Introduction To Pedology And Soil Classification
- Agricultural Sciences
- 300 level
- 2 credit units
- 81 pages
- 14 units
This course introduces the fundamental principles of soil pedology and classification. It explores soil origin, formation, morphological characteristics, and components. The course also covers soil-forming rocks and minerals, weathering processes, profile description, soil survey, and mapping techniques. Furthermore, it examines the properties and management of Nigerian soils, providing a comprehensive understanding of soil science and its practical applications.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 156 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Basic knowledge of biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and geology.
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of SOS301, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
SOS301 · UNIT 2: SOIL FORMATION
4.0 CONCLUSION Soil is the combination of rock, mineral fragments (pieces) made by weathering (wind, rain, sun, snow, etc.), and organic matter (living things), water, and air.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the origin and formation of soil.
- Describe the morphological characteristics and components of soil.
- Identify soil-forming rocks and minerals and weathering processes.
- Apply soil survey and mapping techniques.
- Classify different types of soils.
- Analyze the properties and management of Nigerian soils.
What it prepares you for
- Soil Scientist
- Agricultural Consultant
- Environmental Planner
- Land Surveyor
- Agronomist
- Agriculture
- Environmental Management
- Land Development
- Construction
- Natural Resource Management
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Soil- Forming Rocks and Minerals and Weathering of Rocks and Minerals
Unit 2: Weathering of Rocks and Minerals
Understanding the complex chemical reactions involved in mineral weathering requires a strong foundation in chemistry.
- Module 3: Properties and Management of Nigerian Soils
Unit 4: Classification of Nigerian Soils
Classifying Nigerian soils requires an understanding of the complex interplay of environmental factors and soil properties specific to the region.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 60 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Soil Origin, Formation, Morphological Characteristics and Components
Unit 1: Origin of Soil · 3 hours
Read Unit 1: Understand the definition of soil and its importance.. Identify the different factors contributing to soil formation.. Explain the weathering processes..
Unit 2: Soil Formation · 3 hours
Read Unit 2: Describe the processes involved in soil formation.. Explain the influence of climate, biota, and topography on soil development.. Differentiate between various soil types..
- Week 2Module 1: Soil Origin, Formation, Morphological Characteristics and Components
Unit 3: Soil Morphology · 3 hours
Read Unit 3: Describe soil morphology and its observable attributes.. Explain the significance of micromorphology, porosity, and soil texture.. Relate soil morphology to soil classification..
Unit 4: Soil Characteristics · 3 hours
Read Unit 4: Identify the key characteristics of soil.. Explain the composition of soil and the role of its components.. Understand the influence of parent materials on soil properties..
- Week 3Module 1: Soil Origin, Formation, Morphological Characteristics and Components
Unit 5: Soil Components · 4 hours
Read Unit 5: Identify the four major components of soil.. Explain the types of primary and secondary minerals.. Understand the importance of soil texture and weathering..
- Week 4Module 2: Soil- Forming Rocks and Minerals and Weathering of Rocks and Minerals
Unit 1: Soil- Forming Rocks · 3 hours
Read Unit 1: Describe the formation of soil from rocks and minerals.. Explain the five soil-forming factors.. Understand the role of parent materials in soil formation..
Unit 2: Weathering of Rocks and Minerals · 3 hours
Read Unit 2: Explain the processes of physical and chemical weathering.. Describe the effects of temperature, water, and organisms on rock weathering.. Understand the formation of saprolite..
- Week 5Module 2: Soil- Forming Rocks and Minerals and Weathering of Rocks and Minerals
Unit 3: Profile Description and Soil Survey · 4 hours
Read Unit 3: Describe the soil profile and its horizons.. Explain the process of soil survey and its components.. Understand the importance of soil surveys in land use planning..
- Week 6Module 2: Soil- Forming Rocks and Minerals and Weathering of Rocks and Minerals
Unit 4: Soil Mapping · 4 hours
Read Unit 4: Explain the process of soil mapping.. Understand the components of a soil survey.. Describe the importance of soil mapping in sustainable development..
- Week 7Module 2: Soil- Forming Rocks and Minerals and Weathering of Rocks and Minerals
Unit 5: Soil Classification · 4 hours
Read Unit 5: Describe the principles of soil classification.. Explain the different categories in soil classification.. Understand the criteria used in soil classification systems..
- Week 8Module 3: Properties and Management of Nigerian Soils
Unit 1: Nigerian Soils · 4 hours
Read Unit 1: Describe the climate, land use, and vegetation of Nigeria.. Explain the major soil groups in Nigeria.. Understand the factors contributing to soil erosion..
- Week 9Module 3: Properties and Management of Nigerian Soils
Unit 2: Properties of Nigerian Soils · 4 hours
Read Unit 2: Identify the physical and chemical properties of Nigerian soils.. Explain the components of Nigerian soils.. Understand the factors affecting soil fertility..
- Week 10Module 3: Properties and Management of Nigerian Soils
Unit 3: Profile Description of Nigerian Soils · 4 hours
Read Unit 3: Describe the major ecological regions of Nigeria.. Explain the soil profile characteristics in different regions.. Understand the factors influencing soil formation in Nigeria..
- Week 11Module 3: Properties and Management of Nigerian Soils
Unit 4: Classification of Nigerian Soils · 4 hours
Read Unit 4: Describe the systems used to classify Nigerian soils.. Explain the hierarchy of categories in the Soil Taxonomy classification.. Understand the classification of Nigerian soils as a material and a resource..
- Week 12Module 3: Properties and Management of Nigerian Soils
Unit 5: Management of Nigerian Soils · 4 hours
Read Unit 5: Analyze soil management methods in Nigeria.. Explain the maintenance of soil fertility through crop rotation and green manuring.. Understand the role of farmyard manure and composting in soil management..
- Week 13Final Revision
Final Revision · 6 hours
Review all units and modules.. Complete assignments and prepare for the final examination..
Preparing for the exam
- Review all study units and focus on key concepts and definitions.
- Practice answering questions from the tutor-marked assignments.
- Create concept maps linking soil formation, classification, and management.
- Study the characteristics of different soil types and their distribution in Nigeria.
- Focus on understanding the factors affecting soil fertility and erosion.
Questions students ask about this course
What is SOS301 about?
This course introduces the fundamental principles of soil pedology and classification. It explores soil origin, formation, morphological characteristics, and components. The course also covers soil-forming rocks and minerals, weathering processes, profile description, soil survey, and mapping techniques. Furthermore, it examines the properties and management of Nigerian soils, providing a comprehensive understanding of soil science and its practical applications.
How many units does SOS301 have?
SOS301, Introduction To Pedology And Soil Classification, has 14 units across 3 modules, over 81 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is SOS301?
SOS301 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Agricultural Sciences.
Is SOS301 hard?
SOS301 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does SOS301 take to study?
About 156 hours of study, spread across its 14 units.
How is SOS301 assessed?
SOS301 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What do I need before starting SOS301?
Basic knowledge of biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and geology.
What can I do with SOS301?
Soil Scientist, Agricultural Consultant, Environmental Planner, Land Surveyor and Agronomist.