Level 2
- SS 2002 - INTRODUCTION TO SOILS
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- Credit Points
- 15
- Course Coordinator
- Dr M Wilson
Pre-requisites
TS 1001 or an A or B grade in Higher Maths, Physics or Chemistry or equivalent qualifications.
Overview
Soils form one of the three main components of our environment and their conservation is essential for sustained life on earth. How soils interact with water, plants, microorganisms and pollutants is also crucial to understanding how to manage the planet.
The course forms a basis for understanding soil geography, properties and environmental processes in soils. Topics covered include: the origin and development of soils; processes in the soil system; the soil physical, chemical and biological environment (including element cycling, soil organic matter and microbial habits).
Structure
Thread I: 12 weeks - 2 one-hour lectures per week and 1 three-hour practical or field trip every other week.
To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.
Assessment
1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment on field and laboratory reports (33%).
Resit: As per 1st attempt.
Level 3
- SS 3008 - GLOBAL SOIL GEOGRAPHY
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- Credit Points
- 15
- Course Coordinator
- Dr M Billet and Dr G Paton
Pre-requisites
Overview
Factors of soil formation, in particular the importance of parent material; key global soil forming processes; systems of soil classification; geographical distribution of world soils; approaches to mapping and surveying soils.
Structure
Thread I: 6 weeks – 3 one-hour lectures per week and 5 field trips and one practical class.
To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.
Assessment
1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%) and in-course assessment (50%).
Resit: 1 two hour exam.