I. ASCRC General Education Form
Group
Dept/Program
College of Forestry &
Conservation/DECS
Course Title
Introductory Soils
Prerequisite
Chem 151N
Course #
U FOR210N
U RSCN210N
Credits
3
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Cory Cleveland
9/8/08
x6018;
cory.cleveland@umontana.edu
Program Chair
Ron Wakimoto
Dean
James Burchfield
III. Description and purpose of the course: General Education courses must be introductory
and foundational. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/gened/GEPreamble_final.htm
Instructor
Phone / Email
Soils have been described as the Earth’s Final Frontier. In many ways the ground beneath our
feet is as alien as a distant planet. Processes that occur in the in the top few centimeters of the
Earth’s surface provide the basis for all life on dry land, and yet we, as creatures of the aerial
world, have an incomplete and distorted view of soil. The purpose of this course is to provide
students with a "hands-on" introduction to the soil resource, its ecology, and its management,
and to provide you with an introduction to the techniques used to study the amazing
“underworld.” The lab component of this class allows students get their hands dirty, and
hopefully, delving deeper into the hidden world of soils will reveal some surprising connections
to our more familiar, above ground environment, and make subterraneana a far less alien
experience.
Over the course of the semester, will practice the art of observing and describing soil, the
geomorphology of soils, and the relationship between plant communities and the soil mosaic on
the landscape. Students are introduced to the mechanics of water movement in soil, the
dynamics of ion movement in soil, the basics of soil classification, some important aspects of
soil biology, and the role of soil and soil processes in "waste" management (i.e., the human
enterprise). The field labs in this course are organized to demonstrate how climate, parent
material, slope, biological activity, and time (the state factors) all influence soil formation, and
the lectures provide additional, critical detail about these phenomena.
IV. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
This course uses the scientific method to
explore how soils are formed (through analysis
of the state factors of soil formation, how they
provide the basis for critical above- and
belowground ecosystem function, and how their
management should be carefully considered to
sustain both natural and managed ecosystems.
Each week, we begin with a set of simple
questions (hypotheses) and use the lecture and
laboratory components of the course to make
observations, collect and analyze data, and
make conclusions about how soils form and
function.
This course has a lecture component, in
which the basic principles and language of
soil science are covered, and the lectures are
complemented with a laboratory component
that reinforces those concepts and allows the
students to actually observe soils in the
natural environment.
The laboratory component of the course
culminates in an all day field trip in which
the students apply the knowledge gained
over the course of the semester. Students
design and conduct independent projects,
collect and analyze data, and prepare
rigorous reports akin to those submitted by
professionals to peer reviewed journals.
V. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
This course meets many of the established
After students have had an opportunity to
learning goals. Through both lecture and
observe how soils vary in both space and
laboratory classes, we first explore the
time, we provide them with the tools they
fundamental principles of soil science. We
need to collect data to interpret that
begin with the most basic scientific process;
variation over the landscape.
observation. We then use simple observations to
guide the students through the process of
forming questions that lead to tangible, testable
hypotheses.
Each week, we travel to a new site and ask to
By the end of the term, students should have
students to use their knowledge to analyze soil
the ability to understand the scientific
pits and vegetation characteristics. Following
process, the ability to form testable
data collection, we ask the students to assemble hypotheses, a firm grasp of the methods
and analyze those data, and to calculate and
necessary to test a number of soil and
understand the inherent variability that is part of ecosystem characteristics, and the
doing science, to understand significance and
knowledge to analyze and interpret those
uncertainty, and to use that information to make data to make sound conclusions based on
appropriate conclusions.
robust results.
VII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form. ⇓ The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
See attached, and please note we request course cross listing (U FOR210 N) with U RSCN 210
N)
*Please note: As an instructor of a general education course, you will be expected to provide
sample assessment items and corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.
FOR 210 – Introduction to Soils
Course Description
Soils have been described as the Earth’s Final Frontier because in many ways, the ground beneath
our feet really is as alien as a distant planet. Processes that occur in the in the top few centimeters of
the Earth’s surface provide the basis for all life on dry land, and yet we, as inhabitants of the aerial
world, have an incomplete and distorted view of soil.
The purpose of this laboratory is to provide you with a "hands-on" introduction to the soil resource, its
ecology, and its management, and to provide you with an introduction to the techniques used to study
the amazing “underworld.” The lab component of this class will allow you get your hands dirty, and
hopefully, delving deeper into the hidden world of soils will reveal some surprising connections to our
more familiar, above ground environment, and make subterraneana a far less alien experience!
Over the course of the semester, we will practice the art of observing and describing soil, the
geomorphology of soils, and the relationship between plant communities and the soil mosaic on the
landscape. You will be introduced to the mechanics of water movement in soil, the dynamics of ion
movement in soil, the basics of soil classification, some important aspects of soil biology, and the role
of soil and soil processes in "waste" management. The field labs in this course are organized to
demonstrate how climate, parent material, slope, biological activity, and time (the state factors) all
influence soil formation, and the lectures will provide some additional, critical detail about these
phenomena.
(Adapted from: Alt, D. and D. W. Hyndman. 1986. Roadside Geology of Montana. Mountain Press
Publishing, Missoula, 427 pp.)
Soil science is an interdisciplinary subject, integrating physics, chemistry, geology, and biology into
one dynamic system. You will greatly benefit from reading your assigned chapters from the lab book
and text book prior to coming to both lecture and lab. Good luck, and enjoy the class!
FOR210 - Introductory Soils
Fall 2008
Course Details
Instructor: Cory C. Cleveland, Ecosystem & Conservation Sciences
Office: CHCB 423B (The Science Complex)
Phone: 243-6018
Email: Cory.Cleveland@cfc.umt.edu
Office Hours: 9:00 –10:30 am M/W or by appointment
Lecture location & Time: (Old) Journalism 304, Time - 8:10 - 9:00 MW
Text:
Brady, N.C. and R.R. Weil. 2008. The Nature and Properties of Soils, 14th edition. Prentice
Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. 960 pp. ISBN: 0-13-227938-X (Available in the UMT Bookstore
and on Reserve)
Opt. Text:
Kohnke, H. and D.P. Franzemeier. 1995. Soil Science Simplified. 4th edition,
Waveland Press, Prospect Heights, IL. 162 pp. ISBN: 0881338133 (Available in the UMT
Bookstore and on Reserve)
Logan, W. B. 1995. Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth. New York: Norton. 202 pp. (Available
in the UMT Bookstore and on Reserve)
Additional Course Materials & Information:
http://umonline.umt.edu/
On the Blackboard site, you will need to enter your Net ID and password to access the course schedule, lab
manual, and material to supplement lectures, including any outside readings. Whenever possible, lecture
notes will be posted on the web page before lectures and may be modified post-lecture according to how
much was covered in class.
Lab Instructors:
Tuesday: Ashley Grant
Office: SC 403
Phone: 243-5245
Email: ashley1.grant@umontana.edu
Office Hours: 12:30 – 2:00 W
Wednesday: Maria Garcia
Office: SC 403
Phone: 243-4325
Email: maria.garcia@umontana.edu
Office Hours: 1:30 – 3:00 TR
*Lab location & Time: Science Complex 403, Time - 2:10 - 5:00 M, T or W (unless otherwise noted)
* In-class labs will meet in SC 403. Lab 1 (Sept 1) will meet at the base of Mount Sentinel at the “M”
trailhead. The remaining labs will meet at the loading dock behind Science Complex (south side of SC)
where we will board buses for transportation to field sites. WE DEPART PROMPTLY AT 2:10 P.M. The
Saturday lab (October 11) departs from the same location at 8 am, and returns at 5 pm.
Lab Book: Introductory Soils Lab Manual, available on-line. Please print it out and read it before coming to lab
each week. Quizzes prior to each week’s lab are fair game.
Course Grading:
Grades will be computed from the following four components:
- Average of lab reports and quizzes (25%)
- Midterm Exam 1 (25%)
- Midterm Exam 2 (25%)
- Final Exam (25%)
WARNING: There will be NO MAKEUP EXAMS and NO MAKEUP LABS except under extraordinary
circumstances. If you absolutely must miss a lab, you should make plans to attend another. On that note,
attendance in lab is not optional. Students with more than 2 absences will not pass the lab, and students who
do not pass lab will not pass the course.
Recommended Preparation
- Come to class and be prepared to participate.
- Before class, read the assigned material and review the notes.
- Check web notes a few days following the lecture for changes and review.
- Turn in lab assignments on time.
- Come to class prepared. Redundant, I know, but if you don’t, you will struggle.
- Lab is heavily weighted toward the first half of the semester, so plan accordingly!
Other, Warnings, Caveats, Red Tape, and University Considerations
You are expected to read the assigned material, and will be responsible for its content. I will ask a lot of you
in this class, and expect a high level of commitment to the course. A knowledge of soil and the science of
soil is integral to understanding a range of critical environmental issues the world now faces, but just like in
many areas of science, to deal with those issues, you must first learn the basics of the discipline. And
hopefully along the way we learn a lot and have some fun!
Students with learning disabilities or disadvantages needing special dispensation or assistance, please
inform the instructors during the first week of class.
All course activities are governed by the Student Conduct Code, which embodies the ideals of academic
honesty, integrity, human rights, and individual responsibility. See
http://ordway.umt.edu/sa/documents/fromWeb/StudentConductCode1.pdf for more information.
Forestry 210 - Introductory Soils
Fall 2008
Dr. Cory C. Cleveland
Syllabus
Schedule
Date
Class
Topic
8/25
1
Introduction / Soils and History
8/27
2
Soils as a Complex System
9/1
3
Labor Day (NO CLASSES)
9/3
4
Geology and Parent Material
2.1-2.12
9/8
5
Soil Genesis: Climate and Biology
2.13-2.14 (7)
9/10
6
Soil Genesis: Topography and Time
2.15-2.17 (7)
9/15
7
Soil Morphology
2.18, 3.1-3.2 (8)
9/17
8
Soil Classification I
3.3-3.8 (9)
9/22
9
Soil Classification II
3.9-3.16 (9)
9/24
10
Soil Physical Properties
4.1-4.7 (2)
9/29
11
Midterm 1: Soil Genesis, Morphology and Classification
10/1
12
Soil Porosity and Moisture
4.9-4.10, 5.1-5.3 (2)
10/6
13
Soil Water I
5.4-5.7 (2)
10/8
14
Soil Water II
5.8-5.11 (2)
10/13
15
Soils and Hydrology
6.1-6.7
10/15
16
Soil Colloids
8.1- 8.4 (4)
10/20
17
Clay Mineralogy & Formation
8.5-8.7 (4)
10/22
18
Cation Exchange
8.8-8.11, 8.14 (4)
10/27
19
Soil Acidity and Alkalinity
9.1-9.8 (4)
10/29
20
Midterm 2: Soil Physical and Chemical Properties
11/3
21
Soil Biology
11.1-11.11 (6)
11/5
22
Soil Microbial Ecology
11.12-11.15
11/10
23
Soil Organic Matter and Humus Formation 12.1-12.10
11/12
24
Soil Biochemistry: Nitrogen & Sulfur
13.1-13.15 13.20-22
11/17
25
Soil Nutrients: Phosphorus & Potassium
14.1-14.3, 14.13 (5)
11/19
26
Fertilizers and Saline Soils
10.1-10.6 16.11 (12)
11/24
27
Soil Erosion
17.1-.5 17.9-12 (11)
11/26
28
Holiday: Thanksgiving
12/01
29
Fire Effects
7.9, 16.4
12/03
30
Soils and Global Change
TBA
12/13 (8:00am)
FINAL EXAM: Cumulative
Required Reading
Chapter (Opt. Text)
1 (1)
Introductory Soils
Fall 2008
Laboratory Schedule
Week Beginning
Lab Assignment
Location
Lab Book
August 25
NO LABS
September 1 *
The Soils Around Us
Field
Lab 1 r
September 8
Rocks, Minerals, and Soil
SC 403
Lab 2 r
September 15
Dry Grassland and Riparian Soils
Field
Lab 3 r
September 22
NO LABS
September 29
Moist Grassland and Tertiary Sediments
Field
Lab 4 r
October 6
Dry Forest and Fire Effects
Field
Lab 5 r
October 11 (8AM)
Lubrecht Field Trip and Project
Field
Lab 6 R
October 13
Soil Classification and Mapping
SC 403
Lab 7 r
October 20
Soil Physical Properties
SC 403
Lab 8 r
October 27
Soil Water & Infiltration
SC 403
Lab 9 r
November 3
Soil Chemistry
SC 403
Lab 10 r
November 10 *
Soil Ecology
SC 403
Lab 11 r
November 17
Soils and the Human Enterprise
Field
Lab 12
November 24
NO LABS (Thanksgiving Holiday)
December 3
Course Wrap-up & Review
SC 403
Lab 13
The letters r = written lab report; R = MAJOR written lab report
* As a result of Labor Day on September 3 and Veteran’s Day on November 12, students whose
labs do not meet should plan to attend another lab on those weeks.
With the exception of lab 1, all lab reports (r) must be typed and are due at the beginning of the
following week’s lab session. Your grade will be reduced one letter grade for each day late, and
written lab reports will receive a full letter grade deduction.
Lab 6 will be an all day field trip to be held on October 11th leaving Science Complex at 8:00 am and
returning at about 4:00 pm. The lab is mandatory, so plan ahead.
Finally, LABS ARE NEVER CANCELED, so check weather forecasts and dress accordingly. The
weekend lab in October may be cold and snowy, so be warned, and come prepared!