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SLM503Agricultural Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Soil Physics

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of soil physical properties and processes. It explores soil texture, structure, water retention, and flow, emphasizing their influence on soil health and management practices. The course covers water dynamics in saturated and unsaturated soils, the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum, and drainage techniques. Students will learn to analyze soil variability and apply soil physics principles for sustainable crop production and water management.

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156h
Study Time
13
Weeks
12h
Per Week
intermediate
Math Level
Course Keywords
Soil PhysicsSoil WaterSoil TextureSoil StructureHydraulic Conductivity

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📊
Math Level
Moderate Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Soil Texture and Structure

2

Spatial Variability of Soil Properties

3

Soil Water Content and Measurement

4

Saturated and Unsaturated Water Flow

5

Soil Moisture Retention

6

Hydrologic Cycle

7

Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum

8

Soil Drainage

Total Topics8 topics

Requirements

Knowledge and skills recommended for success

Basic knowledge of soil science and hydrology

💡 Don't have all requirements? Don't worry! Many students successfully complete this course with basic preparation and dedication.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (2 methods)

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Soil Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Agronomist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Irrigation Engineer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Water Resource Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

AgricultureEnvironmental ManagementCivil EngineeringWater ResourcesLand Management

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Soil Physical Properties

4h

Unit 1: Soil Physical Properties

4 study hours
  • •Define soil texture, structure, and specific surface area.
  • •Describe the different soil textural classes using the textural triangle.
  • •Calculate the specific surface area of soil particles.
Week
2

Module 1: Soil Physical Properties

3h

Unit 2: Spatial variability of soil properties

3 study hours
  • •Explain the concept of spatial variability of soil properties.
  • •Discuss the factors influencing soil variability at different scales.
  • •Analyze the impact of soil management practices on soil variability.
Week
3

Module 2: Soil water

4h

Unit 1: Soil water

4 study hours
  • •Define soil water and its properties.
  • •Describe the different ways of expressing soil water content.
  • •Calculate soil water content on a mass and volume basis.
Week
4

Module 2: Soil water

4h

Unit 2: Flow of water in saturated and unsaturated soils and Darcy's laws

4 study hours
  • •Explain the flow of water in saturated and unsaturated soils.
  • •State and apply Darcy’s Law.
  • •Calculate hydraulic conductivity.
Week
5

Module 2: Soil water

3h

Unit 3: Flow of water in heterogeneous layered medium

3 study hours
  • •Describe the flow of water in a homogeneous soil column.
  • •Explain the flow of water in a heterogeneous layered medium.
  • •Compare water flow in homogeneous and heterogeneous soils.
Week
6

Module 2: Soil water

3h

Unit 4: Diffusivity

3 study hours
  • •Define diffusivity and its importance.
  • •Discuss the factors affecting diffusivity.
  • •Apply Fick’s Law to calculate diffusion rates.
Week
7

Module 2: Soil water

4h

Unit 5: Soil moisture retention characteristics

4 study hours
  • •Explain the relationship between soil moisture retention and soil suction.
  • •Describe the soil moisture retention curve.
  • •Analyze the factors affecting the soil moisture characteristic curve.
Week
8

Module 2: Soil water

3h

Unit 6: Hysteresis

3 study hours
  • •Discuss the phenomenon of hysteresis.
  • •Explain the reasons for hysteresis.
  • •Analyze the importance of hysteresis in soil-plant-water relations.
Week
9

Module 3: Field water cycle

4h

Unit 1: Field water cycle

4 study hours
  • •Describe the hydrologic cycle and its components.
  • •State the water balance equation.
  • •Apply the water balance equation to a watershed.
Week
10

Module 3: Field water cycle

4h

Unit 2: Soil plant atmosphere continuum

4 study hours
  • •Explain the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC).
  • •Identify the points of resistance to water flow in the SPAC system.
  • •Differentiate between evapotranspiration (ET) and potential evapotranspiration (PET).
Week
11

Module 3: Field water cycle

4h

Unit 3: Drainage and Ground water drainage

4 study hours
  • •Define drainage and its importance.
  • •Describe surface and subsurface drainage systems.
  • •Discuss the benefits and detrimental effects of artificial drainage.
Week
12

Module 1: Soil Physical Properties

4h

Module 1 Review

4 study hours
  • •Review all units from Module 1.
  • •Practice problems related to soil physical properties and spatial variability.
Week
13

Module 2: Soil water

4h

Modules 2 & 3 Review

4 study hours
  • •Review all units from Modules 2 and 3.
  • •Focus on key concepts related to soil water, flow, and the hydrologic cycle.
  • •Prepare for final examination.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review definitions of soil texture, structure, and their impact on water movement (Units 1-2, Module 1).

2

Practice calculations using Darcy's Law for saturated and unsaturated flow (Unit 2, Module 2).

3

Create diagrams illustrating the soil moisture retention curve and hysteresis (Units 5-6, Module 2).

4

Study the components of the hydrologic cycle and the water balance equation (Unit 1, Module 3).

5

Understand the key principles of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC) and evapotranspiration (Unit 2, Module 3).

6

Compare and contrast surface and subsurface drainage methods, including their benefits and drawbacks (Unit 3, Module 3).

7

Solve all examples in the units and TMAs.

8

Focus on understanding the relationships between soil properties and water movement.

9

Review all key terms and definitions related to soil physics and hydrology.

10

Create concept maps linking soil properties, water flow, and plant water relations.

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