Canadian Undergraduate Soil Science Education: 2015-2025 Trends and Future Vision

In 2015, the Soil Education Committee of the Canadian Society of Soil Science collected baseline data to benchmark the status of undergraduate soil science education in Canada. This current study reassessed that status ten years later by inventorying institutions, the soil science courses they offer, and supporting information on student enrolment, course delivery, educational activities, and programs that require soil science courses. There was a small (2 %) increase in the number of universities offering a soil science course, and no change with colleges. The number of introductory courses increased at universities (21 %), as did advanced courses at colleges (29 %); modest increases occurred in advanced university courses (1 %) and introductory college courses (6 %). In 2025, 143 university and 59 college programs required at least one soil science course, with non-agricultural programs (e.g., environmental science, geography, forestry, natural resource science) accounting for 68 % and 76 % of these programs, respectively. The modest growth in course offerings is encouraging, although regional disparities persist and financial pressures in the undergraduate sector may threaten course offerings and low enrolment programs. Repositioning soil science for prospective students and the public around grand challenges, emerging technologies, experiential learning, and diverse career pathways, rather than its traditional association with agriculture, may strengthen the visibility of soil science as an essential and relevant discipline.