ECTS
ECTS Course Catalogue
Course details
Course code: RSSS10131o14Semester: 2014/2015 winter
Name: Soil Science
Major: Environmental Protection
Study Type: first cycle
Course type: compulsory
Study Semester: 1
ECTS points: 4
Hours (Lectures / Tutorials / Other): 15 / 30 / 0
Lecturer: prof. dr hab. Cezary Kabała
Language of instruction: English
Learning outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students should have a good understanding of: key chemical, physical and biological properties of soils; the formation and pattern of soils in the landscape; terminology and basic methods used to describe and characterize soils; interrelationships between soils and land management practices; the role of soils in environmental quality and sustainability.
Competences: Students will gain an appreciation of soil as a valuable natural resource and as an integral and essential part of terrestrial ecosystems, and will be able to utilize their knowledge of soil science to solve relevant issues confronted in their academic and professional careers.
Prerequisites: Geology (basic course), Physics (basic course), Chemistry (basic course).
Course content: Soil functions in natural ecosystems, agriculture and engineering. Factors influencing soil formation: parent material, climate, biota – living organisms, topography, and time. Basic processes of soil formation. Mineral and organic soils and their primary constituents. Soil texture. Polish and international classifications of soil textural classes. Structure of mineral soils. Factors influencing formation and stabilization of soil aggregates. Porosity of soils. Vertical movement of water in soil (capillary mechanism). Soil water content and soil water potential. Water availability to plants. Influence of soil aeration on soil biota and soil productivity. Organic matter in soils. Mineral and organic soil colloids. Adsorption of cations and anions. Cation exchange capacity of soils. Influence of acidity on soil processes and productivity. Raising and lowering of soil pH. Sources and cycles of basic macro- and micronutrients in soils. Sustainable soil fertility and productivity – influence of soil use and management practices.
Recommended literature: 1) Brady N., Weil R.: The Nature and Properties of Soils. Pearson, USA (basic textbook). 2) Singer M. J., Munns D. N.: Soils: an Introduction. Pearson, USA. 3) Tan K. H.: Environmental Soil Science. CRC Press, USA. 4) Tan K. H.: Soil Sampling, Preparation and Analysis. CRC Press, USA (tutorial book). Additional textbooks for Polish-speaking students: 5) Zawadzki S. (red.): Gleboznawstwo. PWRiL, Warszawa. 6) Drozd J., Licznar M., Licznar S.E., Weber J.: Gleboznawstwo z elementami mineralogii i petrografii. Wyd. UP, Wrocław.
Assessment methods: Completion of laboratory training and written exam; minimum 60% of knowledge to pass.
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