This course provides the fundamental principles of the nature and properties of soils including their origin, formation and biological, chemical and physical aspects. Soil dynamics, texture, structure, and soil reactions will be studied.
Course Alignment
AGHT 1254 Basic Soils was designed to meet specific student needs either individually or within a program. Transferability of this course will be determined by each transfer institution. Please see an academic advisor for an explanation concerning transfer option.
Faculty Contact Information
by appointment
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Develop an understanding and knowledge of the basic and applied chemical, physical, and biological concepts in soils
- Explain the foundation and derivation of soils of significant agricultural importance in the area
- Describe the procedures and methods used in the testing and analysis of soil properties related to crop production
- Analyze soils based on soil texture, structure, and chemical makeup
- Identify means of soil management and soil conservation
- Rocks to soil
- Particles, structures and water
- Soil parent materials and texture
- Soil surfaces, acidity, and nutrients
- Soil chemistry
- Soil testing, fertility, nitrogen and nitrates
- Soil microbes and nutrient cyclying
- Soil biology and organic matter
Essential Soil Science M.R. Ashman and G. Puri Blackwell Publishing 2002 ISBN 978-0-632-04885-4
Students will be evaluated by the following criteria:
1. Lecture quizzes (20%)
2. Laboratory exercises and worksheets (40%)
3. Lecture midterm and final exams (20%)
4. Soil ID project (10%)
5. Professionalism (10%)
Grading scale:
100 – 90 A
89 – 80 B
79 – 70 C
69 – 60 D
59 and lower F
Business, Technology & Human Services
Dean, Paul Carlson; 815-802-8858; V105; pcarlson@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8650
Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory. If a class or lab session must be missed, arrangements must be made prior to the absence. If an absence is not planned, a valid excuse (i.e., doctor’s note, etc.) must be provided to the instructor for each missed session at the beginning of the following class session.
Make-up work, including assignments, quizzes, exams, etc., is provided at the discretion of the instructor and must be completed within one week of the missed class period.
Textbook Readings
This course requires you to read the assigned pages from the textbook. Lectures will provide only an overview of the textbook material. You are expected to come to class prepared for that day’s lecture.
Quizzes, Assignments, & Exams
Each of you possess different test taking abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. With this in mind, due diligence has been used in designing all quizzes, assignments, and exams so that they may contain a mixture of multiple choice, matching, short answer recall, essay, and concept application quests. Quizzes are meant to assess your recall and retention of lecture, reading, and lab materials. Throughout the course there will be two pop quizzes given. Assignments will be administered as a follow up for select topics throughout the semester. Exams are designed to assess retention of lecture and reading materials, while also assessing your ability to compare /contrast and apply concepts.
Additional information:
• On quiz and exam days, students must arrive on time and be ready to take the quiz or exam at the start of class. If a student enters the classroom late on a quiz day, he/she may take the quiz as long as at least one student is still in possession of the quiz. If all students have completed and turned in the quiz, he/she may not take the quiz. o Students will not be permitted to enter the classroom and take the exam once the exam has started. • Once an exam or quiz has been administered, a student will not be permitted to leave for any reason until he/she turns the exam in. • If a student’s cell phone disrupts the class during an exam or quiz, the student will receive a zero on that exam. • If a student is found using their cell phone in any way during an exam or quiz, it will be considered to be a case of cheating and the student will receive a zero on the exam as well as the possibility of receiving an F for the course grade. • Late assignments will not be accepted. Lab Lab sessions will meet in the same location as lecture sessions, unless otherwise noted. Students that arrive after the pre-lab lecture has begun will not be permitted to participate in the lab that day and will receive a zero for that lab. Labs will be hands-on and reinforce the concepts and practices discussed during lecture. During each lab exercise you will be required to complete a lab worksheet. These worksheets will be due to the instructor when directed.
Special Project
Soil Identification Project You will be required to complete a soil identification project. This exercise requires you to draw on your overall knowledge of soils —not simply report generic information and basic statistics. Details for this assignment will be provided at a later date by your instructor.
College Policies, Resources and Supports
College Policies
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non-Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu.
Resources
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
Clubs and organizations
Counseling and referral services
Office of disability services
Student complaint policy
Transfer services
Tutoring services, etc.
Copyright & Syllabus Disclaimer
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.
Classroom Guidelines
Turn off all cell phones and all other items that may beep, buzz, or otherwise interrupt the instructor and other students. If you must have your cell phone on for work or a family emergency, set it to vibrate and leave the classroom if you receive a call. • No texting during class. • Failure to follow either of the above rules will result in a warning (first offense), 5 point deduction from your class grade (second offense), and removal from the class period (third and beyond offense). • This is your course! You will gain the most from this course if you actively participate in classroom and lab discussions, and share your experiences and questions. • Learn the names of your classmates, and help one another whenever possible (but not during quizzes and exams). • This is your classroom! Take responsibility for the classroom and lab areas by picking up after yourself.
Audio/video recording of class is not permitted unless pre-approved by the instructor • Laptop usage is not allowed during class, unless otherwise stated by instructor. • iPod usage or headphone devices of any kind are not allowed during class • Arrive promptly before class begins. • No tobacco products may be used on campus. • Know and follow basic safety rules. Report any accidents, injuries, spills, or problems to the instructor immediately. • Do not come to class when you are ill and likely to infect others. • Minor children are not allowed in the classroom or lab areas for safety reasons. • No students will be allowed to work in lab areas outside of class time without instructor permission and appropriate supervision. Student Integrity All students are expected to take quizzes, exams, write papers, and conduct themselves with integrity, common sense, and respect for their fellow students, the instructor, and the academic institution. Students should not jeopardize their own honesty or that of other students. Cheating will not be tolerated. Upon evidence of student cheating, the student will be dropped from the course and receive a grade of F in the course.
Date | Lecture Topic | Required Reading | Quiz |
13 January | Introduction |
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15 January | Rocks to Soil | Pages 1-25 |
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20 January | Rocks to Soil |
| X |
22 January | Particles, Structures, and Water | Pages 26-45 |
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27 January | Particles, Structures, and Water |
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29 January | Lab: Soil Parent Material and Texture |
| X |
3 February | Lab: Soil Structure and Water |
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5 February | Soil surfaces, Acidity and Nutrients | Pages 46-66 | X |
10 February
| Soil Surfaces and Nutrients |
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12 February | Lab: Soil Chemistry |
| X |
17 February | Lab: Soil Testing, Fertility, Nitrogen, and Nitrates |
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19 February | Soil Microbes and Nutrient cycling | Pages 67-89 |
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24 February | Soil Microbes and Nutrient Cycling |
| X |
26 February | Midterm Review |
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3 March | Midterm |
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5 March | Lab: Soil Biology and Organic Matter Project: Unknown Soil Samples | Handout |
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10 March | Spring Break – No class |
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12 March | Spring Break – No class |
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17 March | Soil Survey, Classification, and Evaluation | Pages 90-113 |
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19 March | Soil Survey, Classification, and Evaluation
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| X |
24 March | Lab: Soil SureyReports, Land Descriptions, and Landscapes |
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26 March | Lab: Soil Profile Characteristics |
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31 March | Soils and Ag | Pages 114-150 |
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2 April | Soils and Ag |
| X |
7 April | Soils and Ag | Handouts |
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9 April | Lab: Ag and Hort soils |
| X |
14 April | Soil contamination and Erosion | Pages 151-185 |
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16 April | Soil Contamination and Erosion |
| X |
21 April | Lab: Soil Conservation |
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23 April | Soils for Organic Crop Production | Handouts | X |
28 April | Compost Production and Use | Handouts |
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30 April | Lab: Compost Testing |
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5 May | Lab: Unknown Identification |
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7 May | Project: Unknown Soil Sample Due |
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12 May | Final Exam |
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College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.