Catalog Course Search Details

 Department:    ENVAG

 Course #:    106

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    6

 CIP:    010308

 EPC:    127

 REV:    2018

 Course Description  

Study of soils as living ecosystems, including their physical, chemical, and biological properties. Nutrient cycling, fertility management, soil building, and site diagnosis and classification are also examined. Field trips are an integral part of this course.

 Prerequisite  

None

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 33

Lab: 44

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0

Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Required for certificate  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

1. Describe soil physical, chemical, and biological properties and processes to assess soil quality while using appropriate tools, techniques, and technologies.
2. Classify and describe soils common to the Pacific Northwest based on geology, topography, climate, organisms, and the influence of time on their formation.
3. Describe the function and significance of biotic activity on soil development, fertility, and ecosystem conservation.
4. Evaluate the impact of land use management practices on soil quality and quantity, and recommend plans for restoring and enhancing the productivity of degraded urban, agricultural, wetland, and forest soils.
5. Analyze relationships between soil health, plant vigor, agricultural productivity, human nutrition, and the stability of human societies.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and facts related to a specific discipline.

9. Scientific Literacy

Definition: Understanding scientific principles, and analyzing and applying scientific information in a variety of contexts.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
9.1 Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental scientific concepts.

Course Contents

1. Physical, chemical, and biological properties and processes to assess soil quality while using appropriate tools, techniques, and technologies.
2. Soils common to the Pacific Northwest based on geology, topography, climate, organisms, and the influence of time on their formation.
3. Function and significance of biotic activity on soil development, fertility, and ecosystem conservation.
4. Impact of land use management practices on soil quality and quantity, and recommend plans for restoring and enhancing the productivity of degraded urban, agricultural, wetland, and forest soils.
5. Relationships between soil health, plant vigor, agricultural productivity, human nutrition, and the stability of human societies.