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Soil and Water Science
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
ALS 3133 Agricultural and Environmental Quality
Credits: 3.
Analysis of effects of agriculture on environmental quality; emphasis on agricultural wastes and practices; potential for using agricultural systems for disposal of other wastes; effects of pollution on the agricultural environment. (P)
SWS 2007 The World of Water
Credits: 3.
Course explores the full range of water issues including abundance and quality of water in the environment, water policy, and conflict. (P)
SWS 2008 Land and Life
Credits: 3.
Course will focus on relationships between human activities and soil and environmental quality. Lectures will concentrate on fundamentals of soil and environmental science, using case studies to illustrate basic principles. Intended for non-majors. (B)
SWS 3022 Introduction to Soils in the Environment
Credits: 3.
Fundamentals of soil science emphasizing the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils in relation to growth of native and agricultural plants and environmental uses. (P)
SWS 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory
Credits: 1.
Hands-on exposure to soils-related properties and processes.
SWS 3023L Soil Judging
Credits: 2; can be repeated for up to 6 credits.
Students learn to inventory soil properties and record them on a standard form used by USDA soil scientists. Students travel locally to the field and also attend a 3-day Regional Soil Judging contest. Students learn to classify soils using Soil Taxonomy and to interpret soil quality and behavior from soil properties.
SWS 4116 Environmental Nutrient Management
Credits: 3; Prereq: SWS 3022.
Consumption, existing reserves, formulation, chemical and physical properties, and manufacture of commercial fertilizers; basic chemical reactions of fertilizer materials with the soil and the fate of the nutritional elements whether it be loss by leaching, plant uptake, fixation, or soil retention. (P)
SWS 4223 Environmental Biogeochemistry
Credits: 3; Prereq: BSC 2010 and BSC 2010L, CHM 2045 and 2045L.
To gain understanding of the earth as a biogeochemistry system in the context of global change.
SWS 4231C Soil, Water and Land Use
Credits: 3.
Suitabilities/limitations of soils for different uses; using soil surveys and related information to plan use/management of land; behavior of water in soils/landscapes; policies for and implications of water allocation among urban, agricultural, and natural resource uses. (P)
SWS 4233 Soil and Water Conservation
Credits: 3.
Soil/water resources, historical erosions and sediment problems, geologic vs. accelerated erosion, erosion prediction equations, government conservation programs; and water conservation, irrigation, drainage and salinity; stormwater management; case studies in erosion and sedimentation.
SWS 4244 Wetlands
Credits: 3.
Introduction to wetland ecosystems with emphasis on principles and problems associated with their functions and values as related to water quality. Students will become familiar with basic and applied concepts in hydrology, soils and vegetation of both constructed and natural wetlands.
SWS 4245 Water Resource Sustainability
Credits: 3.
The effects of human impacts on hydrologic ecosystems (aquifers, watersheds, coastal zones, lakes and wetlands) will be described quantitatively. Case studies will be used to illustrate detrimental effects of unsustainable resource utilization and the beneficial management strategies.
SWS 4303C Soil Microbial Ecology
Credits: 3; Prereq: SWS 3022.
Occurrence and activities of soil microorganisms and their influence on soil productivity and environmental quality.
SWS 4307 Ecology of Waterborne Pathogens
Credits: 3; Prereq: MCB 3020 or MCB 4203 or equivalent
Survival strategies, gene regulation and metabolism of waterborne pathogens. Methods for microbe detection and control.
SWS 4451 Soil and Water Chemistry
Credits: 3.
Physico-chemical processes such as mineral weathering and formation, sorption, ion exchange. Introduction to diffuse double layer theory.
SWS 4550 Soils, Water and Public Health
Credits: 3; Prereq: CHM 2045, CHM 2046, BSC 2010; or consent of instructor.
The course highlights important instances where soil and water science and public health overlap, and develops student skills required for competency in both disciplines.
SWS 4602C Soil Physics
Credits: 3; Prereq: MAC 2311, PHY 2004 and SWS 3022.
Physical processes and properties of soils which influence optimum growth of plants as well as potential for groundwater pollution from agrochemicals and applied wastes. Primary emphasis is given to basic concepts of transport and retention for water and solutes; secondary emphasis is given to air and heat in the root zone of the soil profile; and limited attention is given to mechanical properties of soil which affect the proliferation of plant roots. (P)
SWS 4715C Environmental Pedology
Credits: 4; Prereq: SWS 3022.
Study and analysis of soil in the environment; factors responsible for soil formation and geographic distribution. Development of hydric soil criteria and hydric soil indicators. Emphasis on morphology or hydric/ non-hydric soils. Introduction to diagnostic horizons and soil classification. Labs on soil field techniques.
SWS 4720C GIS in Soil and Water Science
Credits: 3.
To provide a basic, practical understanding of GIS concepts, technical issues, and applications applied to soil and water science using ArcGIS geographic information system.
SWS 4905 Individual Work
Credits: 1 to 3; can be repeated with change in content up to 6 credits. Prereq: 8 hours of soils and instructor permission.
Selected topics for qualified students.
SWS 4909 Honors Project
Credits: 1 to 6; maximum 6 credits. Prereq: must be admitted to the college's honors program.
A special project course restricted to students in the honors program. Students will complete a project on a selected topic, issue, or problem in research, teaching or extension. The project will be reviewed by at least two faculty chosen by the honors coordinator. May be repeated for up to six credits.
SWS 4932 Special Topics in Soil and Water Science
Credits: 1 to 3; can be repeated with change in content up to 6 credits.
Special topics designed to meet needs and interests of groups of students. Variable subject matter: e.g., contemporary issues in SWS, etc.
SWS 4941 Full Time Practical Work Experience in Soil and Water Science
Credits: 1 to 3; Prereq: prior arrangement with adviser, permission of department and dean.
Practical work must be a new experience and related to field of study. (S-U)

General Education Categories

Consult Schedule of Courses for specific information.

  • Biological Sciences (B)
  • Composition (C)
  • Diversity (D)*
  • Humanities (H)
  • International (N)*
  • Mathematics (M)
  • Physical Sciences (P)
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (S)

* Students who entered UF prior to Summer B 2007 and/or whose catalog year is not 2007-08: Current students who have not completed six hours of international/diversity (I) credits can do so now by taking D and N courses.

Symbols Used in Course Descriptions

  • (WR): the course satisfies the writing requirement.
  • (MR): the course satisfies the math requirement.
  • (S-U): the course may be taken on a satisfactory-unsatisfactory basis.
  • Refer to the Schedule of Courses for specific information.