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Fundamentals of Soil Science

Course developer

Course abstract

Students are able to acquire knowledge and understanding about the basic geological processes, soil formation and genesis, principal soils’ properties, about soil classification, geography, degradation. To obtain skills in morphological, physical and chemical analytical methods, in critical analysis of obtained information, in data processing and interpretation methodology.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

1. The main soil forming minerals and rocks, their identification and properties – practicals.
2. Obtaining skills to accomplish basic soil analysis and to manage interpretation of obtained results – laboratory activity.
3. To be able make diagnosis of soil morphological properties – practicals.
4. To be able to classify soils according to the WRB system – practicals.
5. Understanding about soil formation, genesis, properties, classification, geography; the role of soil in human life, and its ecological functions – lectures, tests No. 1 to 3, final exam.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Introduction in geology and geomorphology.
2. General scheme of soil formation.
3. Soil forming factors. Composition of soil and parent material.
4. Soil organic matter.
5. Chemical and colloidal properties of soil. Test No. 1.
6. Physical properties of soil. Soil structure.
7. Hydrophysical properties of soil and water regime.
8. Aerophysical properties of soil and gaseous regime.
9. Thermophysical properties and thermal regime.
10. Soil solution and Redox processes in soil.
11. Soil fertility. Test No. 2.
12. Soil genesis and evolution.
13. Soil classification.
14. Soil geography.
15. Soil degradation.
16. Soil resources inventory. Test No. 3.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Written exam which includes test questions about theoretical aspects of the course content. Before final examination all laboratory and practical tasks must be finished and intermediate tests (No. 1 to No. 3) successfully passed.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Systematic studies of theory. Accomplishment of laboratory and practical works – timely, according to the fixed timetable.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

During the semester 3 written tests, which includes topics discussed in lectures, acquired in laboratory and practical classes as well as during independent studies accordingly to the capacity defined within the course program. Satisfactory grade will be granted if at least 50% of test’s questions are correctly answered. If all three tests are passed and obtained scores makes sum of 19 and more, the final examination is not compulsory and final grade will be as average score from 3 tests results. The final grade of study course will be performance obtained by three tests (the first written option, not taking account corrected results), the average grade obtained by laboratory and practical activity and evaluation obtained by final exam in the ratio 1:1. E.g., if the average score for tests and laboratory and practical activity is 6, but for final exam 8, assessment of learning outcome will be 7. Attendance of lectures – compulsory. All laboratory and practical assignments must be accomplished and all three tests must be successfully passed until the final examination or registering of obtained scores without final exam (if applicable). The final exam – written, without the use of any supporting material or means. If the score of final exam is unsatisfactory, the assessment of whole study course is also unsatisfactory.
Note. Examination as well as subsequent activities in the running study year can be decline if student is absent for 6 or more lecture hours and/or laboratory and practical activities.

Compulsory reading

1. Buol S.W., Hole F.D., McCracken R.J., Southard R.J. Soil Genesis and Classification. 4th ed. Ames: Iowa State University Press, 1997. 527 p.
2. Harpstead M.I., Sauer T.J., Bennett W.F. Soil Science Simplified. 3rd ed. Ames: Iowa State University Press, 1997. 210 p.
3. Soil Atlas of Europe. European Soil Bureau Network, European Commission. European Commission. Directorate-General. Joint Research Centre. Institute for Environmental and Sustainability, European Soil Bureau Network. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2005. 128 p.
4. Soil Atlas of the Northern Circumpolar Region [tiešsaiste]. European Commission. European Soil Bureau Network. 2010. 144 p. Pieejams: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271481007_Soil_Atlas_of_the_Northern_Circumpolar_Region
5. European Atlas of Soil Biodiversity [tiešsaiste]. European Commission. European Soil Bureau Network. 2010. 128 p. Pieejams: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/47844013_European_atlas_of_soil_biodiversity
6. Encyclopaedia of Soils in the Environment. Ed.-in-chief D. Hillel. Amsterdam etc.: Elsevier Academic Press, 2005. Vol. I – 548 p.; vol. II – 542 p., vol. III – 570 p., vol. IV – 459 p.
7. Soil Sequences Atlas II. Ed. by M. Switoniak, P. Charzynski. Torun, 2018. 248 p.
8. Soil Sequences Atlas IV [tiešsaiste]. Ed. by M. Switoniak, P. Charzynski. Torun, 2018. 262 p. Pieejams:
https://www.academia.edu/38013329/SOIL_SEQUENCES_ATLAS_IV?campaign=upload_email

Further reading

1. Materiāli E-studiju vietnē
2. INTERNET resursi.

Notes

Prerequisite to start the studies: accomplished study courses Agrophysics and Chemistry.