Soil and Water Science

Analysis of effects of agriculture on environmental quality. Topics include agricultural sources of non-point pollution (fertilizers, pesticides), land application of municipal sewage, utilization of wetlands, management of agricultural organic wastes, utilization of wastes for fertilizer and as sources of energy, current and future energy use in the food system, and world population growth and food production. (P)

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)

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)

Hands-on exposure to soils-related properties and processes.

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.

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)

A fundamental study of soil properties and reactions critical to the evaluation of how contaminants, as well as essential nutrients, behave in the soil environment. (P)

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)

Soil/water resources; historical erosions/sediment problems; geologic vs. accelerated erosion; erosion prediction equations; government conservation programs; water conservation/irrigation/drainage/salinity; stormwater management; case studies in erosion and sedimentation.

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.

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.

Occurrence and activities of soil microorganisms and their influence on soil productivity and environmental quality.

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)

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.

To provide a basic, practical understanding of GIS concepts, technical issues, and applications applied to soil and water science using ArcGIS geographic information system.

Selected topics for qualified students.

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.

Special topics designed to meet needs and interests of groups of students. Variable subject matter: e.g., contemporary issues in SWS, etc.

Practical work must be a new experience and related to field of study.