Undergraduate Courses

Blanket Courses

Chemistry and Fertility

Physics

Biology

Morphology

Integrated Soil
Science Disciplines

For More Information

Contact our office:

Oregon State University
Department of Crop and Soil Science
Advising & Curriculum
3005 Ag. & Life Science Bldg
Corvallis, OR 97331-7306

Undergraduate Program

Thomas Chastain
Phone: (541) 737-5730
Fax: (541) 737-5725
Email

Graduate Program

Peggy Mullett
Phone: (541) 737-2894
Fax: (541) 737-5725
Email

Soils Curriculum List

CSS 499 - Physics of Soil Ecosystems (1)

Experimental elements of soil physical properties and processes allowing practical experience in the measurement and analysis of soil physical processes related to agricultural, hydrological and environmental problems. Weekly laboratory. PREREQ: CH 123 or PH 201, or equivalent

CSS 401/501/601. Research (1-16 credits).

CSS 403/503/603. Thesis (1-16 credits).

CSS 405/405H/505/605. Reading and Conference (1-16 credits; Fall, Winter & Spring terms).

CSS 506/606. Projects (1-16 credits).

CSS 407/507/607. Seminar (1 credit; Fall term).

CSS 408/508/608. Workshop (1-16 credits).

Evaluation and judging of soils in Oregon and other states; directed studies of soil morphology, soil survey, soil fertility, soil physics, soil chemistry, soil biology, and soil information systems.

CSS 509. Practicum in Teaching (1-3 credits).

Developing skills and competence in teaching soil science under staff supervision; organization and presentation of instructional material by assisting in laboratory, recitation, and lectures.

CSS 415/515. Soil Fertility Management (3 credits; Spring term).

Management of plant nutrients in agronomic systems; diagnosis of nutrient availability and prediction of crop response to fertilizers; interactions between nutrient response and chemical, physical and biological properties of soils. PREREQ: CSS 315. REQ: Courses in statistics, chemistry and plant physiology. Offered alternate years.

CSS 445/545. Geochemistry of Soil Ecosystems (4 credits; Winter term).

Structural chemistry of clay minerals and organic matter cation and anion exchange, soil solution equilibria, solubility, redox reactions, biogeochemical weathering, acidity, soil salinity, and chemical reactions affecting the transport of reactive solutes through soils. Optional lab, CSS 447/547 is available. PREREQ: CH 123, PH 201, and CSS 305 recommended.

CSS 446/546. Soil Geochemistry Laboratory (1 credits).

Measurement of soil properties and processes which influence the transport of nutrients and organic compounds through the soil environment. PREREQ: CH 123, PH 201.

CSS 635. Chemical Processes in Soil Systems (3 credits).

Application of equilibrium thermodynamics and chemical kinetics to reactions in soil systems; solubilities, complexation, cation exchange equilibria, surface chemistry, chemical modeling, and chemical transport as applied to weathering, genesis, nutrient availability, and the nature of soil acidity. PREREQ: CSS 445; CH 442 or equivalent. Offered alternate years.

CSS 535. Soil Physics (3 credits; Fall term).

Theoretical elements of soil physical properties and related to agricultural, hydrological and environmental problems. Requires concurrent: CSS 536. PREREQ: CSS 305, REC: MTH 241, CH 123, PH 201, or equivalent.

CSS 436/536. Vadose Zone Hydrology Laboratory (1)

Experimental elements of soil physical properties and processes allowing practical experience in the measurement and analysis of soil physical processes related to agricultural, hydrological and environmental problems. Weekly laboratory. PREREQ: CH 123 or PH 201, or equivalent.

CSS 455/555. Biology of Soil Ecosystems (4 credits; Winter term).

A detailed study of the organisms that live in the soil and their activities in the soil ecosystems, soil as a habitat for organism, taxonomy and biology of soil organisms, fundamentals of nutrient cycles, special topics in soil biology, review basis of soil microbial and ecological principles. PREREQ: CSS 305. REC: Courses in chemistry, physics, and microbiology.

CSS 645. Soil Biology and Biochemistry (3 credits).

Biogeochemical cycling of N, P, and S; soil microbial biomass; soil enzymes; rhizosphere biology; applications of stable isotopes in soil science; biodegradation of organic wastes; applications of molecular biology to soil microbiology; models of microbial activity in soil. PREREQ: CSS 445, MB 448; biochemistry. Offered alternate years.

CSS 466/566. Soil Morphology and Classification (4 credits; Fall term).

Observation and description of soil properties in the field; writing soil profile descriptions; evaluating criteria that define features used to classify soils; using soil classification keys. PREREQ: CSS 305.

CSS 468/568. Soil Landscape Analysis (3 credits; Spring term of odd numbered years).

CSS 665. Soil Genesis and Classification (3 credits).

Soil development; soil forming factors and processes as related to soil landscape formation and soil classification; interpretation of X-ray data for soil genesis. Offered alternate years.

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INTEGRATED SOIL SCIENCE DISCIPLINES

CSS 425/525. Sustaining Soil Productivity (3 credits; Fall term of odd numbered years).

Explores long-term impact of agriculture on soil physical, chemical and biological parameters; potential and limitations on management systems that emphasize cover crops and polycultures in relation to nutrient cycling and plant nutrition; management practices that maximize nutrient efficiency from inorganic sources, organic wastes, and plant residues. PREREQ: CSS 305. Offered alternate years.

CSS 475/575. Agricultural Management of Oregon Soil Resources (2 credits; Spring term).

Field trips to study soil and crop management for agriculture and forestry through the experiences of Oregon farmers, ranchers, and foresters. Trips visit both dryland and irrigated enterprises in eastern Oregon. Irrigated and nonirrigated operations in western Oregon, and managed forests and rangelands throughout Oregon. Field trip fee may be charged. PREREQ: Senior standing. CROSSLISTED as HORT 475/HORT 575.

CSS 485/585. Environmental Applications of Soil Science (4 credits; Spring term of even numbered years).

Applications of the principles of soil science to the understanding of and solutions to environmental problems. Topics covered include use of soil surveys, development of soil survey interpretations, use of soils as a medium for disposal and treatment of municipal and industrial wastes, groundwater contamination related to soil management, effects and control of erosion and sedimentation, soil evaluation models used in land use planning. PREREQ: CSS 305, CSS 435 recommended. Offered alternate years.

CSS 513. Properties, Processes, and Functions of Soils (4)

Physical, chemical, biological, and landscape properties; processes of fluid retention and movement, weathering and cation exchange, decomposition and C-N dynamics, erosion and sedimentation; functions of hydrologic regulation, nutrient cycling, environmental protection, ecological habitat. PREREQ: Chemistry.

CSS 523. Principles of Stable isotopes (3)

An introduction to the theory and use of stable isotopes. Applications of stable isotopes to soil science, plant physiology, hydrology, and ecosystem studies.

CSS 595. Topics in Soil Science (3 credits).

Recent issues and developments in Soil Science. Topics vary. Course can be repeated for credit.

CSS 496X/596X. Sustainable Agriculture Seminar (1 credits).

Presentations regarding sustainable agriculture by on-campus and off-campus speakers. Topics in sustainable agriculture will include: the concept, history, and philosophies; indicators in biological systems; off-site effects; modeling approaches; and the Oregon experience. CROSSLIST: AREC 496X/AREC 596X, BOT 496X/BOT 596X, ENT 496X/ENT 596X, FW 496X/FW 596X, RNG 496X/RNG 596X.

CSS 499 ST/Introduction to Organic Farming (1)

Selected topics presenting an in depth view of organic farming methods. Topics include soils, beneficial insects, plant pathogens, and more. Basic gardening knowledge preferred. Also taught as ENSC 399.

CSS 499/599. Special Topics in Crop Science and Soil Science (1-16 credits; Fall, Winter & Spring terms).

Technical knowledge and skills development courses offered in a wide array of course formats. Topics vary from term to term and year to year. May be repeated for credit when topics differ. PREREQ: Instructor approval required.

CSS 599. Critical Reviews of Soil Processes

CSS 499/599. Issues of Sustainable Agriculture -- Pests and Pest Management (1)

The overriding theme of  most issues in agriculture today is sustainability in all it's various facets - environment, economics, social impacts.  This classes will deal with the specific theme of Pest and Pest Management in agricultural sustainability.

CSS 499/599. Issues of Sustainable Agriculture -- Soil Quality (1)

The overriding theme of  most issues in agriculture today is sustainability in all it's various facets - environment, economics, social impacts.  This classes will deal with the specific theme of Soil Quality in agricultural sustainability.

CSS 499/599. Issues of Sustainable Agriculture -- Water and Watersheds (1)

The overriding theme of  most issues in agriculture today is sustainability in all it's various facets - environment, economics, social impacts.  This classes will deal with the specific theme of Water and Watersheds in agricultural sustainability.

CSS 599/699. Special Topics - Professional Development

A significant part of professional life, whether in academia or industry, involves writing. This class is intended to provide ideas and technical information on writing skills.