Undergraduate - UnitENV2747 - Soil science

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

Topics include the nature of soil, its formation and classification; physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil; soil organic matter; chemistry of the nutrients in soil including ion exchange, ion sorption, redox potential; environmental impact of soil salinity, acidity and soil erosion and their management practices; effect of human inputs and activities on soils including agrochemicals, agricultural and industrial wastes and pollutants.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit student will gain an understanding of: the fundamental properties of soil and its composition; the role of physical, chemical and biological properties of soil in maintaining soil fertility; the chemistry of essential plant nutrients including N, P, K, and trace metals; the biotransformation of selected plant nutrients; environmental and resource issues relevant to soil including acidity, salinity, soil erosion, chemical pollution, soil management practices and effects of human inputs to soil; the use of selected laboratory and field techniques to assess soil chemical and physical properties

Assessment

Written examination: 60%
Written assignments/field excursion report: 15%
Laboratory work: 25%

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Tony Patti

Contact hours

3 hours lectures/tutorial per week and 3 hours of practical work per week

Prerequisites

One of CHM1022, CHM1639 or CHM1742; or one of CHM1011, CHM1031 or CHM1731 together with ATS2774