Introductory Soil Science

3 credits · Undergraduate

(3 hrs Lecture | 2 hrs Lab) This course provides an introduction to pedology, the study of soils as physical entities in their own right. A review of the history of soil science is followed by a detailed introduction to soil forming factors and soil genesis. A brief review of the US Soil Taxonomy classification system then introduces a detailed review of the Canadian Soil Classification System, and the geographic distribution of soil types. This is followed by a review of the physical and chemical properties of soils, soil organisms and soil organic matter. The course concludes with an introduction to edaphology, the study of soils from the point of view of their plant cover. Laboratory sessions deal with the physical and chemical properties of soils using soil samples collected on one or more field trips, and with soil classification. Restrictions: Students may not hold credit for this course and GEOG-2203. Requisite Courses: GEOG 1205(3), or the former GEOG-1201(3) and the former GEOG-1202(3) or permission of instructor [prerequisite(s)]; GEOG-2213L (lab) (must be taken concurrently).