Course Syllabus

Soil Science

EEES  4240/5240, Fall, 2009, 3 credit hours

 

Instructor: Dr. Alison L. Spongberg

            Office: Bowman-Oddy 3086-F, Lab: BO3051

            Telephone: 530-4091 (office), 530-2986 (lab) 530-2009 for EEES office (BO 3042)

            e-mail: aspongb@utnet.utoledo.edu

            Office Hours:  By appointment, but feel free to stop in my office anytime IÕm there.

             

Scheduled class time and room: T, Th 2:00-3:15, Bowman-Oddy 3045

Please turn all cell phones OFF before the beginning of class.

 

Course Objective:  The soil is an essential part of our environment and it is important to understand its properties and uses from the engineering, geologic, environmental and biological perspectives.  However, very few colleges outside of major agricultural universities offer courses on the basic science of soils.  My objective, therefore, is to introduce the science of soils from all of the above-mentioned aspects to upper level undergraduate and graduate students so that they can apply this information to their appropriate fields of study.

 

Required Text: Brady and Weil, The Nature and Properties of Soils, Macmillian Publishing Co.

 

Web site for addition readings: http://utoledo.edu/as/envsciences/faculty/spongberg.html under the Courses link.

 

Grading and test dates (subject to change):  There will be three tests given during the semester.  The first two will be given during the scheduled class period and will cover the material taught since the last test.  Each will be approximately 25% of your final grade.  The third test will be the final, given during final exam week at the scheduled time.  The final will count 30% of the final grade.  Several homework assignments, a field trip, and class participation will constitute the remaining 20% of your grade.  Homework is due the following class period after assignment.  No late homework will be accepted.

 

Topical Outline: Appropriate chapters to accompany each topic can be found in the text.

 

            1.          Introduction to soils

            2.          Weathering and soil formation

            3.          Physical properties of soil

            4.          Soil mineralogy

            5.          Soil water and soil aeration

            6.          Soil colloids and ion exchange

            7.          Soil classification

            8.          Soil chemistry (fertility):  Macro and micronutrients

            9.          Soil reaction:  Acidity, alkalinity

         10.          Soil erosion

         11.          Engineering properties

         12.          Soil and chemical pollution

 

There will be at least one field trip during the semester to dig soil pits and view soil horizonation.  Expect to get a bit dirty on those days.