Biological Systems Engineering 3ABE 432 Nonpoint Source Pollution and Control 3ABE 436 Design and Evaluation of Soil and Water Monitoring Systems 3ABE 437 Watershed Modeling and Policy 3ABE 480 Engineering Analysis of Biological Systems 3Agron 180 Global Agriculture in a Changing World 3Agron 181 Introduction to Crop Science 3Agron 183 Basic Skills for Agronomists 1Agron 279 Field Exploration of Agronomy 3Agron 280 Crop Development, Production, and Management 3Agron 281 Crop Physiology 3Agron 316 Crop Structure-Function Relationships 3Agron 317 Principles of Weed Science 3Agron 320 Genetics, Agriculture, and Biotechnology 3Agron 334 Forage Crop Management 3Agron 338 Seed Science and Technology 3Agron 392 Systems Analysis in Crop and Soil Management 3Agron 421 Introduction to Plant Breedgin 3Agron 446 International Issues and Challenges in Sustainable Development 3A Ecl 312 Ecology 4A Ecl 312I Ecology 4A Ecl 365 Vertebrate Biology 4A Ecl 366 Natural History of Iowa Vertebrates 3A Ecl 371 Ecological Methods 3A Ecl 415 Ecology of Freshwater Invertebrates, Plants, and Algae 3A Ecl 418 Stream Ecology 3A Ecl 419I Vertebrate Ecology and Evolution 4A Ecl 420I Amphibians and Reptiles 2A Ecl 457 Herpetology 2A Ecl 457L Herpetology Laboratory 1A Ecl 459 Mammalogy 2A Ecl 459L Mammalogy Lab 1A Ecl 486 Aquatic Ecology 3A Ecl 486L Aquatic Ecology Laboratory 1A Ecl 489 Population Ecology 3Biol 204 Biodiversity 2Biol 211 Principles of Biology I 3Biol 211L Principles of Biology Laboratory I 1Biol 212 Principles of Biology II 3Biol 212L Principles of Biology Laboratory II 1Biol 251 Biological Processes in the Environment 3Biol 364 Invertebrate Biology 3Biol 366 Plant Systematics 4Biol 370 GIS for Ecology and Environmental Science 1 to 6

Biol 371 Ecological Methods 3Biol 381 Environmental Systems II: Analysis of Environmental Systems 3Biol 382 Environmental Systems I: Introduction to Environmental Systems 3Biol 393 North American Field Trips in Biology 1 to 4Biol 451 Plant Evolution and Phylogeny 4Biol 455 Bryophyte and Lichen Biodiversity 3Biol 456 Principles of Mycology 3Biol 457 Herpetology 2Biol 457L Herpetology Laboratory 1Biol 464 Wetland Ecology 3Biol 471 Introductory Conservation Biology 3Biol 472 Community Ecology 3Biol 474 Plant Ecology 3Biol 476 Functional Ecology 3Biol 487 Microbial Ecology 3Chem 163 College Chemistry 4Chem 163L Laboratory in College Chemistry 1Chem 167 General Chemistry for Engineering Students 4Chem 167L Laboratory in General Chemistry for Engineering 1Chem 177 General Chemistry I 4Chem 177L Laboratory in General Chemistry I 1Chem 178 General Chemistry II 3Chem 178L Laboraotry in General Chemistry II 1Chem 201 Advanced General Chemistry 5Chem 201L Laboratory in Advanced General Chemistry 1Chem 211 Quantitative and Environmental Analysis 2Chem 211L Quantitative and Environmental Analysis Laboratory 1Chem 231 Elementary Organic Chemistry 3Chem 231L Laboratory in Elementary Organic Chemistry 1Chem 301 Inorganic Chemistry 2Chem 316 Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis 2Chem 316L Instrumental Analysis Laboratory 2Chem 321L Laboratory in Physical Chemistry 2Chem 322L Laboratory in Physical Chemistry 3Chem 324 Introductory Quantum Mechanics 3Chem 325 Chemical Thermodynamics 3Chem 331 Organic Chemistry I 3Chem 331L Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I 1Chem 332 Organic Chemistry II 3Chem 332L Laboratory in Organic Chemistry II 1Chem 333L Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I 2Chem 334L Laboratory in Organic Chemistry II 2Chem 401L Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory 1Chem 402 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 3CE 111 Fundamentals of Surveying I 3CE 326 Principles of Environmental Engineering 3CE 360 Geotechnical Engineering 3

CE 372 Engineering Hydrology and Hydraulics 3CE 388 Sustainable Engineering and International Development 3CE 417 Land Surveying 3CE 420 Environmental Engineering Chemistry 3CE 421 Environmental Biotechnology 3CE 428 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Design 3CE 467 Geomaterials Stabilization 3CE 473 Groundwater Hydrology 3CRP 251 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 3CRP 293 Environmental Planning 3CRP 451 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 3CRP 454 Fundamentals of Remote Sensing 3CRP 456 GIS Programming and Automation 3CRP 484 Sustainable Communities 3EnSci 250 Environmental Geography 3EnSci 251 Biological Processes in the Environment 3EnSci 370 GIS for Ecology and Environmental Science 1 to 6EnSci 381 Environmental Systems I: Introduction to Environmental Systems 3EnSci 382 Environmental Systems II: Analysis of Environmental Systems 3EnSci 402l Watershed Hydrology and Surficial Processes 4EnSci 422l Prairie Ecology 4Ent 201 Introduction to Insects 1Ent 370 Insect Biology 3Ent 375 Plant Protection Using Natural Enemies 3Ent 471 Insect Ecology 3For 201 Forest Biology 2For 302 Silviculture 3For 356 Dendrology 3For 358 Forest Herbaceous Layer: Ecology and Identification 1For 416 Forest Insects and Diseases 3For 416L Forest Insects and Diseases Laboratory 1For 442 Dynamics of Forest Stands 3For 454 Forestry Practicum 3For 475 Urban Forestry 3Geol 100 The Earth 3Geol 100L The Earth: Laboratory 1Geol 102 History of the Earth 3Geol 102L History of the Earth: Laboratory 1Geol 111 Geological Disasters 1Geol 201 Geology for Engineers and Environmental Scientists 3Geol 306 Geology Field Course 1 or 2Geol 315 Mineralogy and Earth Materials 3Geol 315L Laboratory in Mineralogy and Earth Materials 1Geol 316 Optical Mineralogy 2Geol 324 Energy and the Environment 3Geol 356 Structural Geology and Tectonics 4Geol 365 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology 3

Geol 368 Sedimentary Geology 4Geol 402 Watershed Hydrology 3Geol 409 Field Methods in Hydrogeology 3Geol 411 Hydrogeology 4Geol 414 Applied Groundwater Flow Modeling 3Geol 415 Paleoclimatology 3Geol 416 Hydrologic Modeling and Analysis 3Geol 419 Aqueous and Environmental Geochemistry 3Geol 420 Mineral Resources 3Geol 426 Stable Isotopes in the Environment 3Geol 451 Applied and Environmental Geophysics 3Geol 452 GIS for Geoscientists 3Geol 457 Seismic Methods in Geology, Engineering, and Petroleum Exploration 3Geol 474 Glacial and Quaternary Geology 3Geol 479 Surficial Processes 3Geol 487 Microbial Ecology 3Geol 488 GIS for Geoscientists II 3Geol 489 Survey of Remote Sensing Technologies 3Geol 489L Satellite Remote Sensing Laboratory 1Hort 121 Home Horticulture 2Hort 122 Hands-on Horticulture 1Hort 221 Principles of Horticulture Science 3Hort 240 Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines for Landscaping 3Hort 276 Understanding Grape and Wine Science 3Hort 321 Horticulture Physiology 3Hort 330 Herbaceous Ornamental Plants 3Hort 341 Woody Plant Cultivars: Shade Trees, Ornamental Trees and Woody Shrubs 2Hort 342 Landscape Plant Installation, Establishment, and Maintenance 3Hort 351 Turfgrass Establishment and Management 3Hort 351L Turfgrass Establishment and Management Lab 1Hort 376 Fundamentals of Field Production of Horticultural Food Crops 3Hort 451 Professional Turfgrass Management 2Hort 452 Integrated Management of Diseases and Insects Pests of Turfgrass 3Hort 454 Turf & Landscape Irrigation 3Hort 484 Organic Agricultural Theory and Practice 3LA 221 Native Plants of the Savanna Ecotone 3LA 281 Investigating Landscape Form, Process, and Detail 3LA 282 Landscape Dynamics 3LA 302 Ecological Design at the Regional Scale 6LA 322 Fundamentals of Planting Design 3Mteor 107 Severe and Hazardous Weather 1Mteor 111 Synoptic Applications 1Mteor 206 Introduction to Weather and Climate 3Mteor 301 General Meteorology 4Mteor 311 Introduction to Synoptic Meteorology 2Mteor 341 Atmospheric Physics I 3Mteor 342 Atmospheric Physics II 3

Mteor 404 Global Change 3Mteor 406 World Climates 3Mteor 407 Mesoscale Meteorology 3Mteor 432 Instrumentation and Measurements 3Mteor 452 Climate Modeling 3Micro 201 Introduction to Microbiology 2Micro 201L Introductory Microbial Laboratory 1Micro 302 Biology of Microorganisms 3NREM 301 Natural Resource Ecology and Soils 4NREM 407 Watershed Management 4NREM 345 Natural Resource Photogrammetry and Geographic Information Systems 3NREM 357 Midwestern Prairie Plants 1NREM 390 Fire Ecology and Management 3NREM 446 Integrating GPS and GIS for Natural Resource Management 3NREM 452 Ecosystem Management 3NREM 465 Landscape Change and Conservation 3NREM 466 Ecosystem Service Management 3Phys 111 General Physics 5Phys 112 General Physics 5Phys 115 Physics for the Life Sciences 4Phys 115L Laboraotry in Physics for the Life Sciences 1Phys 221 Introduction to Classical Physics I 5Phys 222 Introduction to Classical Physics II 5Phys 241 Principles and Symmetries in Classical Physics I 5Phys 242 Principles and Symmetries in Classical Physics II 5Phys 304 Thermal Physics 3Phys 321 Introduction to Modern Physics I 3Phys 321L Introductory Laboratory to Modern Physics I 3Phys 322 Introduction to Modern Physics II 3Phys 322L Introductory Laboratory to Modern Physics II 3Phys 421 Ultrafast Laser Science and Spectroscopy 3

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Date:

To:

From:

RE:

May 13, 2019

Bradley Miller, Assistant Professor/Department of Agronomy /

Kendall Lam key, Chair/ 1 /J / j

Department of Agronomy / /(}IV\

Undergraduate Soil Science Certificate proposal

Deparlrnent of Agronomy

Crop, Soil, a11cl E11viro11111ental Sciences

Ames, Iowa 50011-1010

515 294-1360

FAX 515 294-3163

The Department of Agronomy fully supports the creation of the Undergraduate Soil Science Certificate. The certificate will be an excellent addition to both our and the university's curriculum.

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY O F S C I E N C E A N D T E C H N O L O G Y

Department of Geological and

Atmospheric Sciences

253 Science I

2237 Osborn Drive

Ames, Iowa 50011-3212

515 294-4477

FAX 515 294-6049

Date: May 16, 2019

To: Bradley Miller, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Agronomy

From: Kristie Franz, Chair, Dept. of Geological & Atmospheric Sciences

RE: Undergraduate Soil Science Certificate program proposal

The Department of Geological & Atmospheric Sciences (GeAt) supports this proposal to create an undergraduate Soil Science Certificate program. This program will be particularly relevant to GeAt students who are interested in environmental geology by proving an additional avenue for those students to specialize their academic program. This certificate program does not conflict with any major or minor degree programs offered by GeAt.

Sincerely,

Kristie Franz Chair, Department of Geological & Atmospheric Sciences kfranz@iastate.edu (515) 294-1837

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITYO F S C I E N C E A N D T E C H N O L O G Y

Date: December 14, 2018

To: Bradley Miller, Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy

From: Timothy Stewart, Associate Professor and NREM Curriculum Committee Chair

RE: Undergraduate Soil Science Certificate program proposal

The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management fully supports this proposal to create an undergraduate Soil Science Certificate program. This program will provide additional professional opportunities for our students, and we look forward to supporting the program by offering courses that will enable students from all majors to meet certificate requirements.

Sincerely,

Timothy W. Stewart Natural Resource Ecology and Management twstewar@iastate.edu (515) 294-1644

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department of Natural Resource

Ecology and Management

339 Science II

Ames, Iowa 50011-3221

515 294-1458

FAX 515 294-2995

1

Miller, Bradley A [AGRON]

From: Kaleita-Forbes, Amy L [A B E]Sent: Tuesday, May 7, 2019 4:14 PMTo: Miller, Bradley A [AGRON]Subject: Soil Science Certificate proposal

Dr. Miller, 

In my role as Associate Chair for Teaching for the Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering, I have reviewed Soil Science Certificate proposal, and in my opinion the proposed certificate is complementary to several of the degree programs in this department. In addition to my Associate Chair role, I am also the Vice Chair of our engineering undergraduate curriculum committee, and the chair of our Graduate Programs Committee. There may be interested undergraduate students from Agricultural Engineering (Land & Water Resources option), and from Agricultural Systems Technology (Biosystems Management option). In addition, there may be graduate students in our Land & Water Resources group for whom the Soil Science Certificate would be desirable. At the graduate level we have had several students do a co‐major in Soil Science, and the possibility of a certificate option may appeal to additional students.  

I have discussed the certificate with Dr. Tom Brumm, who chairs our Technology Curriculum Committee, who agrees that the proposed certificate may be of interest to some of our students. Furthermore, as Soil Science is the domain of the existing Department of Agronomy Soil Science program and emphasis area, we do not feel that the proposed certificate would be viewed by anyone in ABE as competing for students with the programs in our department, but rather could be an educational value‐add for students with primary interests in ABE.  

Regards, 

Amy 

AMY KALEITA, PHD, PE PROFESSOR & ASSOCIATE CHAIR FOR TEACHING AGRICULTURAL & BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING | IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY Office: 3352 Elings Hall | Phone: 515-294-5167 | Email: kaleita@iastate.edu Schedule: https://bit.ly/2KLaj6T - use ‘week’ tab for best view 

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITYOF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

May 8, 2019

Dr. Bradley Miller, Assistant Professor Department of Agronomy Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 50011

Dear Dr. Miller:

On behalf of ISU’s undergraduate Environmental Science Program, I am delighted to support your proposed Soil Science Certificate. I have reviewed the prospectus for this new certificate and its draft curriculum and find the proposal to be thorough, well-articulated and compelling. It is clear that the proposed certificate would provide an attractive option for students in Environmental Science as well as many other disciplines across ISU’s Colleges of Design, LAS, Engineering and CALS. I offer my enthusiastic and unqualified support for this initiative.

Please let me know if there is anything more we can do in support of your proposal or in implementing this new certificate.

Sincerely,

William G. Crumpton, Chair of Environmental Science Undergraduate Program

Environmental Science Program 103 Bessey Hall Ames, Iowa 50011

1

Miller, Bradley A [AGRON]

From: Rehmann, Chris R [CCE E]Sent: Saturday, May 4, 2019 9:45 AMTo: Miller, Bradley A [AGRON]Cc: Sanders, David H [CCE E]Subject: RE: Soil Science Certificate Proposal

Bradley, 

I apologize for the lack of a response. Your proposal looks good to me, and I have no objections. 

Of the supporting science courses in CE, I would say the most relevant for soil science are C E 360, 372, 467, and 473. We’ve deleted C E 440 from the catalog. The other courses are fine—just with less coverage of soil.  

I’ve copied my department chair, David Sanders, since he would have the final word on support from CCEE. 

Best wishes for this certificate! 

Chris 

From: Miller, Bradley A [AGRON]  Sent: Friday, May 3, 2019 10:43 AM To: Rehmann, Chris R [CCE E] <rehmann@iastate.edu> Subject: RE: Soil Science Certificate Proposal 

Dear Dr. Rehmann, 

I am following up on my email from several months ago regarding a proposal to create a soil science certificate. I understand the email overload and how semesters can become busy. Dr. Kaleita‐Forbes and Dr. Brumm in ABE suggested you as the best contact in CCEE regarding this proposal. On the recommendation of your department chair, I have also emailed several of your department colleagues. If I should be contacting someone else, please let me know. For your reference, I’ve attached the proposal to this email. 

Would you please email me back to let me know if the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering has any objections to this proposal? I would also be happy to meet with anyone who would like to discuss this further. 

All the best, ‐Bradley 

From: Miller, Bradley A [AGRON]  Sent: Thursday, January 3, 2019 1:11 PM To: Rehmann, Chris R [CCE E] <rehmann@iastate.edu> Subject: Soil Science Certificate Proposal 

Dear Dr. Rehmann, 

I hope you had a successful holiday season. I’m working on a proposal for an undergraduate certificate in Soil Science. I contacted Dr. Sanders who helped me by passing on the proposal information to the CEEE faculty he thought might be 

2

affected by it. However, after meeting with Dr. Kaleita‐Forbes and Dr. Brumm in ABE, they suggested I contact you directly. 

The idea is to make soil science more available to students outside of agronomy and provide students interested in soil science guidance towards meeting federal and state requirements to work as a soil scientist. Would you be available to meet with me to discuss how this certificate may affect your department? 

In case it is helpful, I’ve attached a copy of the current draft of the proposal. 

All the best, ‐Bradley 

‐‐‐ Bradley Miller Assistant Professor in Soil Informatics, Department of Agronomy Iowa State University 

Fellow, Institute of Soil Landscape Research Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) 

“The richness of science no longer lies in the abundance of facts but in their linkage.”  ‐Alexander von Humboldt 

1

Miller, Bradley A [AGRON]

From: Hunt, Kathleen P [AGEDS]Sent: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 9:10 AMTo: Miller, Bradley A [AGRON]Subject: FW: Soil Science Minor

Good morning, Bradley, 

The Ag Studies curriculum team has reviewed the proposed soil science minor. Their feedback is forwarded below. 

All the best, Katie 

Dr. Kathleen P. Hunt Assistant Professor, Agricultural Communication Department of Agricultural Education & Studies Affiliate Faculty, Sustainable Agriculture Graduate Program  Iowa State University Ames, IA USA 

“When you think of farms and you think of agriculture, do you mean to tell me it isn’t about food?” Congressman David Scott, Georgia 

“Eating is an agricultural act.”‐ Wendell Berry, The Pleasures of Eating 

From: Chamberlain, Ben [AGEDS] <bchamber@iastate.edu>  Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2019 3:38 PM To: Hunt, Kathleen P [AGEDS] <kphunt@iastate.edu> Subject: Soil Science Minor 

Hi Katie, 

The Ag Studies curriculum committee met on Monday and discussed the Soil Science minor.  We appreciated the opportunity to review it. 

Overall, we think it’s a good minor that will serve students interested in soils well. 

It was thought that due to some of the minor required courses, this will only appeal to a small number of students in our major.  This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but the thought is that the soil chemistry courses may be a rough go for some. 

Thanks, Ben 

Ben Chamberlain, Coordinator of Academic Advising Iowa State University Department of Agricultural Education and Studies 318 Curtiss Hall 513 Farmhouse Lane Ames, IA 50011 515‐294‐4655 (voice) 

Academic Program Approval Voting Record

This document is to be appended as the last page of the proposal for any new or revised

academic program to record the successive votes of approval as the proposal moves through its

required review and approval steps. Consult Faculty Handbook Section 10.8 or the Faculty

Senate Curriculum Committee website for information regarding Committee review and voting

requirements for each action.

Curricular Action: (check appropriate boxes below)

1. □ New Program □ Name Change □ Discontinuation □ Concurrent Degree for:

2. □ Undergraduate Major □ Graduate Major □ Undergraduate Minor □ Graduate Minor

□ Undergraduate Certificate □ Graduate Certificate □ Other: ___________________

3. Name of Proposed Change: ____________________________________________________

4. Name of Contact Person: e-mail address: ________________

5. Primary College: Secondary College:

6. Involved Department(s):

Voting record for this curricular action:

Votes

Voting Body For Against Abstain Date of Vote

College Curriculum Committee

College Approval Vote

Graduate Council

Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee

Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Council

Faculty Senate

[FSCC – November 2013]

Bradley Miller millerba@iastate.edu

Agriculture & Life Sciences

Agronomy

Soil Science

0 030 April 2019

Agronomy Department FacultyAgronomy Curriculum Committee

31 0 07 0 08 2 April 2019

10 October 2019

Soil Science Faculty

13 0 0 25 October 2019

137 0 5 25 November 2019

6 0 0 22 January 20206 0 0 29 January 2020