Introduction
The Senior Project is designed to allow undergraduate students develop and complete a practical research project. Students are encouraged to apply and expand upon the knowledge they have acquired from course work by conducting a systematic inquiry into a problem of significance. The project provides the individual with an opportunity to increase their expertise in a selected area of study, and perhaps add to the general body of knowledge in their major. For most students, this will be the culminating experience at Cal Poly.
Soil Science encompasses a wide variety of subjects for study. Select one area that is most suited to your interests. Possibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Soil fertility, fertilizers, plant nutrition.
Soil chemistry.
Soil genesis, morphology, taxonomy, mapping.
Soil physics.
Soil microbiology and biochemistry.
Soil and water conservation, land use planning.
Soil-plant water relations.
Soil and environmental quality.
Hazardous waste management.
Bioremediation.
Computer applications in soil science.
In selecting a specific topic, ideas must be gathered from past experiences, faculty input, and a thorough a review of literature. There is a tendency to select topics or problems that are too broad in scope or too complex for the limited time available to complete the senior project. The senior project advisor will assist in making the project a meaningful, but manageable activity. It should be done on a timely subject, but it is not necessary to seek areas of original research. Replicating an old experiment with new techniques or methods is quite satisfactory. Ideally, the senior project should have practical value, increase career opportunities, and provide an opportunity for the independent learning of new materials.