EARTH221-23B (HAM)

Soil Science

15 Points

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The University of Waikato
Academic Divisions
Division of Health Engineering Computing & Science
School of Science
Earth Sciences

Staff

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Convenor(s)

Marlena Prentice

Marlena Prentice
F.1.02
See Moodle
marlena.prentice@waikato.ac.nz

Lecturer(s)

Dori Torres-Rojas

Dori Torres-Rojas
CELL
E.1.09
See Moodle
dori.torres-rojas@waikato.ac.nz

Louis Schipper

Louis Schipper
4468
FG.3.03
See Moodle
louis.schipper@waikato.ac.nz

Administrator(s)

Placement/WIL Coordinator(s)

Tutor(s)

Student Representative(s)

Lab Technician(s)

Librarian(s)

You can contact staff by:

  • Calling +64 7 838 4466 select option 1, then enter the extension.
  • Extensions starting with 4, 5, 9 or 3 can also be direct dialled:
    • For extensions starting with 4: dial +64 7 838 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 5: dial +64 7 858 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 9: dial +64 7 837 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 3: dial +64 7 2620 + the last 3 digits of the extension e.g. 3123 = +64 7 262 0123.
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What this paper is about

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Welcome to the paper "Soil Science".

This paper will provide an introduction to the nature, formation, and classification of soils, their physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological properties, and issues of soil quality, land degradation and sustainable management.

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How this paper will be taught

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The paper is composed of lectures, laboratories (which are streamed, A and B), a 3-hr field trip, and tutorials. The paper will run during Trimester B and will start Monday 10 July. Lectures and labs both commence in week 1.

This paper is supported by learning resources accessed via Moodle.

Lectures: There will normally be three one-hour lectures per week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Refer to the timetable below for times and room numbers.

Labs: We have three labs in total*. Students must attend one stream of the labs (A or B) in person, including the essential introductory laboratory session (Lab 1: 1.5 hours) on Thursday 13 July.

*Note: we are using the lab time slot 9 am -12 noon for the soils field trip (entire class) scheduled for Thursday 21 September.

Field trip: There will be a 3-hr soils field trip in person to a local site on Thursday 21 September from 9 am to 12 noon (i.e. in the scheduled lab time slot). All students must attend the field trip. More details will be provided nearer the time.

Tutorials: A number are scheduled and will occur during the regular lecture slots: see below and main schedule below.

Tests: Two tests are scheduled, each 50 minutes in duration, and will be held in person on campus. They cover the first and second halves of the paper.

Final exam: An final exam in the exam period completes the assessment. More details will be provided later.

Note that the following initials are used in the schedule of lectures and tutorials below:

MP = Marlena Prentice

LAS = Prof Louis Schipper

DTR = Dr Dori Torres-Rojas

Other abbreviations in the lecture schedule will be explained in the lectures.

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Required Readings

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Copies of PowerPoint lectures in full will be provided on Moodle before the lectures to allow extra note-taking (optional, print off your own copy if desired).

A lab manual will be available for downloading from Moodle (please print off your own copy).

The field trip guide will be available for downloading from Moodle (please print off your own copy).

Two field guide books will be lent to students to save costs. They will be available for collection before the field trip from the FG Link reception area. They must be returned in good order at the end of the paper to the same staff in FG Link (ground floor). Some of you may get a copy of a single volume that combines the two booklets into one.

(i) B. Clayden & A.E. Hewitt Horizon Notation for New Zealand Soils (reprinted courtesy of Manaaki Whenua Press and Landcare Research); and

(ii) Guide to Pedon Description compiled by D.J. Lowe.

if you intend going on in soil science or pedology, you are welcome to purchase your own private copy of these two booklets which have now (from 2020) been compiled into a single volume. They are available for purchase from Waikato Print Shop (single booklet "Pedon description" with white covers, with Clayden and Hewitt's soil horizon notation at the back).

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Learning Outcomes

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Students who successfully complete the course should be able to:

  • Explain the role of soil science as a central discipline in the geosciences and wider community
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  • Communicate effectively through written reports
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  • Describe key features of soil profiles/pedons including horizonation and show the general distribution of soil types on a large-scale map
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  • Describe the physical properties of soil and their importance including the storage of water and air and their movement into and out of soil
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  • Describe the biology community of soil and the pools of organic matter and nutrients (specifically C, N, and P) in soil and explain how they are cycled
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  • Describe the clay mineralogy of soil, exchange mechanisms of cations and anions
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  • Collect, analyse and interpret field and laboratory data appropriate to soil science
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  • Describe soil formation and explain the broad pattern of soils in part of the Waikato region
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  • Describe the general pattern of soils in New Zealand and some of their land-use attributes
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  • Describe the macro and micronutrient in soil and their availability to organisms
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  • Describe use of the language of communication about soils via soil classification
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  • Undertake basic soil investigation in the field including soil mapping and selection of soil profile sites and reference data, and the description of soil profiles using appropriate (pedological) terminology
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  • Undertake soil investigation methods in the laboratory including a range of soil chemical and soil physical analytical techniques
    Linked to the following assessments:
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Assessments

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How you will be assessed

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Information about each item is provided in the lab manual and field trip guide, and in class/tutorials
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The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 50:50. There is no final exam. The final exam makes up 50% of the overall mark.

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 50:50 or 0:0, whichever is more favourable for the student. The final exam makes up either 50% or 0% of the overall mark.

Component DescriptionDue Date TimePercentage of overall markSubmission MethodCompulsory
1. Lab report no. 1
7 Aug 2023
5:00 PM
7
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
2. Lab report no. 2
21 Aug 2023
5:00 PM
7
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
3. Test 1 (1st half of paper)
6 Sep 2023
12:00 PM
12
  • In Class: In Lecture
4. Field report
25 Sep 2023
5:00 PM
7
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
5. Test 2 (2nd half of paper)
11 Oct 2023
12:00 PM
12
  • In Class: In Lecture
6. Online quizzes
5
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
7. Exam
50
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Assessment Total:     100    
Failing to complete a compulsory assessment component of a paper will result in an IC grade
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