WWCC COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Identifier: AGPR 201
Year/Quarter: Fall
Course Title: Basic Soil Science
Item Number: 0080
Instructor Name: Matthew Williams
Office Phone: 509-527-4696
Office Location: 1207 Tech Center
Email Address: matthew.williams@wwcc.edu
Office Hours: 8:30-9:20
Name of Textbook: The Nature and Properties of Soil. 2002, Prentice Hall Inc., 14th Ed.
Number of Credits: 5
Class Hours per Week: 6
Type of Instruction Used in This Course: Lecture/Lab; field trips
Prerequisites if Any: High School or One term of College Chemistry recommended
General Ed Core Class: XYES
NO
(This class will meet a natural science requirement as a lab science for the associate of arts degree at
WWCC)
Course Description:
Introductory course designed to provide an understanding of soil structure and composition as
related to temperature, water, and other environmental controls. Emphasizes studying soils from a land use
and management perspective.
Location: Room 1213 (lecture) and 1108 (lab) Tech Center
Course Topics:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Soil Components, Phases, and Profile-Horizons
Land Evaluation
Organic Fraction of Soil
Rocks, Parent Material, Soil Formation
Physical Properties of Soil
Mineral Fraction of Soils
Soil Reaction - Acidity & Alkalinity
Soil Water Relationships
Intended Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1.
Name the three components of all soil systems and their relationship to each
other.
2.
Recognize the structure of rocks and minerals and their relationship to soil
formation and use.
3.
Recognize the importance of organic matter in soils and its involvement in
soil formation and use.
4.
Classify soils texturally by type utilizing a textural triangle and with that soil
type discuss porosity and bulk density.
5.
Interpret water relationships in soil with emphasis on available water for
plant growth and flow of water in soils.
6.
Evaluate soil temperature changes at a given depth as it varies throughout
the seasons.
7.
Identify the common gases in the soil and their diffusion patterns based on
water content, tillage and cropping practice.
8.
Describe base-saturation, base-cycling and how we alter soils through our
management to change the above mentioned processes.
9.
Identify the principle cations present in the soil in solution, exchangeable
and non-exchangeable form and their variance with change in soil pH.
10.
Describe the multi-segmented process of soil formation and development as
related to soil type and environmental dependence.
11.
Participate in a land judging field trip/exercise and be able to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Determine soil texture by feel.
Identify and determine depth of horizons in soil profile.
Determine slope of land with Abney Level.
Determine erosion potential of soil at land evaluation site.
e.
Place land into appropriate capability class.
Student Learning Assessment Strategy:
Grades will be calculated on a total point basis earned during the quarter and based on a percentage of
approximately 700 total points.
Exams - 360 points
Study questions - 180 points
Lab exercises and field trips - 160 points
Letter grades will be earned according to the following:
>93% = A
90-92% = A-
87-89% = B+
83-86% = B
80-82% = B-
77-79% = C+
73-76% = C
70-72% = C-
67-69% = D+
60-66% = D
Evaluation Devices: Three announced exams; completion of lab exercises, and study questions.
Testing Policy:
3 announced in class exams - make-up exams may be given at instructors
discretion on exams #1 and #2.
Homework Policy:
Completion of lab exercises and study questions as assigned outside of class
time.
Other Special Instructions: Lab exercises cannot be made up. Student must perform lab to
receive credit for that exercise.
Attendance Policy:
No formal attendance is taken, however, regular attendance is highly correlated with acceptable
achievement.
If you have a disability and need academic accommodations, please see the instructor after class and/or
contact the Disabilities Coordinator, Claudia Angus, in the Student Development Center.
Classroom Behavior:
It is expected that student behavior will be consistent with the Student Code of Conduct as outlined
in the Student Handbook. Conduct yourself in a professional manner consistent with a college
environment; this includes eliminating rude or disruptive behavior such as engaging in side conversations.
Make the commitment to attend each class section, arrive to class on time and be prepared with all
necessary materials. If it is necessary to leave or enter the classroom while class is in session, please
consider the learning environment of other students and do so quietly with as little disruption to others as
possible. Please keep cell phones silent (unless otherwise arranged with the instructor.
Late Submissions:
Assignments submitted late will receive a maximum of 50% credit. Late is considered any time after the
class session in which it was due. No credit will be given to assignments or labs submitted beyond the
examination in which the assignments/labs support. Ample time will be given for all assignments and
the expectation is that this time will be used to complete the assignments.
AGPR201: Course Outline
SUBJECT MATTER
1.
Introduction
READING ASSIGNMENT
pp. 1-31
Soil Components
Soil Phases
Soil Profile-Horizons
2.
Organic Fraction of Soils
Soil Organisms
Organic Matter Accumulation
Cycling of Nutrients in Soil O.M.
pp. 443-539
3.
Parent Material and Soil Formation
Classification of Rocks
Types of Parent Materials
Factors of Soil Formation
[COMPLETE EXAM #1]
pp. 32-75
4. Physical Properties of Soil
Soil Texture Soil Structure
Bulk Density and Porosity
pp. 121-172
5. Mineral Fraction of Soils
Mineral Structure
Important Clay Minerals
Charge Relationships
Cation Exchange
[COMPLETE EXAM #2]
pp. 310 - 355
6. Acidity and Alkalinity
Soil pH, Acidification, Buffering
pp. 358-399
SUBJECT MATTER
READING ASSIGNMENT
7. Soil Water Relationships
Measurement of Soil Water Content
Water Flow in Soils Water
Cycle in Nature ET
Measurements
pp. 173-264
8. Land Evaluation
Handout
Overview of Criteria Textural
Groupings Slope Determination Land
Capability Classifications Soil
Conserving Practices [COMPLETE
EXAM #3]