Day

Date

Lec.
#

Lecture Topic

S&M textbook*
reading assignments

Lab (Tues, Wed. and Thur.)

1

M

8/24

1

Introduction to Course
What is soil?

Chapter 1
all sections

1

W

8/26

2

Overview of Soil Properties and Ecosystem Functions

Introduction to lab and
Soil monoliths

2

M

8/31

3

Soil Formation and Weathering Processes

Chapter 12
all sections

2

W

9/2

4

Soil Classification and Taxonomy

Chapter 14

Soils and Geology
FIELD TRIP – BUS TRIP

3

M

9/7

Labor Day – No Classes

3

W

9/9

5

Soil Physical Properties

Chapters 2 and 3
2.1, 2.2, 2.5, 2.6, 3.2

Soil texture, particle density, bulk density, soil color

4

M

9/14

6

Properties of Soil Air and Water

Chapters 3 and 5
3.1 – 3.4, 5.1

4

W

9/16

7

Water Movement in Soil

Chapter 5
5.2 – 5.6

Soil Water

5

M

9/21

8

Soil and the Hydrologic Cycle

Chapter 6
all sections

5

W

9/23

9

Soil Climate (Aeration,  Temperature, Heat flux)

Chapter 4
all sections

Soils in the Landscape
FIELD TRIP – BUS TRIP

6

M

9/28

10

Soil Climate (cont.)
Exam review

6

T

9/29

Midterm Exam 1. Covers material from lectures 1 – 9 (7:00 PM or 8:00 PM)

6

W

9/30

11

Soil Survey, Web Soil Survey, Soil Mapping

Chapter 13
http//websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/

Field Description of Soil Profiles
FIELD TRIP – BUS

7

M

10/5

12

Properties of Soil Clays

Chapter 2
2.3, 2.4, Suppl. 2-3, 2-4

7

W

10/7

13

Ion Adsorption and Exchange

Chapter 3: 3.4

Land Use Project – meet in Computer Lab

8

M

10/12

14

Soil pH and Acidity

Chapter 11
11.1

8

W

10/14

15

Soil Alkalinity and Salinity

Chapter 11
11.2

Soil Chemistry: CEC, soil pH, liming requirement

9

M

10/19

16

Soil Ecology 1
Soil communities, macro-organisms

Chapter 7
7.1, 7.2

9

W

10/21

17

Soil Ecology 2
microorganisms and interactions

Chapter 7
7.3 – 7.5

Soil Ecology

10

M

10/26

18

Reclaiming PA’s mined lands
Exam review

10

T

10/27

Midterm Exam 2. Covers material from lectures 11 – 17 (7:00 PM or 8:00 PM)

10

W

10/28

19

Microbial processes

Chapter 8
8.1 – 8.4

Soil Organic Matter

11

M

11/2

20

Plant nutrients
Behavior of N and S in soil

Chapter 9
9.1, 9.2, 9.5
Chapter 10
10.3.2

11

W

11/4

21

Behavior of P and K in soil

Soil Fertility

12

M

11/9

22

Nutrient Management and Plant Nutrition

Chapter 10
10.1 – 10.3

12

W

11/11

23

Soil Sampling, Testing, Interpretation

Land Use Project – meet in Computer Lab

13

M

11/16

24

Exam Review

13

T

11/17

Midterm Exam 3. Covers material from lectures 19 – 23 (7:00 PM or 8:00 PM)

13

W

11/18

25

Soil Erosion 1: Water Erosion, USLE

Chapter 15
15.1.1

Land Use Project – independent work

11/23 – 11/27

Thanksgiving Break Week – Wahoo!

14

M

11/30

26

Soil Erosion 2: Erosion control, wind erosion

Chapter 15
15.1.2, 15.4

14

W

12/2

27

Soil Degradation and Remediation 1

Chapter 15
15.3

Soil Forensics
Land Use Project due

15

M

12/7

28

Soil Pollution and Remediation 2

15

W

12/9

29

Human impacts on soil quality and sustainability
Exam Review

No lab, Final Exam prep time

16

Final Exam comprehensive