- Course Code
- BI 15P1
- Credit Points
- 20
- Course Coordinator
- Dr M Wilson
Pre-requisites
TS 1001 or an A or B grade in Higher Maths, Physics or Chemistry or equivalent qualifications.
Notes
A student may not include BI 15P1 in their curriculum if they have already completed SS 2002 / SS 2504.
Overview
Soils form the basis of all terrestrial life and a knowledge of soils, what they are and how they function will help in understanding a broad range of issues in ecology and environmental science.
This course focuses on how soils form, what lives in them (microbes, plants and animals) and how soil chemical, physical and biological properties interact. Other topics studied include soil pollution and remediation and biogeochemical cycling. After the Easter break there are two 3-hour field trips which serve as revision sessions for the course as a whole.
Structure
Thread I: 12 weeks - 3 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: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment on field and laboratory reports (33%).