Unit of Study SOIL2001 Soil Processes (2024)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Science and Engineering
Placement

No

Enrolment information

There will be a compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on, or depart from, the Lismore campus. For On-campus students, there will be compulsory practical classes during the term. Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.

Unit description

Examines the main soil forming processes and the role of both organic matter and clay minerals in soil processes and properties is explored. Field soil assessment and classification skills are developed and methods for the examination of soil invertebrates introduced. The main concepts and methods used to assess soil physical and chemical properties are introduced, as is the use of soil moisture characteristics for the prediction of water movement. The behaviour of soil nutrients is examined.

Unit content

1. Introduction to soil and soil formation

2. Soil physical characteristics and water movement

3. Soil colloids (clays and humus)

4. Soil description and classification

5. Soil organic matter and biology

6. Nutrient cycles

Availabilities

Location	Domestic	International
Lismore	Term1	Term1
Online	Term1	N/A

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

describe the main soil forming processes

describe the major biological, chemical and physical properties of soils and their influence on water and nutrient cycles

assess and describe soil structure, texture and consistence and classify soils using different soil classification methods

discuss the cycling of nutrients through soil and their availability to plants.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hr (Weekly)

Laboratory 3 hrs (Four times)

Assessment
Quiz	30%
Soil Profile	30%
Workbook	40%

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hr (Weekly)

Residential 2 days (Once)

Assessment
Quiz	30%
Soil Profile	30%
Workbook	40%

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts

The following text is available free online at: https://www.publish.csiro.au/ebook/download/pdf/8016: Isbell, R.F. and the National Committee on Soil and Terrain, 2021, The Australian Soil Classification, 3rd, CSIRO, Canberra, ACT. ISBN: 978-1-486-1479-9.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

Laboratory coat and safety glasses are required for laboratory sessions.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full-fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees.

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