Basic Soil Science – AGPR 201
General Course Information
Year & Quarter – Winter 2016
Item Number – 0069/0078/5060
Credits: 5
Meeting days: Monday through Friday 10:30 – 11:20 except Thursday lab at 3:30 – 5:20
Prerequisites: None
Location: Technology Center Lecture Room 1205; Lab Room 1108
Instructor Contact Information
Name: Matt Williams
Email: matt.williams@wwcc.edu
Office number: 1207
Phone number: (509) 527-4696 or cell (509) 301-4071
Office hours: Posted on office door
Required Course Textbook
The Nature and Properties of Soil. 2002, Prentice Hall Inc., 14th Ed.
Course Description
Introductory course designed to provide an understanding of soil structure and composition as related to
temperature, water, and other environmental controls. This course emphasizes studying soils from a
land use and management perspective.
Course Topics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Soil components, phases, and profiles
Land evaluation
Organic fraction of soil
Parent material and soil formation
Physical properties of soil
6. Mineral fraction of soils
7. Soil pH and cation exchange capacity
8. Soil water relationships
Course Learning Outcomes
Students will demonstrate the ability 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 nonexchangeable 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.
e.
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.
Place land into appropriate capability class.
Grading
Grades will be calculated on a total point basis earned during the quarter and based on a percentage
of approximately 700 total points.
Exams - 300 points
Study questions - 180 points
Lab exercises and field trips - 160 points
Term Paper – 100 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, study questions,
term paper. Study question and lab point values may vary from those listed above.
Testing Policy: Three announced in class exams and a comprehensive final. The lowest exam
score is dropped. Comprehensive Final exam on March 17, 2016 from 10:30 – 12:20
Homework Policy: Completion of lab exercises and study questions as assigned outside of class
time. Late work will receive a maximum of 50% credit.
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 and achievement of course learning
outcomes is highly correlated.
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.
Instructor Policies



No electronics of any kind may be used during an exam, this includes music players and cell phones, a
basic calculator may be used if necessary for completion of the exam.
Late assignments will receive no more than 50% of available credit.
There will be three exams during the quarter and a comprehensive final exam on the scheduled day and
time. The lowest exam performance will be dropped.
Accomodations
To request accommodations related to a disability, contact Claudia Angus, Ph.D., Coordinator of
Disability Support Services, at 527-4262 or email claudia.angus@wwcc.edu
Course Outline and Suggested Readings
1) Introduction – pages 29-53
a) Soil Components
b) Soil Phases
c) Soil Profiles
2) Land Evaluation – Handouts
a) Overview of criteria
b) Textural groupings
c) Slope determination
d) Land capability classifications
e) Soil conserving practices
3) Organic Fraction of Soils – pages 513-528, 542-545, 549-552, 558-559, 567-589, 592-595, & 601
a) Soil Organisms
b) Organic matter accumulation
c) Cycling of nutrients in soil organic matter
d) COMPLETE EXAM #1
4) Parent Material and Soil Formation – pages 61-103
a) Classification of rocks
b) Types of parent materials
c) Soil forming factors
5) Physical Properties of Soil – pages 165 - 206
a) Soil Texture and Structure
b) Bulk Density and Porosity
c) COMPLETE EXAM #2
6) Mineral Fraction of Soils – pages 372-387, 391-409
a) Mineral Structures
b) Primary and secondary minerals
c) Cation and Anion exchange
7) Soil pH – pages 358-399
a) pH meaning and measurement
b) Soil acidification
c) Buffering
d) Soil salinity
8) Soil water relationships – pages 272-278, 286-293
a) Measurement of soil water content
b) Water flow in soils
c) Hydrologic cycle
d) ET measurement
e) COMPLETE EXAM #3