1:00 pm - 2:40 pm
This course will provide 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
General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:
- Communication
AGHT 1254 Basic Soils was designed to meet specific student needs either individually or within a program. Transfer ability 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
Kristen North
knorth@kcc.edu
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the basic and applied chemical, physical and biological concepts in soils.
- Explain the foundation and derivation of soils as it applies to plant production.
- Explain the procedure and methods used in the testing and analysis of soil properties related to plant production.
- Explain the textural, structural, and chemical analysis of soils.
- Explain soil management and conservation principles.
Soil Science Simplified, 6th ED
Rahmani, Franzmeier, McFee, & Graveel
Waveland Press, Inc
Students will be evaluated by the following criteria:
Formative Assessments – these are not graded but provide me with an understanding of how each student is comprehending topics. These will include quizzes and some work activities.
Summative Assessments – these are graded. Includes labs, projects, project presentations, and some work activities. Rubrics will be provided for Summative Assessments.
A final exam will be given on the designated date. Please refer to the course schedule for exact date and time. The final exam will incorporate topics we have covered, information from the labs, research, projects, and in class activities.
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
Course Policies
Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to have completed the readings required and reviewed the lecture presentation prior to class.
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. It is YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed and need to complete.
Textbook Readings and Presentations
You are expected to come to class prepared for that day’s lecture topic. This course requires you to read the assigned pages from the textbook and review a posted presentation on the readings. A formative quiz will be given at the start of each class. A short review will be presented during class, but the majority of the class will be devoted to discussion and activities related to the topics.
Special Projects
During the semester you will be a assigned special project. This project will be a part of your final exam grade. The project will require you to conduct research and labs on an unknown soil. Information will be provided in class.
Quizzes, Assignments, & Exams
Quizzes will be formative assessments only. Quizzes will be given at the start of the class and cover the assigned chapters and presentations. These are designed to help both the instructor and the student to see how well they understand the material and if additional instruction is needed to improve understanding prior to engaging in classroom activities.
Assignments, mostly in the form of in-class activities, will be administered as a follow up for topics throughout the semester. To prepare for the classroom activities, please make sure you have read the assigned chapters and reviewed the presentation for the chapter. Assignments will be graded.
The final exam is designed to assess retention of lecture topics, reading materials, and classroom activities. The final exam is intended to provide opportunities for the student to apply concepts covered during the semester into real-world activities or situations.
For the Final Exam, students must arrive on time and be prepared.
- If a student’s cell phone disrupts the class during an exam, the student will receive a zero on that exam. Please make sure to silence your phone pror to the final 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.
Assignments will be given a specific due date. In the event you encounter an issue completing the assignment, please notify the instructor immediately and explain why. Most assignments will be due by the end of the class period or by the start of the next class. Late assignments will be accepted but will receive a 2% deduction for each class period late.
If you are absent for a class, it is your responsibility to discover what you missed.
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. Due dates will vary depending on the lab and length of time needed to be able to observe results.
Lab days are MANDATORY attendance days.
Students must complete the KCC Agri-Hort Technology Lab Safety Form before completing a lab.
Classroom Guidelines
- Cell phone usage: You will need to use your cell phone (or other electronic device) during class for some of the activities. With this in mind, there are a few guidelines for using your electronic device during class.
- 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).
- 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. Please contact the instructor as soon as you know you are not well enough to attend. If possible, on classroom days, use the ZOOM option for attending. Lab days you will need to discuss how to make it up with the instructor.
- Minor children are not allowed in the classroom or lab areas for safety reasons.
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.
Students must obtain permission from the instructor before using AI composition software (like ChatGPT) for any assignments in this course. Using these tools without the instructor’s permission puts your academic integrity at risk.
Copyright
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 www.kcc.edu/copyright.
College Policies
Withdrawals
When it is necessary to withdraw from a course or from the college, a student may do so on or before the withdrawal date stated on the syllabus without receiving a punitive final grade. Change of Schedule forms (used to add or drop a course) are available in Student Services and the student should obtain the required signatures prior to submitting the Change of Schedule form to an adviser in Student Services. Students may submit Change of Schedule forms through the mail, but they must be postmarked no later than the withdrawal date. No withdrawals are allowed by phone. To determine the last date to withdraw with a grade of “W” in this course, log onto KCConnect and click on “my registration statement” under Academic Profile.
Code of Conduct
Students need to adhere to the Code of Conduct located in the college catalog.
College Resources
Tutoring Services
Tutoring assistance is free to all currently enrolled KCC students. Our tutor program is certified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA). For schedules, resources, and other helpful information, go to www.library.kcc.edu/tutoring.
Office of Disability Services – KCC offers advisement and special instructional support for students who are physically and learning disabled, as well as those with academic deficiencies. Students will receive appropriate academic instructional support, including preparatory courses, tutorial assistance, study skills assistance, and self-instructional programs. For disability services, go to room L326, Tel: 815-802-8632.
Miner Memorial Library
The Miner Memorial Library provides a variety of services free to students. For the services they offer, their hours of operation and other helpful information, go to www.library.kcc.edu.
This lecture and lab schedule is subject to change. You will be notified of changes by the instructor. Reading assignments are expected to be completed prior to that day’s lecture.
Date | Lecture Topic | Reading Assignment |
August 17 | Introduction |
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August 19 | Nature & Function of Soil Soil Mineralogy & Chemistry | Pages 1 – 24 & 69-79 |
August 24 | Soil Minerology & Chemistry Soil Documentary “Everglades of the North” |
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August 26 | Lab 1: Soil Parent Materials & Texture |
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August 31 | Lab 1 continued Soil Physical Properties | Pages 26-36 |
September 2 | Lab 2: Soil Structure & Water |
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September 7 | NO SCHOOL LABOR DAY |
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September 9 | Soil Surfaces, Acidity, and Nutrients |
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September 14 | Soil Surfaces, Acidity, and Nutrients |
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September 16 | Lab 3: Soil Chemistry |
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September 21 | Lab 4: Soil Testing, Fertility, Nitrogen, & Nitrates |
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September 23 | Soil Microbes & Nutrient Cycling |
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September 28 | Soil Health |
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September 30 | Lab 5: Soil Biology & Organic Matter |
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October 5 | Soil Documentary “Living Soil” |
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October 7 | Soil Survey, Classification, & Evaluation Project: Unknown Soil Sample Assigned |
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October 12 | Soil Survey, Classification, & Evaluation Soil Documentary “Kiss the Ground” |
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October 14 | Lab 6: Soil Survey Report |
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October 19 | Lab 7: Soil Profile Characteristics |
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October 21 | Soils & Agriculture |
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October 26 | Soils & Agriculture |
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October 28 | Soils & Horticulture |
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November 2 | Lab 8: Comparing Ag & Hort Soils |
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November 4 | Soil Contamination & Erosion |
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November 9 | Lab 9: Soil Conservation |
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November 11 | NO SCHOOL VETERANS DAY |
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November 16 | Open Lab |
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November 18 | Soils for Organic Crop Production |
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November 23 | Compost Production & Use |
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November 25 | Lab 10: Compost Evaluation |
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November 30 | Field Trip |
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December 2 | Unknown Soil Project Due/Final Review | |
December 9 | Final Exam at 12:00- 1:50 pm |
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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.