Curriculum Course Review Format
This form is for use when altering the college curriculum
by adding or combining courses
_
1. Course Title:
Soils and Soil Fertility
2. Course Number:
29-5XX-00
3. Credit Hours:
3
4. Curriculum Program Title: M.S. Agriculture/Plant Science/Soil Science. Department of
Agriculture and Natural Resources
5. Curriculum/Course is:
__X___ New
__________ Revised
_______ Required Course ____X____ Elective Course
6. List Prerequisites: 29-208 Soil Science or instructor approval.
7. List replaced or changed: A new elective course proposed for graduate students majoring in
agriculture and natural resources.
8. List courses being deleted: None.
9. Need Statement: (give a brief statement explaining the need for the new course or for
combining courses) Does this course adjustment alter the nature of the curriculum
program or the degree to be awarded?
Soil is an essential medium supporting plant growth. It is also an important environmental factor
that impacts air and water quality. As a precious natural resource, soil sustains human life in
many ways. The knowledge of soil regarding its ecological nature, inherent biogeochemical
processes, environmental functions, and nutrient supply capacity is vital for properly utilizing
and managing the resource. To achieve the goal of sustainable agriculture, soil fertility
conservation and non-point source pollution control are two critical tasks.
Soil science courses are required for most undergraduate and graduate programs in agriculture.
In peer universities a number of soil science courses are commonly offered, such as Soil
Fertility, Soil Chemistry, and Soil Microbiology. At Delaware State University, however, soil
science courses are limited: currently two (Soil Science and Soil & Water Management) are
offered at the undergraduate level; no graduate courses in soil science are available. Graduate
students in the College of Agriculture and Related Sciences have indicated a need and expressed
a strong desire for additional soil science classes. The knowledge of soil fertility, soil processes,
and soil characterization is a necessity for agricultural graduates’ career development. Therefore,
a graduate course “Soils and Soil Fertility” is proposed. This course will enhance the graduate
program by adding electives to the program curricula.
10. Catalogue description of the program: The study of soil properties, processes, nutrients,
fertility, and management practices related to crop production and environmental protection.
Prerequisite: 29-208 Soil Science. Two hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week. Credit:
three hours.
11. List objectives of the course:
The overall objective is to present comprehensive information on soil characteristics, fertility,
and management for improving crop production and reducing environmental pollution. Upon
completion of the course students should:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Be familiar with the ecological nature of soils
Be able to characterize various soil physical and chemical characteristics
Understand major biogeochemical processes occurring in natural soils
Gain knowledge of distribution and availability of nutrients in soils and be capable of
evaluating soil fertility
5. Identify management practices for preserving soil fertility and conserving agricultural
environment
12. Course outline (Attach Typical Course Outline): See Attached.
13. Show how the proposed course fits into the curriculum or course sequence.
Attach course descriptions and list course numbers.
The course is optional for graduate students majoring in Agriculture. Please see the attachment
for course descriptions and proposed course numbers.
14. Are comparable courses in other departments? If so list all comparable courses here.
No.
15. How will students be affected by this course change? Will this course improve
students’ professional competence, employability, and ability to pass professional
examinations? Does this course increase the number of credit hours required for
graduation? Does the course prerequisites increase the total number of semester hours in
this curriculum program?
The proposed course will provide students with fundamental knowledge and comprehensive
understanding of natural soils, soil nutrients, soil fertility, soil environmental functions, and soil
management strategies. It will furnish students with essential soil science information and skills
that are required in career development and professional examinations. Without increases in
credit hour requirements, students will be provided with knowledge, ability, and skills in the soil
science field to prepare them for a competitive world. There is no requirement for an increase in
semester hours and/or credit hours.
16. What effect will this new course have on College resources? Will this course require
new or additional resources or staffing?
This proposed course is an advanced soil science class. In additional to delivering necessary soil
science knowledge and training, it will provide more course options for graduate students in the
College of Agriculture and Related Sciences. The current Soil Science instructor will teach this
proposed course. No additional requirements for staff and resources will be incurred to the
Department and/or the University.
17. How will it benefit the college?
Students in the College of Agriculture and Related Sciences will have additional course choices
and research opportunities for facilitating their academic training. The college will benefit from
the proposed course through graduate curriculum enhancement and graduate program
strengthening.
18. How will the change affect the program?
The change will strengthen the program by adding more optional courses and consequently
improving teaching and research capabilities.
PROPOSED COURSE OUTLINE
Course Title:
Soils and Soil Fertility
Course Number:
29-5XX-00; 30-6XX-00
Credit Hours:
3 credits (2 lectures and one laboratory)
List Prerequisites:
29-208 Soil Science
Course Description
Soil is the naturally-occurring unconsolidated material on the immediate surface of the earth that
supports plant growth. Numerous physical, chemical, biological, and ecological processes are
occurring in natural soil ecosystems. Soil fertility is the ability of soil to supply nutrients for
plant growth. This class will cover soil properties, soil processes, soil nutrients, and soil fertility
management practices.
Objectives:
The overall objective is to present comprehensive information on soil characteristics, fertility,
and management for improving crop production and reducing environmental pollution. Upon
completion of the course students should:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Be familiar with the ecological nature of soils
Be able to characterize various soil physical and chemical characteristics
Understand major biogeochemical processes occurring in natural soils
Gain knowledge of distribution and availability of nutrients in soils and be capable of
evaluating soil fertility
5. Identify management practices for preserving soil fertility and conserving agricultural
environment
Course Contents
Chapter 1 The nature and composition of soils
The ecological nature of soil; soil phase, elemental, mineralogical compositions; soil organic
matter; soil organisms
Chapter 2 Soil physical properties
Soil color, consistence, texture, structure, density, and porosity
Chapter 3 Soil chemical properties
Soil acidity, salinity, cation exchange capacity, redox potential, and organic carbon content
Chapter 4 Soil survey and classification
Soil profile description, soil classification systems, soil survey procedures, and soil
information depots
Chapter 5 Soil water movement and biogeochemical processes
Soil moisture content, soil temperature, water movement in soils, and biogeochemical
processes in soil including dissolution-precipitation, adsorption-desorption, acid/base
reaction, hydrolysis-hydration, oxidation-reduction, complexation-crystallization, and
biodegradation-synthesis
Chapter 6 Nitrogen
Speciation, distribution, availability, and natural cycle of soil nitrogen and nitrogen
fertilization
Chapter 7 Phosphorus
Speciation, distribution, availability, and natural cycle of soil phosphorus and phosphorus
fertilization
Chapter 8 Potassium
Speciation, distribution, availability, and natural cycle of soil potassium and potassium
fertilization
Chapter 9 Calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and micronutrients
Speciation, distribution, availability, and natural cycle of soil calcium, magnesium, and
sulfur, and micro nutrients iron, copper, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, and boron;
fertilizers of these nutrients
Chapter 10 Organic fertilization
Nutrient values of different organic residues, decomposition of organic matter in soil,
benefits and issues of organic fertilization, and management of organic residue application
Chapter 11 Soil erosion and its control
Soil water erosion; soil wind erosion; erosion control practices; soil contamination
Chapter 12 Evaluation and management of soil fertility
Criteria for soil fertility evaluation, land use planning, management practices for
maintaining and improving soil fertility
Textbook
Soil and Soil Fertility by Frederick R. Troeh, Louis M. Thompson, and Louis Thompson. 6th
Edition. 2005. Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ.