Syllabus

Lecture Schedule

Class Presentations

Study Questions

Old Tests

Projects

Office Hours:  MWF 10-11 AM or by appointment

Course Web Site: http://soils.ag.uidaho.edu/soil205

Text:
Elements of the Nature and Properties of Soils, 2nd ed. (2004). N.C. Brady and R.R. Weil. Pearson/Prentice Hall, New Jersey.

Objectives:

1. To understand the basic physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil resources
2. To learn soil science terminology
3. To appreciate the importance of soils in terrestrial ecosystems
4. To stop using the term dirt when referring to soil resources

Grades:
There will be four tests given approximately every 3-4 weeks throughout the semester. These tests will count 50 points each. Each test will emphasize the material covered since the previous test, but because of the cumulative nature of the subject matter, other material may be included. A 5th test will be given during the scheduled final exam period, which is Monday, May 11 at 10 AM. It will contain material from the entire semester. Make-up tests will not be given without prior arrangement.

Class participation will be evaluated by your performance on unannounced quizzes, questions during class, other assignments that may be given during the semester, as well as by your adherence to the Soil 205 Class Contract.

All students will be required to complete 2 soil projects that together are worth 50 points. The first project will involve soil erosion prediction and modeling. The report for this project is worth 20 points and will be due Friday, Feb. 27 at 5 PM. The second project involves accessing and interpreting soil information from the Natural Resources Conservation Service database. The report for this project is worth 30 points and will be due Friday, May 1 at 5 PM. These deadlines will be strongly enforced - any projects turned in after the designated times will be accepted, but without prior arrangement, 10 points will be deducted from the grade for each weekday the the project is late. More specific information regarding the nature of these projects will be made available during the semester.

Course grades will be based on:
• best 4 (out of 5)* test scores (total of 200 or 250 possible points) *lowest test score will be dropped if >85% of the class complete UI on-line course evaluation
• class participation score (total of 25 possible points)
• soil projects (total of 50 possible points)

The percentage of the total course points (275 or 325 possible) earned will be calculated, and grades will be assigned according to the following scale: A = 90-100%; B = 80-89%; C = 70-79%; D = 60-69%; and F = <60%.