I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Soil Science

2. Course Prefix & Number:
AGRO 1102

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 2

Lab Hours: 2

4. Course Description:

This course is designed to give students an awareness of soil characteristics and techniques to evaluate physical and chemical properties. Practical uses of soil information and soil conservation techniques will be emphasized. Physical and chemical analysis, soil survey techniques, and agronomy practices are included in the lab.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

No placement tests required

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

SOIL210 Introduction to Soil Science – 3 Credits – North Dakota State University, SOIL1293 Soil Science – 3 Credits – University of Minnesota Crookston

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Agronomy Diploma

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate reading and listening skills	Compose weekly lab reports related to soil science.
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Determine the particle size of soil.
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Distinguish and compare different soil uses based on soil characteristics and properties of soil.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Define and determine the 7 physical properties of soil;
• Categorize the 12 different soil orders;
• Evaluate the importance of soils to agronomy;
• Utilize the basics of soil science techniques in order to determine their specific uses in agronomy;
• Determine soil particle sizes and compare to the soil triangle;
• Understand the importance of soil science and the role a soil scientist plays in agronomy;
• Understand the historical development of soil science in the US;
• Describe the use of soil maps in agronomy; and
• Describe the development of organic and mineral soils.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Introduction to Soils
• Soil Origin and Formation
2. Physical Properties of Soils
• Soil Structure
3. Soil Water
• Water Movement
• Water Infiltration
• Water Conservation
4. Plant Nutrition
• Soil Fertility
• Cation Exchange Capacity
5. Fertilizers
• Fertilizer and Amendments
6. Soil pH
• Carbon Cycle
• Nitrogen Cycle
• Phosphorus
7. Soil Classification
• Soil Orders
• Soil Mapping
• Soil Testing
• Soil Colors
8. Soil Organisms
• Nematodes
• Fungi
9. Land Suitability
• Forestry and Nutrient Management
• Soil Conservation

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions

1. Soil Horizons and Types
2. Soil Textures and Particles
3. Bulk Density and Porosity
4. Soil Water Content
5. Water Movement in Soil
6. Microbial Actions in the Soil
7. Soil Organic Content
8. Phosphorus in Soils
9. Soil Survey Manuel
10. Soil Mapping
11. Soil Typing
12. Soil Erosion
13. Soil Tests
14. Soil Amendments
15. Conducting a Percolation Test