COURSE SCHEDULE

Duration:3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, 4 credits Lecture: 1:00-2:15 PM M, 1:30-2:45 PM T; OCNPS Rm 203 Lab: 12:00-3:00 PM W; OCNPS Rm 309

Click For More information

Introductory Soils (GEOL 408/508) is a beginning course in soil science where the student will learn the important functions of this thin, fragile surface layer of Earth.We begin with the basic physical, chemical and biological properties, how soils form, how they are degraded and destroyed.Very importantly, we will study the soil as a dynamic, living, integrated system.Multiple processes occur simultaneously within a soil profile and determine the rate of development and properties.The soil type at a given point in time is a function of the sum of all processes occurring in the system.The ability to conceptualize a complex three-dimensional system is paramount to attaining a thorough understanding of soil science.Soils have been called “the excited skin of the earth” where geology, biology, chemistry and physics combine.

So, the challenge of this course is to first learn the fundamental components, processes and characteristics and then to weave them together into a dynamic system that you understand.

COURSE RELATED LINKS

The 12 Soil Orders:
http://soils.ag.uidaho.edu/soilorders/
The Worldwide Soil Jump Station:
http://soil.hostweb.org.uk/
Internet Glossary of Soil Science Terms:
http://www.soils.org/sssagloss/index.html
NRCS State Soils Photo Gallery:
http://soils.usda.gov/gallery/
Virginia State Soil
(PDF)
Field Indicators of Hydric soils in the United States:
http://www.dlese.org/dds/catalog_DLESE-000-000-002-341.htm
(Updates at: http://soils.usda.gov/use/hydric/)
EPA Mid-Atlantic Hydric Soils Committee:
http://www.epa.gov/reg3esd1/hydricsoils/