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SOIL310 Environmental Soil Science

Updated: 06 April 2010
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study Online Level
Armidale Semester 1 Off Campus D - Comp/internet essential
Armidale Semester 1 On Campus D - Comp/internet essential
Intensive School(s)
Start Finish Attendance Notes
19 April 2010 21 April 2010 Mandatory
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites SOIL220 or candidature in a postgraduate award in the School of Environmental and Rural Science or School of Science and Technology
Co-requisites None
Restrictions SOIL510
Notes None
Combined Units SOIL510 - Environmental Soil Science
Coordinator(s) Susan Wilson (swilso24@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

The unit aims to provide students with the conceptual, analytical and experimental skills that they need to deal with the problems of managing soil on a scientifically based, environmentally safe, and ecologically sustainable manner. Topics include: chemical, physical and biological characteristics and processes; water retention and movement; soil nutrients and their management; ecological implications of soil/water/nutrient interactions; soil contaminants and their management; soil erosion processes and prediction techniques, soil salinity; soil biota and its importance. Assessment includes practical assignments, written assignments, online quizzes and one final examination.
Recommended Material
Optional 		Text(s):

Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library - purchase is optional

SOIL310/510 Study Guide
ISBN: ARDF02
School of Environmental and Rural Science
Note: On campus students only. Available from the United Campus Bookshops, UNE
Text refers to: Semester 1 , On Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Online Assessment 26%
Assessment Notes
4 Components
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1 GA: 1
Practical Assignment 24%
Assessment Notes
3 Components No limit of diagrams and words
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 3 GA: 1, 2, 5
Final Examination 3 hrs 50%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 3 GA: 1, 6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. demonstrate an in-depth understanding of specific soil physical, biological and chemical processes which affect the functioning of the soil-water-plant-atmosphere continuum;
  2. have a good knowledge of major land degradation issues and approaches to their management;
  3. have an awareness of an advanced set of techniques to measure physical, biological and chemical soil properties.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Students are dealing with soil management issues in a problem-based learning scenario based on a realistic situation. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
Students are expected to debate issues in class and during practical sessions. 		True True
3 Global Perspectives
Students examine land degradation and soil management examples from around the world. 		True True
4 Information Literacy
Students are instructed, assessed and expected to demonstrate research capacity in written assignments, and utilise a wide range of sources. 		True
5 Life-Long Learning
Students are instructed in, assessed and practice learning skills that will be useful to them beyond the unit of learning. 		True True
6 Problem Solving
Students undertake problem based learning tasks during practical sessions that involve problem solving. 		True True True
7 Social Responsibility
Students are taught social responsibility in relation to land management. 		True
8 Team Work
Students work together in small groups during practical sessions. 		True True
   

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