41006 Principles of Soil Science
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2018 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 65111 Chemistry 1
Description
This subject provides an introduction to soil science, covering key elements of soil environment, unsaturated soil, and soil management. The course emphasises the practical application of soil science to addressing problems such as contaminated land and land management.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Describe the key properties of soil in relation to soil behaviour |
|---|---|
| 2. | Differentiate the common geochemical processes that affect the behaviour of elements |
| 3. | Predict the behaviour of unsaturated soil through measurement of soil properties |
| 4. | Explain the common contaminants in soil and their transfer between soil, water, plants and animals |
| 5. | Discuss and present a management plan for dealing with contaminated soil |
Teaching and learning strategies
Face to face lectures including group design
Excersises in tutorials
Online learning material
Content (topics)
Introduction to soil science and engineering
Soil composition
Soil organisms
Soil water and hydrology
Nutrient cycling
Maintenance of soil productivity
Unsaturated soil
Suction measurement and control
Modelling of unsaturated soil
Thermodynamics of soil systems
Soil pollution and contaminated land
Hazardous waste management
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Coursework
| Weight: | 20% |
|---|
Assessment task 2: Lab Report
| Weight: | 20% |
|---|
Assessment task 3: Exam
| Weight: | 60% |
|---|
Minimum requirements
45% to pass.
Required texts
Robert E. White, 2005, Principles and Practice of Soil Science: The Soil as a Natural Resource, 4th Edition, Wiley-Blackwell, ISBN: 978-0-632-06455-7, 384 pages.
E.J. Murray, V. Sivakumar, 2010, Unsaturated Soils: A fundamental interpretation of soil behaviour, Wiley-Blackwell, ISBN: 978-1-4443-3212-4, 304 pages.
Recommended texts
Web of science
Sciencedirect
