MSc in Soil Science

• Produce capable graduates with strong theoretical knowledge and practical skill for undertaking teaching, research, extension,  and consultancy activities in soils and  other land resources.
• Generate technologies and database in the areas of soil resources and other land resources management through research and disseminate  to the community through extension and community based trainings programs,
• Identify and enhance farmers’ indigenous knowledge on soil management through participatory research and extension,
• Provide technical advices, consultancy services and short term training to farmers, development agents and other stakeholders in the area of soil science,

• Applicants to the MSc program in Soil Science need to have a Bachelor of Sciences degree or related fields its equivalent in Soil Science, Soil and Water Conservation, Geology, Geography, Chemistry, Natural Resources Management, Plant Sciences, Horticultural Science, Biology, Environmental Science, Dry-land Agriculture, Forestry, Agricultural Engineering, Ecology, Rangeland Science   and other related fields with CGPA of 2.00 and above.
• Applicants of graduates from fields other than Soil Science, Natural Resources Management, Plant Sciences, Horticultural Science, Soil and Water Conservation, Agricultural Engineering, may have to remove their deficiencies by conducting selected undergraduate courses recommended by department graduate committee and the academic commission of the college. In addition, applicants must fulfill other admission criteria of Jimma University School of Graduate Studies.

• Undertake basic and applied or demand driven research in the different disciplines of soil sciences, generate and disseminate knowledge and innovations that contribute to the wise utilization of indispensable natural resources particularly soils.
• Generate and introduce new technologies in soil management, problematic soil amendment, use of fertilizers and tillage practices.
• Provide advice for different stakeholders   on appropriate use of soil and other land resources
• Engage in teaching and training activities in the field of soil sciences  and other land resources
• Manage and run soil, plant and water laboratory centers; work in multi-disciplinary teams; become entrepreneurs in the area of agriculture.

Graduation Requirement
The course works accounting for a total of 37credit hours including 3 credit hours of Developmental Team Training Program (DTTP) and 6 hours of thesis work. Thus, a minimum requirement of courses and thesis research shall be 43 credit hours. The MSc degree in Soil Science is awarded to candidates, who have satisfied the general graduation requirements, passed in all examinations on courses in the program (minimum CGPA of 3.0, only with one “C” grade without “F” and “D”) and successfully defended the theses. In addition, the eligibility of candidates for the MSc degree in Soil Science is subject to the fulfillment of all graduation requirements of the University.
Degree Nomenclature
The degree to be awarded for graduates shall be named as “Master of Sciences Degree in Agriculture (Specialization in Soil Science)” in English in Amaharic.
Duration of Study
The M.Sc degree in Soil Science program is completed within two academic years for regular admission. The course work is expected to be completed in the first academic year (two semesters) and thesis research work in the second year.  However, students who fail to complete within two years, permission for extension of the study period will be decided by DGC.