Online Soil Physics Course and Class Overviews

Students in soil physics courses study the air and water properties of soil. Soil physics classes can often be completed entirely online, with lab elements performed at home, and are generally incorporated into undergraduate and graduate degree programs in horticulture and agriculture.

Overview of Online Soil Physics Courses

Soil physics is a branch of soil science concerned with physical components and properties, including density, permeability and ability to retain moisture. Courses in soil physics are available online, primarily as part of bachelor's or master's degree programs in agriculture, horticulture or engineering. Graduates are prepared for careers as scientists or engineers in such fields as food science, agriculture, conservation, geology or hydrology.

Course Requirements

Online soil physics course materials are typically delivered through textbooks and CD-ROMs as well as streaming media and interactive television seminars. Students must have Internet access in order to use online course management systems, like Blackboard, which allow students to communicate with peers and instructors, retrieve course materials and turn in assignments. Many soil physics courses also require students to purchase an at-home lab kit to perform experiments and tests.

List of Online Soil Physics Courses

Advanced Soil Physics Course

Typically offered as part of a horticulture or an agriculture degree program, this course offers instruction in the physical properties of soil. Coursework focuses on the levels and movement of water and air at varying temperatures in soil. Students learn measurement and analysis techniques in addition to applications for plant cultivation.

Soil Science Principles Course

This introductory course is included in many degree programs, from horticulture to environmental science. The curriculum provides a basic overview of soil chemistry and physics. Students learn terms to describe soil and develop a foundation to analyze soil processes and properties. The course may also include at-home lab work that covers soil fertilization, maintenance, hydration cycles and fertility.

Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management Course

Students in this class study different types of fertilizers and nutrient supplements as well as their physical effects on soil and crops. An emphasis is placed on creating solutions to produce optimal soil conditions and monitoring soil development with diagnostic tests. In order to acquire these skills, students are often required to perform lab experiments at home. This is an intermediate-level course primarily incorporated into agricultural degree programs.

Soil in Ecosystems and the Environment Course

This course is generally a component of an ecology or environmental science degree program, though it's also widely offered as an elective in agriculture and engineering programs. Material for this class is delivered through textbooks and streaming media and often requires at-home lab work. Students learn to examine the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil to recognize its role in a greater ecosystem. The curriculum may also cover the physical properties of water movement through soil as a means to study pollutants and waste disposal.