This textbook is aimed at the majority of students who need to quickly acquire a concise overview of soil science. Many current soil science textbooks still cater for a traditional student market where students embark on three years study in a narrow discipline. The growth in modular degree schemes has meant that soil science is now often taught as self-standing unit as part of broad based degree program. Students pursuing this type of course are increasingly reluctant to purchase expensive textbooks that are too detailed & often assume a scientific background. For those opting to specialise in soil science there are a variety of good textbooks to choose from. This short informative guide will be particularly useful for students who do not possess a traditional scientific background such as those studying geography environment science ecology & agriculture. Only textbook to cater for introductory courses in soil science. Provides an affordable concise overview of soil science. Learning exercises & chapter summaries enhance usability. Annotated suggestions for further reading. Based on proven & successful modular course structure. Emphasis on readability & interactive learning. No scientific background assumed.