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Syllabus for: PLSS 240 Soil Science
Class Meetings: MWF 1:00 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. I. Instructors: B.P. Klubek, bklubek@siu.edu, (161G), and E.C. Varsa, varsae@siu.edu, (161B), Fall Semesters; B.P. Klubek and S.K. Chong, skchong@siu.edu, (161F), Spring Semesters II. Office Hours: MWF 2-3 p.m.III. Help Session Hours: Optional IV. Text: "The Nature and Properties of Soils": 13th Edition, N.C. Brady V. Purpose of the Course: This 4-hour course is designed to introduce the student to the basic and applied concepts of soil science: A. Understand the biological, chemical, and physical properties of soil B. Understand the origin, classification, and distribution of soils C. Understand the relationship of soils, humans (environment), and plant growth VI. Course Requirements: A. Lectures: Transparencies will be used with an overhead projector. If you copy all materials from transparencies to your notes, you will find it difficult to listen to the lectures. We suggest that you bring your text so that any complementary materials given in lectures can be referred to and cited in the text for completeness of understanding. B. Tests: Tests, covering all materials given to that date since the previous test, will be given every 3 weeks. These will be 100 point exams covering lectures and test assignments. A final, comprehensive examination, valued at 200 points, will also be given. The dates for the examinations (2003) will be as follows: 1st hourly: Sept. 5 2nd hourly: Sept. 26 3rd hourly: Oct. 17 4th hourly: Nov. 7 Final Exam: Dec. 8-12 VI. Grading: Grades will be adjusted on each exam such that the student with the top score will be equivalent to 100 percent. At the end of the semester, students achieving an average overall score of 92-100 will be assigned A’s; 84-91 B’s; 76-83 C’s; 68-75 D’s and less than 68 F’s. Your total possible score determining your grade will be 600 points for the lectures, which is 75% of your grade. The other 25% will be from your lab work, which is worth 200 points. VIII. Dates worth noting during the semester: Aug. 22 Last day to add a class or change section Aug. 2930 Last day to change audit or credit status in a course without a grade Sept. 1 Holiday-Labor Day Oct. 13 Last day to drop a course Nov. 22-30 Thanksgiving Vacation Dec. 8-12 Final Exams IX. Presentation of Course Materials A. The Soils Around Us (Chapter 1) B. Formation of Soils from Parent Materials (Chapter 2) C. Soil Classification (Chapter 3) D. Soil Architecture and Physical Properties (Chapter 4) E. Soil Water: Characteristics and Behavior (Chapter 5) F. Soil Colloids: Seat of Soil Chemical and Physical Activity (Chapter 8) G. Soil Reaction: Acidity (Chapter 9) and Alkalinity (Chapter 10) H. Organisms and Ecology of the Soil (Chapter 11) I. Soil Organic Matter (Chapter 12) J. Soil Erosion and Its Control (Chapter 17) PLSS 240 - Laboratory, Fall Semester 2003 Manual: Introductory Experimental Soil Science, B.R. Sabey et al. 2003. Stipes Publishing L.L.C., Champaign, Illinois 61820 NOTE WELL: The laboratory is used to cover the exercises and supplement lectures. In some cases, this is the only exposure to essential material, so bring your notebook. From past experiences, most students have difficulty with the course were found to have poor laboratory attendance records - late or absent. The exercises to be performed are listed below: You will be expected to have read over and understood the exercise before the laboratory period. A short discussion will precede each period during which you may question the instructor concerning the work to be done. Individual laboratory reports of the previous week’s experiment should be turned in at the beginning of each period. The specifications of the laboratory reports will be explained by the instructor. Each report will be graded on the basis of 10 points. Lab 1. Issue key and check the contents of your laboratory drawer (failure to return key will result in grade of incomplete). A key deposit of $1.00 per student will be required. Lab 2. Soil Horizon Differentiation. *Pages 11-14. Soil Forming Rocks and Minerals. *Pages 34-35. Lab 3. Field Trip Lab 4. Soil Texture. *Pages 127-133. Lab 5. Soil Structure and Pore Space. *Pages 133-152. Lab 6. Soil Moisture I. *Pages 177-194. Lab 7. Soil Moisture II. Lab 8. Soil Organic Matter. Pages 498-502; 526-533. Lab 9. Limestone and Soil Reaction (pH) I. *Pages 363-393. Lab 10. Limestone and Soil Reaction (pH) II. *Pages 393-400. Biological Activity, *Pages 502-509. Lab 11. Soil Salinity. *Pages 422-441. Lab 12. Extractable Soil Phosphorus. *Pages 593-620. Lab 13. Extractable Potassium. *Pages 621-634. Lab 14. Soil Land Use Management. *Pages 840-855; 859-868. Biological Activity Lab 15. Don’t forget your lab keys! Check out contents of lab drawer and indicate items missing on check sheet. Leave check sheet in drawer, informal course evaluation. *Corresponding Reading Material in Text.
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