What You Will Learn

Increasing unpredictability in precipitation patterns and other environmental factors often lead to modifications of prior crop management practices. Fertilizers and application methods themselves have improved during the past few decades. Integrating new fertilizer technology is now available to improve nutrient uptake efficiency and provide adequate fertilizer nutrients and protect the environment. Keeping up with the latest science and technology in this area will benefit agriculture and the environment as well.

Students will learn about soil nutrient interactions, irrigation effects of nutrient leaching, improved interpretation of soil test-based fertilizer recommendations, and technology-based fertilizer formulations to reduce environmental impacts of agriculture. The certificate could be rolled into a MS degree at a later date if desired.

Prospective Students

• Agricultural producers, production managers, nutrition and irrigation managers
• Agricultural consultants, fertilizer product and sales representatives,
• Fertilizer industry professionals, formulators,
• Crop nutrient and environmental regulators, water management district personnel, best management practice implementors

The UF/IFAS Fertilizer Science and Technology Graduate Certificate requires 12 credit hours online including 3 required courses and 1 elective course chosen from the list below. Completion of the certificate program can take 16-22 months, but can be longer depending on the student’s chosen schedule. University of Florida course credits are available for certificate completion for up to 7 years. Prospective students can take one or more courses per semester depending on work schedule. Courses taken for the certificate can be applied to a MS or Ph.D. program at a later date.

Required courses (9 credits)

• SWS 5115 – Environmental nutrient management - 3 credits (on-line) Spring on even years
• SWS 6136 – Soil Nutrient Diagnostics for Ag Production - 3 credits (on-line) Summer
• SWS 6117 - Fertilizer Technology and Use
  Electives (choose one)
• SWS 5234 Environmental soil, water, and land use - 3 Credits
• SWS 6134 Soil quality -3 Credits
• AGR 6422C Environmental crop nutrition - 3 Credits
• HOS 6412 Nutrition of horticultural crops - 3 Credits

Example course schedule

• The formal certificate is expected to be available by Fall 2022, but you can begin your courses now to apply them to the certificate. To enroll submit the online application and pay the $30 application fee for the Fertilizer Science and Technology Graduate Certificate program, at least one month prior to the semester beginning.  In the certificate application process, the Office of Admissions must complete the following review before your application is referred to the Soil and Water Sciences Department. The following information must be provided.
• Application fee payment of $30
• Validation of transcripts and degrees
• Verification of residency classification

You are required to send an official transcripts from institution you received your Bachelor’s degree from to the UF Office of Admissions as soon as possible after applying to the address below:

UF Office of Admissions
201 Criser Hall
P.O. Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000

For assistance or questions with the application process, registration process, etc., please contact the Academic Advisor III – Undergraduate & Graduate Programs, Michael Sisk, by email (mjsisk@ufl.edu) or phone (352-294-3152).