Soil Science (SOIL)
Head of Department: Professor Mary E. Musgrave
Department Office: Room 119, W.B. Young Building
For major requirements, see the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources section of this Catalog.
205. Soil Formation and Classification
(Formerly offered as PLSC 205.) First semester, alternate years (even). Three credits. Recommended preparation: an introductory course in soil science and an introductory course in geology. Field trips required.
Nomenclature and techniques required to describe and characterize soils as natural bodies occurring on geomorphic surfaces. Theories of soil genesis and major systems of soil taxonomy in theory and in practice.
235. Urban and Sports Turf Soils
Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisites: SOIL 251. Jointly taught with SAPL 052.
Physical and engineering properties of soils and root zone mixes utilized for landscapes, horticulture production, golf course putting greens and athletic fields. Areas of emphasis will include: preparation and evaluation of project specifications, root zone constituent selection, design and installation of drainage systems, evaluating soils and root zone mixes prior to construction by conducting and assessing laboratory performance testing, examining construction techniques and maintaining quality control during construction.
251. Soils
(Formerly offered as PLSC 251.) Second semester. Three credits. Two class periods. Prerequisite: CHEM 122, 127 or 129. Not open for credit to students who have passed PLSC 250. Open to sophomores or higher. Schulthess
Introduction to the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils. The relationship between soils and the growth of higher plants. Impact of soils on environmental quality.
252. Soils Lab
(Formerly offered as PLSC 252.) Second semester. One credit. One 2-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: SOIL 251, which may be taken concurrently. Open to sophomores or higher. Not open to students who have passed PLSC 250. Schulthess
Basic laboratory analysis of the physical and chemical properties of soil. Includes weekend field trips.
253. Soils, Environmental Quality, and Land Use
(Formerly offered as PLSC 253.) Second semester, alternate years (even). Three credits. Three class periods plus required field trips. Prerequisite: SOIL 251. Not open for credit to students that have passed PLSC 209.
Principles and procedures for using soils information in solving environmental and land use problems. The functions of soils in natural ecosystems and in the hydrologic cycle will be included.
258. Soil Fertility
(Formerly offered as PLSC 258.) First semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: SOIL 251. Offered in odd-numbered years. Schulthess
Factors governing nutrient uptake by plants, fate of nutrients applied to soils, principles and practices in the manufacture and use of fertilizers for crop production, laboratory and greenhouse studies of soil and plant response to applied nutrients.
259C. Soil Chemistry Components
(Formerly offered as PLSC 259C.) (Also offered as ENVE 259C.) First semester, alternate years (even). Four credits. Three class periods and one 2-hour computer laboratory period. Prerequisite: CHEM 128 and 141. Recommended preparation: SOIL 251 and 252. Schulthess
Basic concepts of the physical chemistry of soil constituents. Topics include soil atmospheres, soil solutions, soil organic matter, soil mineralogy, and surface characteristics and analysis
273. Soil Chemistry Reactions and Equilibria
(Formerly offered as PLSC 273.) First semester, alternate years (odd). Three credits. Three class periods. Prerequisite: CHEM 128 and 141 and MATH 112. Recommended preparation: SOIL 251 and 252. Schulthess
Physical chemical characteristics of soil minerals and soil organic matter, and their reactivity with compounds present in the aqueous and vapor phase. Topics include: redox reactions, adsorption and desorption measurements, electrokinetics, adsorption modeling, and basic principals of soil modification and remediation practices.
