Soil and Surface Processes GEO-350

Spring 2023

Spring 2023

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Instructor: Dr. Hongbing Sun

Periods: Class TTH: 1:10 -2:40

lab TH: 02:50PM-05:50PM. Fri: 1:10-4:10PM.

My office is located in Science Building, room 323C. Office hours: Tuesday, Thursday morning 10-11:00 AM, Wed 10-11 AM. Other times, I might be available and you need to schedule.

E-mail: hsun@rider.edu

Course home page: http://users.rider.edu/~hsun/soil.htm

Useful soul web page marks: http://users.rider.edu/~hsun/soilweb.htm

Text: The Nature and Properties of Soils. 15th edition, by Nyle C. Brady and Ray R. Weil. Prentice Hall. Prentice Hall soil self-test web site is: http://cw.prenhall.com/soils/

Objectives:

The course will examine the physical, hydrological, chemical, and biological aspects of soil and its relation to landscape. Specific topics will include soil description, classification, soil water, soil erosion, air, soil microbiology-ecology, soil nutrient, minerals, colloids, with emphasis on the application of soil in hydrology, environmental, ecological, and agriculture fields. The course will be useful to geology, marine, environmental, biology, and geomorphology majors. Students should gain an appreciation of the natural soil environment and its relation with other fields of science.

Grading policy: Final grades are determined by the average of three equally weighted exams (54%), combined homework (9%)/lab grades (~40%). General grade averages are: A range >90, B range 80-89, C range 70-79, D range 60-69, F range <60. Use of intermediate grades (plus and minus) is at the discretion of the instructor.

Attendance is required. More than four unexcused absences may result in the lowering of the final grade by as much as a half-letter grade. Instructor/s permission for withdrawal will be given only for exceptional circumstances. The same applies for permission to take a make-up exam.

Regular attendance makes a big difference in the final grade received. Excuses for absence will be granted for approved athletic participation, approved field trips, a certified serious illness, death in the immediate family and military examinations. Absence from class, no matter what the reason, does not grant the student a chance to make up the in-class exercises or a quiz. Instructor's permission for withdrawal will be given only for exceptional circumstances. Make-up exams are generally not given and a grade of "F" is given for any regularly scheduled exam that is missed.

Schedules are tentative and may change during semester.

Week of Topics

1/23 Intro to course and requirements Chapter 1

soil and surface processes on micro-scale. Soils surrounding us, soil profiles and formation of soil

1/30 Formation of soils from parent materials Chapter 2

Weathering processes and the effect of weathering.

2/6 Soil classification, land classification Chapter 3, 17

2/13 Physical properties of soil: texture structure Chapter 4

Soil Air and Temperature Chapter 7

2/20 Soil and water Chapter 5

2/28 MIDTERM Exam I

3/2 Soil Ecology Chapter 11

3/6 Water management Chapter 6

Soil erosion Chapter 17

3/13 Soil chemistry—colloids Chapter 8

3/20 Soil reaction Chapter 9

3/28 MIDTERM EXAM II

4/3 Soil organic matter Chapter 12

4/10 Nitrogen, S, Ca, Mg, P Chapter 13

4/13 Phosphorus and Potassium Chapter 14

Macronutrients and Grad Chapter 15-16

Fertilizer

4/20 soil pollution

Soil chemical pollution Chapter 18

5/5 or Final Exam Friday 3:30 p.m. ‐ 5:30 p.m

(Or 5/2 Tuesday 1:00pm-3:00pm if everyone is open for MN period).