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CSS 305: Principles of Soil Science

4 credits (3 hrs lecture + lab); prerequisite course: CH122

Co-requisite course (optional but strongly recommended):
CSS 306: Problem Solving – Soil Science Applications (1 credit)
Three sections offered:

25407	Thursday	11:00	Stag 211
24760	Thursday	2:00	Stag 412
24758	Friday	9:00	BEXL 320

 

Professor(s):

Fall Term Dr. Elizabeth Sulzman - Department of Crop and Soil Science Oregon State University Office: 3063 Ag & Life Sci. Bldg Office hours: W 3-4, R 11-12, or by appointment Phone: 737-8936

Winter Term James Cassidy- Department of Crop and Soil Science Oregon State University Office: 3075 Ag & Life Sci. Bldg. Phone: 737-6810

Course Content:

In this course you will learn about the chemical, physical, and biological nature of soils. You will also learn about the factors controlling soil development, what a soil name can tell you about the environment, and how land management decisions affect soil quality and its sustainability. The course textbook was designed around the lectures (and vice versa), so the reading assignments will reinforce lecture concepts. Lecture notes, homework assignments, reading assignments, and laboratory activities provide a multi-faceted treatment of the lecture material.

Student learning outcomes:

• Identify the five major environmental functions of soil.
• List the factors controlling soil development and describe how each of these factors has contributed to the soil we see today. View soils in the field and discuss which soil forming factors appear to have had a major influence on their development.
• Describe features of the soil environment based on a soil’s taxonomic name.
• Summarize how a soil’s properties affect its suitability for a variety of uses including agriculture, silviculture, building sites, habitat, landfills, etc. Be able to assess land use suitability in the field.
• Explain the chemical processes that control the release of nutrients from the soil matrix. Explore which cations dominate acid vs. neutral soils in the laboratory.
• Discuss controls on water availability and water movement in a soil profile. Calculate soil water availability in the laboratory.
• Discuss the roles of macrofauna, microfauna, and microflora in processing soil organic matter and their role in determining soil quality. Measure soil microbial activity in the laboratory.
• Identify management practices in both forestry and agriculture that affect soil properties and subsequent productivity.

Evaluation of student performance:

Exams: 350 points (100 each for two “mid-terms,” plus a 150-point final exam)
Laboratory: 260 points (lab assignments plus weekly 5-point quizzes)
Grand Total: 610 (odd, I know)

A: 565-610 (=93%)
A-: 546-564 (90-92%)
B+: 527-545 (87-89%)
B: 503-526 (83-86%)
B-: 485-502 (80-82%)
C+: 467-484 (77-79%)
C: 443-466 (73-76%)
C-: 424-442 (70-72%)
D+: 406-423 (67-69%)
D: 382-405 (63-66%)
D-: 363-381 (60-62%)
F = 362 (59%)

You will be permitted to take make-up exams and quizzes if: (1) you have a valid written excuse for missing the test, and (2) you notify me before the test to let me know why you'll be missing it. Note that I will be understanding, but not overly lenient on this matter. Tests will not be curved, but overall class performance will be considered and grade adjustments made, if necessary. Such adjustments will NOT lower any grades.

Learning resources:

• Textbook: Introduction to Soils, arranged by E. Sulzman and S. Frey. NOTE: for a more in-depth resource, buy the hardcover book, The Nature and Properties of Soils INSTEAD of the required paperback. All information in the paperback can be found in the hardcover. You do NOT need both texts – they are redundant. 2 copies of the text are on two-hour reserve at the library.
• Laboratory Manual (required; you will need it during the first week of class)
• Class notes (strongly recommended; the pace of lecture assumes you have the notes)
• Blackboard site used a LOT! Check it daily!

Students with Disabilities:

Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). Students with accommodations approved through SSD are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through SSD should contact SSD immediately at 737-4098.

University and Class Policy:

The goal of Oregon State University is to provide students with the knowledge, skill and wisdom they need to contribute to society. Our rules are formulated to guarantee each student's freedom to learn and to protect the fundamental rights of others. People must treat each other with dignity and respect in order for scholarship to thrive. Behaviors that are disruptive to teaching and learning will not be tolerated, and will be referred to the Student Conduct Program for disciplinary action. Behaviors that create a hostile, offensive or intimidating environment based on gender, race, ethnicity, color, religion, age, disability, marital status or sexual orientation will be referred to the Affirmative Action Office.

Expectations for Student Conduct (i.e., cheating policies):

http://oregonstate.edu/admin/stucon/achon.htm

At Oregon State University academic dishonesty is defined by the Oregon Administrative Rules 576-015-0020.1.a-c as: An intentional act of deception in which a student seeks to claim credit for the work or effort of another person or uses unauthorized materials or fabricated information in any academic work. Academic dishonesty includes:

• CHEATING - use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information or study aids or an act of deceit by which a student attempts to misrepresent mastery of academic effort or information. This includes unauthorized copying or collaboration on a test or assignment or using prohibited materials and texts.
• FABRICATION - falsification or invention of any information (including falsifying research, inventing or exaggerating data and listing incorrect or fictious references.
• ASSISTING - helping another commit an act of academic dishonesty. This includes paying or bribing someone to acquire a test or assignment, changing someone's grades or academic records, or taking a test/doing an assignment for someone else (or allowing someone to do these things for you). It is a violation of Oregon state law to create and offer to sell part or all of an education assignment to another person (ORS 165.114).
• TAMPERING - altering or interfering with evaluation instruments and documents.
• PLAGIARISM - representing the word or ideas of another person as one's own OR presenting someone else's words, ideas, artistry or data as one's own. This includes copying another person's work (including unpublished material) without appropriate referencing, presenting someone else's opinions and theories as one's own, or working jointly on a project, then submitting it as one's own.

Academic dishonesty cases are handled initially by the academic units (collection of evidence and documentation of incident, meeting with student regarding the situation, determination of responsiblity and academic penalty) but will also be referred to the Student Conduct Coordinator for action under the rules.

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