Last modified: 05 Oct 2023 08:46
Field based course that takes you across northeast Scotland exploring an ancient tropical rainforest, hill farming in action, survey techniques and soil formation.
Lectures focus on how soils form, how soils work, soil classification, soil as part of the environment, human impacts on soil, and the use of mapping and soil data to optimise the management of this fragile resource.
Your assessments are geared towards developing practical skills. This includes a presentation on a particular soil that requires research akin to detective work, quizzes on soil properties and classification and a critical essay on a selected topic.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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This course is structured to provide an introduction to soil science. It starts with the formation of soils, bridging geological and biological processes that impact at local, regional and global scale. This understanding is used to learn the classification and taxonomy of soils, taught in the context of field surveying and environmental planning. Threats to soil from humans and environmental change are also covered. Weekly field trips provide hands-on experience across northeast Scotland.
By the end of the course you should be able to:
Taught topics covered include:
The factors of soil formation
Soils of the world
Human impacts on soils
Soil quality
Soil classification
Soil survey
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments. |
Word Count | ||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during discussions, field trips, practicals and presentations. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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There are no assessments for this course.
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Remember | ILO’s for this course are available in the course guide. |
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