Advanced Soil Science

1. Explain the composition and structure of silicate minerals in soil.
2. Describe the processes and factors involved in soil formation.
3. Assess soil texture and structure and their impact on soil properties.
4. Analyze soil water relationships and evapotranspiration.
5. Evaluate the role of soil microorganisms in nutrient cycling and plant health.
6. Apply appropriate tillage practices for sustainable soil management.
7. Understand the factors affecting plant growth and development.
8. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of shifting cultivation.

13 weeks, about 73 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1:

   • Unit 1: Silicate Chemistry · 3 hours

     Study silicate structures, focusing on tetrahedral arrangements and charge neutralization.. Review examples like Olivine and Zircon..

   • Unit 2: Soil Forming Rocks · 2 hours

     Identify igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.. Examine the role of weathering in transforming rocks into soil particles..

2. Week 2Module 1:

   • Unit 3: Mineral Composition of Soil · 4 hours

     Analyze the size range of soil particles and their impact on soil properties.. Study the mineralogy of sand, silt, and clay fractions..

   • Unit 1: Processes and Factors of Soil Formation · 3 hours

     Study the four major soil formation processes: addition, removal, translocation, and transformation.. Examine the influence of parent material, topography, climate, and biological activity..

3. Week 3Module 2:

   • Unit 2: Physical State of Soils · 5 hours

     Differentiate between soil texture, structure, and porosity.. Examine how soil particles are arranged and their effect on soil properties..

4. Week 4Module 3:

   • Unit 1: Soil Water Relationship · 4 hours

     Study the relationship between soil texture and water-holding capacity.. Examine the concepts of saturation, field capacity, and wilting point..

5. Week 5Module 3:

   • Unit 2: Evapo-Transpiration · 4 hours

     Study the factors affecting evapotranspiration.. Examine methods for determining evapotranspiration rates..

6. Week 6Module 4:

   • Unit 1: Tillage and Soil Properties · 5 hours

     Study the effects of tillage on soil properties.. Examine different types of tillage practices..

7. Week 7Module 4:

   • Unit 2: Factors and Processes Affecting Plant Growth · 5 hours

     Study the factors affecting plant growth: light, temperature, water, and nutrients.. Examine the role of plant hormones and genetic factors..

8. Week 8Module 4:

   • Unit 3: Soil Micro-Organisms · 5 hours

     Study the different types of soil microorganisms.. Examine the activities of soil organisms, including nitrogen fixation and organic matter decomposition..

9. Week 9Module 4:

   • Unit 4: Shifting Cultivation and the Fallow System · 5 hours

     Study the practice of shifting cultivation.. Examine the advantages and disadvantages of shifting cultivation..

10. Week 10Module 1:

    • Unit 1: Silicate Chemistry · 4 hours

      Review all units in Module 1.. Focus on silicate chemistry, soil forming rocks and minerals, and soil composition..

    • Unit 2: Soil Forming Rocks and Minerals · 3 hours

      Review all units in Module 1.. Focus on processes and factors of soil formation..

11. Week 11Module 2:

    • Unit 1: Texture Physical State of Soils · 7 hours

      Review all units in Module 2.. Focus on texture, structure, porosity, and density..

12. Week 12Module 3:

    • Unit 1: Soil Water Relationships · 7 hours

      Review all units in Module 3.. Focus on soil water relationships and evapotranspiration..

13. Week 13Module 4:

    • Unit 1: Tillage and Soil Properties · 7 hours

      Review all units in Module 4.. Focus on tillage, plant growth factors, soil microorganisms, and shifting cultivation..