Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Master of Science Program in Soil Science and Environment

SDG Alignment for Master of Science Program in Soil Science and Environment

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Master of Science Program in Soil Science and Environment is fundamentally aligned with the core tenets of sustainable development, focusing on the critical nexus of agriculture, natural resource management, and environmental protection. The curriculum is designed to produce experts who can address the challenges of land degradation, pollution, and climate change, directly contributing to a broad spectrum of Sustainable Development Goals. The program's intensive focus on soil fertility, water management, and sustainable land use makes it a powerful contributor to SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). By integrating modern technologies like GIS and remote sensing, it drives innovation in environmental monitoring and management, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). Furthermore, its emphasis on pollution control, waste management, and ecological risk assessment connects directly to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The program's core mission to understand and mitigate the impacts of climate change positions it as a key contributor to SDG 13 (Climate Action). As an advanced research degree, it inherently promotes SDG 4 (Quality Education) and the collaborative spirit required for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

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Alignment Summary: This program directly addresses food security by focusing on the foundational element of all agriculture: soil. Courses on soil fertility, plant nutrition, and sustainable land management are designed to increase agricultural productivity and build resilient food systems capable of feeding a growing population sustainably.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 127 711	Advanced Soil Fertility	Supports Target 2.4 by teaching how to manage soil fertility to ensure productive and sustainable food production systems.
AG 127 715	Plant Nutrition Managements	Contributes to ending hunger by optimizing plant nutrient management for increased crop yields and food security.
AG 127 713	Rice Soils and Greenhouse Gases	Focuses on the sustainable production of rice, a staple food for billions, directly contributing to food security (Target 2.1).

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum contributes to good health by addressing the environmental sources of pollution that affect human well-being. By teaching methods to assess and remediate contaminated land and manage agricultural pollutants, the program helps reduce illnesses from hazardous chemicals and contamination.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 127 763	Ecological Risk Assessment and Remediation of Contaminated Land	Aligns with Target 3.9 by teaching methods to reduce illnesses from soil and water pollution through the remediation of contaminated sites.

SDG 4: Quality Education

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Alignment Summary: As a master's program, this curriculum provides high-quality, specialized education in a critical scientific field. It equips graduates with advanced technical and research skills for high-level employment in environmental science and sustainable agriculture, fostering lifelong learning and the creation of new knowledge to solve global challenges.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 127 705	Research Methods in Soil Science and Environment	Directly supports Target 4.4 by equipping students with advanced technical and research skills for employment and entrepreneurship in environmental and agricultural sciences.
AG 127 891 / 892	Seminar in Soil Science and Environment I / II	Enhances lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3) by providing graduate-level training in scientific communication and critical analysis.
AG 127 898 / 899	Thesis	Represents a capstone lifelong learning opportunity (Target 4.3), where students conduct original research, acquiring superior technical skills for employment and innovation (Target 4.4).

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

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Alignment Summary: The program places a strong emphasis on protecting water resources from agricultural pollution and managing water sustainably. Courses cover soil-water relationships, water security, and pollution management, directly contributing to the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 127 712	Soil Water and Plant Relationships	Contributes to increasing water-use efficiency (Target 6.4) by teaching the principles of water movement and use in agricultural systems.
AG 127 743	Agricultural Pollution and Management	Directly addresses the need to improve water quality by reducing pollution from agricultural activities (Target 6.3).
AG 127 765	Water Security and Climate Change	Aligns explicitly with SDG 6 by focusing on integrated water resources management and the challenges of ensuring water security for all (Target 6.5).

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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Alignment Summary: This research-intensive program drives innovation by applying modern technologies to solve agricultural and environmental challenges. Through advanced courses in remote sensing, GIS, and biotechnology, it fosters the development of new tools and sustainable practices that enhance the industry's productivity and reduce its environmental impact.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 127 733	Remote Sensing and Image Processing in Agriculture and Environment	Supports Target 9.5 by enhancing scientific research and upgrading technological capabilities through the application of advanced monitoring technologies.
AG 127 735	Geographic Information System in Agriculture and Environment	Promotes innovation by using GIS for advanced spatial analysis, fostering more sustainable and technologically advanced agricultural and environmental management (Target 9.5).
AG 127 762	Soil Biotechnology	Contributes to clean and environmentally sound technologies (Target 9.4) by applying biotechnology for purposes like bioremediation and improving soil health.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

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Alignment Summary: The program contributes to creating sustainable communities by providing expertise in land use planning and environmental management. Courses on land evaluation and the remediation of contaminated sites are crucial for ensuring that urban and rural development is safe, resilient, and environmentally sound.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 127 763	Ecological Risk Assessment and Remediation of Contaminated Land	Supports Target 11.1 by providing the skills to make human settlements safe through the remediation of contaminated industrial and agricultural lands.
AG 127 764	Advanced Land Evaluation and Land Use Planning	Directly addresses Target 11.3 by teaching participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum strongly promotes sustainable production patterns by focusing on the efficient use of resources and the sound management of agricultural chemicals and waste. It educates students on how to produce food and other agricultural products while minimizing environmental degradation and pollution.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 127 715	Plant Nutrition Managements	Promotes the efficient use of natural resources (Target 12.2) by developing sustainable nutrient management practices that minimize waste.
AG 127 743	Agricultural Pollution and Management	Directly aligns with Target 12.4 by teaching the environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes throughout their life cycle to minimize adverse impacts.

SDG 13: Climate Action

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Alignment Summary: The program directly confronts the challenges of climate change by studying its impacts on water resources and agricultural systems. A key course focuses explicitly on the link between agricultural practices, such as rice cultivation, and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to education and mitigation strategies.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 127 713	Rice Soils and Greenhouse Gases	Directly addresses climate change mitigation (Target 13.2) by studying and managing greenhouse gas emissions from a major agricultural source.
AG 127 765	Water Security and Climate Change	Improves education and awareness-raising on climate change mitigation and adaptation (Target 13.3) by linking water management directly to climate challenges.

SDG 15: Life on Land

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Alignment Summary: This program is centrally focused on the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. Almost every course contributes to understanding, protecting, and managing land resources, from soil fertility and chemistry to the restoration of degraded lands and the conservation of soil biodiversity.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 127 711	Advanced Soil Fertility	Contributes to combating desertification and restoring degraded land and soil (Target 15.3) by providing core knowledge on maintaining soil health and productivity.
AG 127 714	Problem Soils and Integrated Management	Directly addresses the restoration of degraded land (Target 15.3) by teaching methods for the reclamation and management of problem soils.
AG 127 761	Advanced Soil Microbiology	Supports the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems (Target 15.5) by focusing on the critical role of soil biodiversity in ecosystem health and function.
AG 127 764	Advanced Land Evaluation and Land Use Planning	Promotes the integration of ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning (Target 15.9), ensuring sustainable land use.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Alignment Summary: The program's advanced, research-oriented nature fosters partnerships for sustainable development. Seminar and thesis work require engagement with the global scientific community, promoting knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder collaborations essential for addressing the complex, interconnected challenges of the SDGs.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 127 891 / 892	Seminar in Soil Science and Environment I / II	Enhances the global partnership for sustainable development by requiring students to engage with and present on the latest global research, fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing (Target 17.6).
AG 127 898 / 899	Thesis	Represents a significant contribution to global partnerships (Target 17.17) by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared internationally to help solve critical sustainability challenges in soil and environmental science.