COLUMBIA STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

SYLLABUS - SOIL SCIENCE - AGT 231

 Fall 2005

  INSTRUCTOR:  Dearl D. Lampley

 OFFICE NUMBER AND PHONE:  Warf Science Building 226A,     540-2678

 OFFICE HOURS:  Posted on door.

 Email:   D.Lampley@columbiastate.edu

 CLASSROOM AND HOUR:  Warf Science Building 115

                                                             Monday, Wednesday:  8:00 - 9:20

                                                             Friday:  8:00 - 10:00

   I.  COURSE DESCRIPTION:  A study of the properties of soil, its origin, classification, and physical and chemical properties.  Lab exercises will deal with soil minerals, soil judging and evaluation, the effects of liming and fertilizing, and their influence on plant growth.

  II.  CREDITS:      4 semester hours credit, 3 hours lecture and 2 hours laboratory

III.  REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:  Soil Science and Management, 4^th ed. By Plaster

 IV.  COURSE OBJECTIVES:

            After completion of this course, the student should be able to do the following:

            A.  Visually evaluate the physical properties of a given soil.

            B.  Read and interpret county soil surveys.

            C.  Understand the chemical properties of a soil and their relationship to crop production and soil management.

            D.  Read and interpret soil test reports.

            E.  Understand the biological properties of soil and their relationship to plant production and soil management.

            F.  Appreciate the soil as a natural resource and how it can be conserved.

    V.  COURSE OUTLINE:

      Physical Properties of Soil

            Soil Formation and Classification

            Soil Colloids

            Supply and Availability of Plant Nutrients

            Acidity and Alkalinity

            Lime and Its Relationship to Soil and Plants

            Soil Nitrogen

            Soil Phosphorus

            Soil Potassium

      Micronutrients

      Fertilizers and Their Use

            Soil Organisms

            Soil Organic Matter

   VI.  GRADING POLICY: Weekly Quizzes      25%

                                              Mid-Term                25%

                                              Final Test                 25%

                                              Laboratory*             25%

*Lab grade will include the following site fertility plan 50% and lab final 50%

                  1. Soil Maps

                  2. Soil Tests

                  3. Proposed crops

                  4. Fertilizer rates

                  5. Liming rates

  VII.  GRADING SCALE:    A =  90 - 100

                                                B =   80 -  89

                                                C =   70 -  79

                                                D =   60 -  69

                                                F = Below 60

VIII.  POLICIES, METHODS, AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

            A.  See the current catalog for student responsibilities.  Last day to drop is November 10, 2005.

            B.  The class will be primarily lecture with labs based on lecture material.

            C.  Two missed classes will be allowed.  Three misses or tardies will result in the loss of 5 points from final grade. 

                  Five misses or tardies will result in loss of 10 points off final grade.

            D.  No makeup test or quizzes will be given without prior notice by the student of absence.

            E.  Use of cell phones is not permitted.

IX.    Final Exam: Wednesday, December 14, 8:00 - 9:50 a.m.

X.    Grades

Grades are not mailed to students. You must access grades through Web for Students  www.columbiastate.edu  five (5) working days after grades are required in Admissions.  Students needing official copies of grades must request it in writing from the Office of Admissions and Records. Call the transcript information line at 931/540-2550 for detailed instructions.  Students may print a copy of their grades from Web for Students.

XI. Emergencies 

In the case of an emergency, all students are to follow the directions given by the instructor. All students should note the "Emergency Procedures Guide" posted in the classroom.

         *In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students are encouraged to register with the office of Counseling/Disability Services for possible assistance with accommodations.  It is the student’s responsibility to voluntarily and confidentially provide appropriate documentation regarding the nature and extent of a disability.  Students requesting special accommodations are (strongly) encouraged to contact the office of Counseling/Disability Services at the beginning of the semester.