SS-SOIL SCIENCE -- 1999-2000 Catalog
Soil Science Department

Understanding the depth and breadth of soils as a science. Examine potential career opportunities. Introduction to both student and professional organizations. Credit/No Credit grading only. 1 activity.

Biological, chemical, physical and genetic soil properties. Interpretation of soils information for agricultural management and production. Proper land use and conservation, soil and water management. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Individual investigation, research, studies, or surveys of selected problems. Total credit limited to 4 units, with a maximum of 2 units per quarter. Prerequisite: Consent of department head.

Climate, topography, soils and land use in relation to soil and water losses. Evaluation of soil and water conservation programs and practices. Miscellaneous course fee required-see Class Schedule. 3 lectures. Prerequisite: SS 121 or consent of instructor.

Plant nutrient requirements. Composition, value, and use of fertilizer materials, conditioners and agricultural minerals. Methods of manufacturing, distributing, and applying fertilizers. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: SS 121.

Origin, composition, identification and weathering of rocks, minerals, and clays important in the development of soils. Parent materials as related to the nature and properties of soils. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: SS 121, CHEM 111 or CHEM 128.

Soil, water, and plant testing for fertilizer recommendations and general diagnostic work. Project participation is voluntary and subject to approval by the enterprise project adviser and the Cal Poly Foundation. Degree credit limited to 12 units. Credit/No Credit grading only. Prerequisite: CHEM 127, SS 221.

Supervised practice in technical, educational, professional, and operational applications related to soil science. Students participate in faculty-supervised group or individual activities that support educational and professional goals. Credit/No Credit grading only. 2 activities. Prerequisite: SS 110 or SS 121.

Management and manipulation of soils in urban environments. Measurement and interpretation of morphological, physical and chemical properties. Selection and treatment of soil materials for interior and exterior plantings. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: SS 121.

Identification of soil morphological and site properties. Correlation of soil physical and chemical properties with soil taxonomy and land use. Techniques of interpretations for agriculture, forest lands, range lands and urban development. Miscellaneous course fee required-see Class Schedule. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: SS 121.

Investigation and evaluation of the nutrient supplying ability of soils. Conditions and transformations involved in the transfer of mineral nutrients from soils to plants. Effects of cultural treatments on soil fertility. Diagnostic techniques and data interpretation in soil and plant analysis. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: SS 221, CHEM 111 or CHEM 128.

Recognizing and identifying major landforms and their components by interpretation of aerial photographs and topographic maps, and observations. Emphasis on analyzing common landforms in the western United States for application in soil science, physical geography, hydrology, and geology. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory, 1 activity. Prerequisite: SS 223, SS 321 and GEOL 201; or consent of instructor.

Selected students will spend up to 12 weeks with an approved firm or agency engaged in work and study related to their major. A detailed written proposal and written interim and final reports required. One unit of credit may be allowed for each full week of internship. Credit/No Credit grading. Prerequisite: Consent of internship instructor.

Calculate, graph, and interpret physical, chemical, and microbiological data from soils and reports. Apply laboratory results to field conditions. Debate efficacy of soil management and environmental practices considering social, economic and political implications of soil science. 2 lectures, 2 activities. Prerequisite: SS 121, CHEM 129, MATH 119 or MATH 141, PHYS 121 or PHYS 131, or consent of instructor.

Computer software applications for soil science and agriculture including word processing, data storage and manipulation, statistical analysis of data, graphics preparation and presentations. 1 lecture, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: AG 250 or CSC 110 or consent of instructor.

Individual investigation, research, studies or surveys of selected problems. Total credit limited to 4 units, with a maximum of 2 units per quarter. Prerequisite: Consent of department head.

Biochemical activities, ecology and environmental implications of soil organisms. Effects on the formation, characteristics, and productivity of soils. Methods of studying soil organisms. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: SS 221 and SS 345, BACT 221, CHEM 313 , or consent of instructor.

Chemical processes governing weathering, soil mineral formation and stability, common solubility equilibria. Use of chemical principles to explain surface chemical properties of soils and environmental problems in water and soil chemical systems. Preparation of professional quality reports based on laboratory data and library research. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory, 1 activity. Prerequisite: SS 223, SS 345, CHEM 129, CHEM 212, or CHEM 216, MATH 118 or MATH 141.

Development and production of soil surveys for interpretive purposes. Use of soil taxonomy and land classification systems to evaluate land for best management practices. 2 lectures, 2 laboratories. Prerequisite: SS 223; SS 321.

Matter and energy in soils, with emphasis on properties and behavior of solids, water, air, and heat. Applications to agriculture, forestry, range management, engineering, and environmental sciences. Preparation of professional reports based on laboratory data and library research. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory, 1 activity. Prerequisite: SS 121, SS 345, PHYS 121 or PHYS 131, CHEM 129, MATH 118 or MATH 141, or consent of instructor.

Development of plans and practices for management of agricultural, recreational and urban land use by evaluating the soil capabilities through the use of Soil Survey Reports. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: SS 121.

Ecosystem approach to the chemical, biological, physical and mechanical properties of forest and range soils. Interpretation of specific research findings and their applications to management problems. Preparation of soil management reports similar to those required by various land management organizations. Overnight field trips. Miscellaneous course fee required-see Class Schedule. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: SS 121.

Redox transformations and removal or immobilization of inorganic pollutants. Microbial degradation and elimination of organic contaminants. Monitoring and predicting management strategies for vadose zone enhancement. Reclamation of disturbed lands. 3 lectures, 1 activity. Prerequisite: CHEM 326, GEOL 201, SS 121 or consent of instructor.

Morphological description of soils in the field. Taxonomic determination of classifications and interpretive properties from soil descriptions. Participation in collegiate soil judging contests. Total credit limited to 12 units. 1 lecture, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: SS 321 or consent of instructor.

Nature and properties of soils occurring in the tropics, their origin, morphology, classification, fertility, management and conservation. Examine social implications in international agriculture. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: SS 121, CHEM 111 or CHEM 128.

Senior project topic selection and contract development with project adviser. Statement of problems, subproblems, assumptions, objectives, hypothesis, methods of analysis and statistical design. Development of literature review and budget of time and finances. Proper format and presentation of tabular and graphic information. 1 activity. Prerequisite: MATH 118 or MATH 131, STAT 211 or STAT 321 or CRSC 411.

Implementation of materials and methods. Collection, analysis and interpretation of data. Completion of formal written report under adviser supervision. Minimum 90 hours. Prerequisite: SS 461.

Review of current research, experiments, and problems related to the student's major field of interest. Preparation and presentation of reports on problems or research activities. 2 seminars.

Directed group study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 6 units. 1 to 3 lectures. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Directed group laboratory study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 6 units. 1 to 3 laboratories. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Advanced independent study planned and completed under the direction of a member of the Soil Science faculty. Total credit limited to 6 units. Prerequisite: Consent of department head, graduate adviser and supervising faculty member.

Problem solving and research planning for agriculture, natural resources and related sciences. Preparation of study plans which identify problems, review appropriate literature, formulate objectives, develop methods and provide for presentation and interpretation of results. 3 lectures. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Techniques for the development of soil erosion control and the dispersal of surface runoff water on urban, industrial, recreational and dwelling sites. Land grading ordinances and their limitations. Miscellaneous course fee required-see Class Schedule. 3 lectures. Prerequisite: Introductory soils course and graduate standing, or consent of instructor.

Current research frontiers in soil fertility. Evaluating soil testing philosophy, theories and interpretation. Optimizing soil conditions for maximizing crop production. Conse-quences of environmental pollution, trace elements and organic amendments. Chemical reactions including solubility and chelate equilibria, adsorption phenomena, nutrient mobility, soil mineralogy and weathering. Use of foliar fertilization. Radioisotopes in soil fertility. 3 lectures. Pre-requisite: SS 322, graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Current research, experiments and problems related to soil science. Total credit limited to 3 units. 3 seminars. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Development of plans and practices for the management of crop, range, and wood land. 2 seminars, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, SS 433.

Individual research in soil science under faculty supervision, leading to a scholarly written presentation exhibiting originality, clarity, critical and independent thinking, proper analysis of data, appropriate organization and format, and accurate and thorough documentation. Six units required for the M.S. degree. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.