GEOL 4630.001 – SOILS GEOMORPHOLOGY
Spring 2013 - MW 2:00-4:50 PM, ENV. 241
Instructor
Dr. Reid Ferring
Office: 242 ENV
Office Hours: M-Tu 11:00-12:30 PM (or appointment)
Text: Soils: Genesis and Classification, 5th ed. (Buol, et al. 2003).
Course objectives
- To acquire knowledge and understanding of 1) The nature and properties of soils, 2) the processes which govern the formation of soils, 3) the classification and distribution of soils, 4) the methods of soils analysis, and 5) the significance of soils to other disciplines, including environmental science, Quaternary geology, geomorphology and archaeology.
Grading
This course carries four semester hours credit. You will receive one grade for this course, according to the following distribution:
Item Percent of course grade
Exam I 25%
Exam II 25%
Exam III (final) 25%
Labs 25%
Your lab grade will be based on your average grade for all labs (100 points each).
Notes: 1) The Department of Geography does not allow any extra credit assignments
2) A grade of incomplete will be assigned only in the event of unavoidable, adverse circumstances
Disability Accommodations
The Department of Geography, in cooperation withy the Office of Disability Accommodation, complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act in making reasonable accommodations for students with qualified disabilities. Please present your written accommodation request before the 12th class day (January 30, 2011).
Classroom Environment
Students are expected to respect the teaching environment, especially as it relates to those around them. Behaviors that disrupt the class will not be tolerated. Use of cell phones during the class, including text messaging, is strictly prohibited, and cell phones must be turned off and out-of-sight. Disruptive activities may result in the student being listed as absent for that class.
Attendance
Attendance to labs and lectures is required. Labs will include both on-campus exercises and short trips in university vans to local soils exposures. The schedule of labs and lectures may have to be adjusted, according to weather conditions.
Academic Dishonesty
Students who cheat or plagiarize on any exam or lab (see UNT Undergraduate Catalog for definitions), will be given a grade of F for the course, and will be referred to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities for possible further penalty.
SOILS GEOMORPHOLOGY (GEOL 4630.001) Spring 2013
MW 2:00-4:50 241 ENV
Course Outline
DATE TOPICS TEXT READINGS
January
14 Introduction 1
16 Soil Morphology 2
21 NO CLASS MLK DAY
23 Lab 1: soil color, texture
28 Soil Composition, Profiles, Horizons 2
30 Lab 2: FIELD sandy soil profile
February
4 Weathering and soil forming processes 3
6 Lab 3: Soil Horizons and Subhorizons
11 Parent Materials and Topography 3
13 Lab 4: FIELD Denton County Parent materials
18 Lab 5: Soil Parent Materials and Catenas
20 EXAM I
25 Soil Ecosystems: Climate and Organisms 4
27 Lab 6: Soil Organic Matter
March
4 Soils in Space and Time 5
6 Lab 7: Climate and Texas Soils
11-13 SPRING BREAK
18 Soil Taxonomy 6,7
20 Lab 8: Denton Co. Soils
25 Alfisols and Mollisols 8,15
27 Lab 9: FIELD Mollisol Profile
April
1 Aridsols and Vertisols 10,19
3
8 Late Quaternary Soils lecture
10 Lab 10: FIELD Alfisol Profile
15 EXAM II
17 No Lab
22 Soil Management lecture
24 Lab 11: FIELD: Elm Fork Trinity Soils
29 Soils Mapping and Landscape Analysis 20,21
May
1 No Lab
10 Last (FINAL) Exam 1:30-3:30 PM