| Course ID: | PRO-SE>SOILSCI |
| Course title: | SOIL SCIENCE |
| Semester: | 2 / Spring |
| ECTS: | 7 |
| Lectures/Classes: | 30 / 30 hours |
| Field of study: | Agriculture |
| Study cycle: | 1st cycle |
| Type of course: | compulsory |
| Prerequisites: | |
| Contact person: | prof. dr hab. inż. Cezary Kabała cezary.kabala@upwr.edu.pl |
| Short description: | Upon completion of this course, students should have a good understanding of: key chemical, physical and biological properties of soils; the formation and pattern of soils in the landscape; terminology and basic methods used to describe and characterize soils; interrelationships between soils and land management practices; the role of soils in environmental quality and sustainability. Students will gain an appreciation of soil as a valuable natural resource and as an integral and essential part of terrestrial ecosystems, and will be able to utilize their knowledge of soil science to solve relevant issues confronted in their academic and professional careers. |
| Full description: | Soil functions in natural ecosystems, agriculture and engineering. Factors influencing soil formation: parent material, climate, biota – living organisms, topography, and time. Basic processes of soil formation. Mineral and organic soils and their primary constituents. Soil texture. Polish and international classifications of soil textural classes. Structure of mineral soils. Factors influencing formation and stabilization of soil aggregates. Porosity of soils. Vertical movement of water in soil (capillary mechanism). Soil water content and soil water potential. Water availability to plants. Influence of soil aeration on soil biota and soil productivity. Organic matter in soils. Mineral and organic soil colloids. Adsorption of cations and anions. Cation exchange capacity of soils. Influence of acidity on soil processes and productivity. Raising and lowering of soil pH. Sources and cycles of basic macro- and micronutrients in soils. Sustainable soil fertility and productivity – influence of soil use and management practices. Soil evaluation. Soil classification. Soil maps. |
| Bibliography: | 1) Brady N., Weil R.: The Nature and Properties of Soils. Pearson, USA (basic textbook). 2) Singer M. J., Munns D. N.: Soils: an Introduction. Pearson, USA. 3) Tan K. H.: Environmental Soil Science. CRC Press, USA. 4) Tan K. H.: Soil Sampling, Preparation and Analysis. CRC Press, USA (tutorial book). |
| Learning outcomes: | It has a basic knowledge of the processes and the transformation of physical, chemical, biochemical processes in the soil. It has a general knowledge of the physical processes occurring in the soil, they need to understand the phenomena occurring in agricultural production and the environment. He knows the structure of soil, its scheme and criteria for the classification of soils, and their impact on the yield of plants. He can perform and solve simple tasks and research projects under the guidance of a tutor. He can analyze the factors affecting agricultural production and quality and the environment. He can take action to resolve the problems unions, and is aware of self-education and improving professional competence. He is responsible for his own work and teamwork, can work in the group being aware of the risk of crop and livestock production. He is aware of the importance and responsibility for the quality of crop production and the natural environment as well as professional ethics and professional execution of their profession. |
| Assessment methods and assessment criteria: | written exam tests Individual work in groups and class discussion |