About PLSCS
2600
Fall. 4
credits. S-U grades optional.
Lectures
are on M, W & F starting at 9:05 am and Laboratories are on M, T or W at
1:25 pm
Designed for students interested in a comprehensive introduction to soil
science from both an environmental and plant management perspective, this
course is divided into three units. A unit on soil information introduces
students to soil properties, characterization, mapping, classification, and
land evaluation. A soil management unit addresses nutrient and water
management, water, as well as management of soil biota and soil health. The
unit on the role of soils in ecosystems considers topics such as soil erosion,
nutrient leaching, soils as sinks and sources of greenhouse gases, and the
impact of soils on land use. Labs will initially be field-oriented with an
emphasis on learning practical skills needed to evaluate and manage soils.
Subsequent labs will focus on accessing, interpreting, and applying soil
information.
Course
Objectives:
1) To
provide a better appreciation of the distribution and variability of soils
and their properties across the landscape,
2) a knowledge of how these properties are created and how they affect
landscape processes (both at a large and small scale),
3) a preliminary ability to investigate soil characteristics and,
4) an understanding how we manage (or not) soils and their properties for a
multitude of objectives.
Text
|
|
The Nature and Properties of Soils
(14th Edition)
by Nyle C. Brady and Ray R. Weil
|
There is a website
associated with the text includes chapter review quizzes that you may find
useful.
Grades
Lecture is
65%
Two
Prelims (15% each)
Final Assessment (30%) - Prelim, Take Home & Practicum
Attendance and Participation (5%)
Laboratory
is 35%
Reports (30%)
Quizes (5%)
