GEO 201 - Soil-The Living World Beneath Our Feet

5 Credits

Soil is one of the great and limited resources civilizations depend on. To manage this vital resource, we will examine the biological, chemical and physical properties of soils; fundamentals of soil ecology, soil-water-plant relations, soil fertility, and soil genesis. Nutrient cycling, fertility management, soil building, soil analysis, and diagnosis are included. If you are a home gardener, an urban farmer, or just interested in the future of the human species, this is an important class that also gets down and dirty.

Pre-requisite(s) MATH81 or higher Min 2.0
Placement Eligibility Math 91 or higher
FeesGL SC

Quarters Typically Offered
Spring Day

Designed to Serve Primarily designed to serve students in the Sustainable Agriculture program, it may also be of interest to some general education students needing a lab science and/or students interested in geoscience and environmental science.
Active Date 20220330T15:33:58

Grading Basis Decimal Grade
Class Limit 24
Contact Hours: Lecture 44 Lab 22
Total Contact Hours 66
Degree Distributions:
AA

Science
Science Lab

Course Outline

Introduction
Importance amd role of soil
Formation of soil
Soil components (air, water, minerals, and organic matter)
Soil formation and soil-forming factors
Soil morphology (what soils look and feel like)
The soil profile
Soil color, texture, structure
Soil classification taxonomy and architecture
Soil erosion
Soil nutrients, management, and deficiencies
Soils, water and the hydrologic cycle
Organisms and ecology of soil
Local soils
Soils and chemical pollution, including lead and arsenic pollution in the local area

Student Learning Outcomes
Describe the key components and processes occurring in soils, including the controls on soil formation.

Describe the relevance and importance of soils for plant growth, regulating water supplies, recycling materials, modifying the atmosphere, serving as habitat for organisms, and serving as an engineering medium.

Explain the impact of human activity on soils as a natural resource including erosion and erosion control.

Explain environmental and agricultural issues, including chemical contamination of soils by lead and arsenic in the local area, using soil science terms and concepts.

Explain the biological, chemical and physical conditions of soil necessary for plant growth and reproduction, and how these conditions are maintained to enhance food production.

Describe the function and significance of organisms and biotic activity on soil development, fertility, ecology, and ecosystem conservation.

Classify and describe soils common to the region based on geology, topography, climate, organisms, and the influence of time on their formation.

Recommend plans for restoring and enhancing the productivity of degraded urban, agricultural, wetland, and forest soils based on the impact of land use management practices on soil quality and quantity.

Describe the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils by making quantitative chemical and physical measurements using appropriate tools, techniques, and technologies.

Assess quality, identify crop options and determine remediation requirements for soils based on chemical and physical measurements.