Introduction to Soils and Soil Science

COURSE SUMMARY:  This course will introduce students to the physical, chemical, and biological properties and processes of soil; methods of soil description, identification and geographic distribution of soils; the role of soil in supplying ecosystem services; applications of soil science in engineering and agriculture.

TEXTBOOK:            The Nature and Property of Soils, 14th Ed., by N.C. Brady and R.R. Weil.  2007.  Prentice Hall, NJ. 

Supplemental Text: 
                                     Soils: An Introduction, 6th Ed., by M.J. Singer and D.N. Munns.  2006. Pearson Education, Inc., NJ.  

EXAMINATIONS AND CREDIT BREAKDOWN:

                        Exam I                                     20%
                        Exam II                                    20%
                        Final Exam                             30%
                        Quizzes                                   10%
                        Paper                                       20% 
                        Total                                       100%

READINGS:  Journal articles and other readings will be assigned throughout the semester.  Participation in follow-up discussion is expected and material read may be covered in quizzes and exams.   

QUIZZES:  A short quiz will be given at the start of class each Friday morning.  They are intended to review the material covered in class and will have content similar to the problems outlined for those chapters.  Quizzes may also include questions from the assigned readings.  Missed quizzes will receive a zero.  The lowest two quiz grades will be dropped. 

EXAMS:  The first two exams will be on material covered during the previous weeks of the class.  The final will be cumulative.  Missed exams will receive a zero.  If you have a conflict, you must make arrangements with me in advance to take the exam early.  If you must miss because of a health reason, you need to bring a doctor certified excuse. 

PAPER: A short (4-6 pages), but well written, paper is required near the end of the course. Late papers will be subject to a reduction in score. The purpose of the paper is allow you to explore in more detail a topic we have covered during the course, and that you find interesting.


TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

Week               Topic

1                      Introduction: Soils and you
                        Introduction to the Soil System

2                      Soil Formation: Factors and Processes 
                        Soil Formation: Factors and Processes (cont'd)

3                      Soil Architecture: Particles, Aggregates and Horizons
                        Soil Architecture: Particles, Aggregates and Horizons (cont’d)

4                      Soil Classification
                        Soil Classification (cont’d)

5                      Soil Processes: Chemistry and Minerals
                        Soil Processes: Chemistry and Minerals (cont’d)

6                      Soil Atmosphere
                        Soil Atmosphere (cont’d)

7                      Soil Water
                        Soil Water (cont’d)

8                      Soil and Climate
                        Soil and Climate (cont’d)

9                      Soil Acidity
                        Soil Salinity

10                   Soil Ecology
                        Soil Ecology (cont’d)

11                   Soil Carbon Cycle
                        Soil Nitrogen Cycle

12                   Soil Phosphorous Cycle
                        Soil Potassium and Micronutrients

13                   Soil Erosion
                        Soils and Land Use

14                   Soils and Agriculture
                        Soils and Engineering

15                   Soils and Society
                        The Future of Soil