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Date Approved or Revised: __May 2012_____________
Introduces the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soils; the origin, classification, and distribution of soils as mapped by GPS/GIS systems and their influence on people and food production; the management and conservation of soils; and the environmental impact of soil use.
Prerequisites: CHEM 102 with grade of “C” or better
Co-requisites: None
Suggested Enrollment Cap: 24
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.
Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of the chemical, physical and biological properties of soils;
2.
Describe the origin, classification, and distribution of soils and their relationship to people and food production (plant growth);
3.
Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of soil management and conservation and the environmental impact of soil use;
4.
Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of soil science techniques as they relate to properties and classification of soils by conducting laboratory experiments and analyzing results.

Learning outcomes will be assessed by administering periodic exams during the semester and a comprehensive final exam at the end of the semester.

Instructor-designed assignments will assess the learning outcomes and will be given as a portion of the total grade. Assignments may include written and oral assignments, projects, homework, and quizzes; all assignments will be graded using an instructor-designed rubric.
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Information to be included on the Instructors’ Course Syllabi:

Disability Statement: Baton Rouge Community College seeks to meet the needs of its students in many ways. See the Office of Disability Services to receive suggestions for disability statements that should be included in each syllabus.

Grading: The College grading policy should be included in the course syllabus. Any special practices should also go here. This should include the instructor’s and/or the department’s policy for make-up work. For example in a speech course, “Speeches not given on the due date will receive no grade higher than a sixty” or “Make-up work will not be accepted after the last day of class.”

Attendance Policy: Include the overall attendance policy of the college. Instructors may want to add additional information in individual syllabi to meet the needs of their courses.

General Policies:
Instructors’ policy on the use of things such as beepers and cell phones and/or hand held programmable calculators should be covered in this section.

Cheating and Plagiarism: This must be included in all syllabi and should include the penalties for incidents in a given class. Students should have a clear idea of what constitutes cheating in a given course.

Safety Concerns: In some programs this may be a major issue. For example, “No student will be allowed in the safety lab without safety glasses.” General statements such as, “Items that may be harmful to one’s self or others should not be brought to class.”

Library/ Learning Resources: Since the development of the total person is part of our mission, assignments in the library and/or the Learning Resources Center should be included to assist students in enhancing skills and in using resources. Students should be encouraged to use the library for reading enjoyment as part of lifelong learning.
Lecture Topics
I.
Introduction
A.
B.
C.
Definition of Soil
Soil as a Natural Body
Soil Components-Air, Water, Inorganic, and Organic Solids
II.
Physical Properties
A.
Separation of Soil
B.
C.
Texture
Aggregation and Structural Characteristics
D.
E.
F.
Temperature
Color
Properties of Soil Mixture
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G.
H.
I.
J.
Pore Space
Bulk Density
Particle Density
Aeration and Drainage
K.
L.
Compaction
Surface Area
III.
M.
Soil-Water Relationships
Chemical Properties
A.
Morphology of Clay
B.
C.
Chemistry of Clay
Ionic Exchange
Acidity, Alkalinity (pH) and Salinity D.
E.
Reactions in Liming and Acidification
IV.
Biological Properties
V.
A.
B.
Soil Organic Matter
C:N Relationships
C.
D.
N Transformation
Soil Organisms
Sulfur Transformation E.
Genesis and Classification
A.
Profile
B.
Soil Forming Factors
C.
D.
E.
F.
Soil Survey Methods
Soil Survey Reports
Soil Distribution
Classification System
VI.
Soil Fertility
A.
Nutrient Availability
B.
C.
Macro and Micro Nutrients
Fertilizer Sources, Manufacturing-Availability
Application and Placement
D.
E.
Fertilizer Requirements
VII.
Conservation and Management
A.
B.
C.
D.
Drainage
Erosion: Mechanism and Control
Irrigation
Land Use Classification
Laboratory Exercises
I.
Introduction to Soil
II.
Physical Properties of Soil
III.
Chemical Properties of Soil
IV.
Biological Properties of Soil
V.
Soil Classification
VI.
Soil Fertility
VII.
Soil Conservation and Management
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