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Soil and Surface Processes GEO-350Spring 2009 Dr. Hongbing Sun |
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Office: S323C. Office Hours M: 1:10 to 2:10pm, T, W: 1:10 to 2:10pm. I am available for consultation any time I am in my office. However, there are times I may not be in my office. So it's always a good idea to call before you visit when it is not my office hour. You can also e-mail me if you can't find a time to come in. My Email is: hsun@.rider.edu
Text:
The Nature and Properties of Soils. 14th edition, 2008, by Nyle C. Brady and
Ray R. Weil. Prentice Hall. Prentice Hall’s soil
self-test web site is: http://cw.prenhall.com/soils/
Objectives:
The
course will examine the physical, hydrological, chemical and biological aspects
of soil and its relation to landscape. Specific topics will include soil
description, classification, soil water, soil erosion, air, soil
microbiology-ecology, soil nutrient, minerals, colloids,
with emphasis on the application of soil in hydrology, environmental and
agricultural fields. The course will be useful to geology, marine science,
environmental science, biology, geomorphology and
agriculture majors. Students should gain an appreciation of the natural
soil environment and its relation with other fields of science.
Grading
policy: Final grades are determined by the average of three equally
weighted exams (55%), home work (5%), and lab grades (~40%). General grade
averages are: A range >90, B range 80-89, C range 70-79, D range 60-69, F
range <60.
Attendance is required. More than three unexcused absences
may result in the lowering of the final grade by as much as a full-letter
grade. Instructor’s permission for withdrawal will be given only for
exceptional circumstances. The same applies for permission to take a
make-up exam.
Weekly Schedule
Schedules are tentative and may change during semester.
Week of Topics
1/26
Intro to course and requirements;
Chapter 1
soil and surface processes on
micro-scale.
Soils surrounding us, soil profiles and formation of soil
2/2
Formation of soils from parent materials.
Chapter 2
Weathering processes and the effect of
weathering.
2/9
Soil classification, land classification
Chapter 3, 17
2/16
Physical properties of soil: texture
structure
Chapter 4
Soil Air and
Temperature
Chapter 7
2/23
Soil and
water
Chapter 5
2/27
MIDTERM Exam I
Water
management
Chapter 6
3/2 Soil
erosion
Chapter 17
3/9
Soil chemistry--
colloids
Chapter 8
3/16-22
Spring recession
Soil chemical
pollution
Chapter
18
3/30
Soil
Ecology
Chapter 11.
4/6
Soil organic
matter
Chapter 12
4/13
Nitrogen, S, Ca, Mg,
P
Chapter 13
4/20
Phosphorus and
Potassium
Chapter 14
4/27
Macronutrients and
Grade
Chapter 15-16
5/1
Fertilizer
5/7
Final Exam 9:30-11:30.
Lab
Term Project:
Select a site around the area (woody area, grass area, farm field or lake area), (1) collect soil samples using a soil auger and/or shovel, bag the sample and mark the bag (location, date collected, persons who collect it and depth); (2) describe and draw a soil profile (texture, color, organic content, moisture change, mineral contents, classification, microbes, plants nutrient deficiency if observed etc.). Turn in the report and samples. Deadline, the final class day. Two people work as a group when you go out to collect sample. But you have to work on the report individually.
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E-mail Dr. Sun: hsun@rider.edu
Last updated 1/21/2009