Office: S323C. Office Hours: M: 1:10 to 2:10pm, T, TH: 2:20 to 3:20pm, I am available for consultation any time I am in my office. However, there are times I may not be in my office.  So it's always a good idea to call before you visit when it is not my office hour. You can also e-mail me if you can't find a time to come in. My Email is: hsun@.rider.edu Text: The Nature and Properties of Soils. 2rd edition,2004,  by Nyle C. Brady and  Ray R. Weil. Prentice Hall. Prentice Hall
Its 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 and agricultural fields. The course will be useful to geology, marine science, environmental science, biology, geomorphology and agriculture 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 (75%), combined homework/lab grades (~17%) and term project 8%. General grade averages are: A range >90, B range 80-89, C range 70-79, D range 60-69, F range <60.

Weekly Schedule

Week of                                   Topics

1/24                Intro to course and requirements;                                  Chapter 1

soil and surface processes on micro-scale.                                

Soils surrounding us,  soil profiles and formation of soil

2/7                   Soil classification, land classification                               Chapter 3, 17

2/14                 Physical properties of soil: texture structure                    Chapter 4

2/28                 Water management                                                       Chapter 6

                        Soil erosion                                                                  Chapter 17

3/14-20            Spring recession

3/21                 Soil reaction                                                                 Chapter 9

                        Soil chemical pollution                                                   Chapter 18                  

4/11                 Nitrogen, S, Ca, Mg, P                                     Chapter 13

4/18                 Phosphorus and Potassium                                            Chapter 14

4/25                 Macronutrients and Grade                                            Chapter 15-16

Term Project:

Select a site around the area (woody area, grass area, farm field or lake area), (1) collect soil samples using a soil auger and/or shovel, bag the sample and mark the bag (location, date collected, persons who collect it and depth); (2) describe and draw a soil profile (texture, color, organic content, moisture change, mineral contents, classification, microbes, plants nutrient deficiency if observed etc.). Turn in the report and samples. Deadline, the final class day. Two people work as a group when you go out to collect sample. But you have to work on the report individually.

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