Soils and the Environment

Queensland University of Technology

Course Description

  • Course Name

    Soils and the Environment

  • Host University

    Queensland University of Technology

  • Location

    Brisbane, Australia

  • Area of Study

    Engineering Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science

  • Language Level

    Taught In English

  • Prerequisites

    ERB101

  • Course Level Recommendations

    Upper

    ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.

    Hours & Credits

  • Credit Points

    12
  • Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
    3 - 4
  • Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
    4 - 6

  • Overview

    Synopsis:
    This unit will provide you with grounding in soil science and its application to environmental soil analysis and management, the importance of soil for ecosystem function in a changing environment, and the critical role of soils in the context of climate change. The unit links biological, ecological and geological systems and contributes to your understanding of the complexity of environmental systems in general.
    Learning Outcomes
    On completion of this unit you will be able to:
    1. Apply your knowledge of soil science principles, and soil processes to solve problems in modern environments in the context of sustainable environmental management and hazard management.
    2. Discuss how soils science principles are applied by professionals in the scientific investigation and sustainable ecosystem management.
    3. Recognise, describe and classify soils and soil materials in the field and in the laboratory.
    4. Interpret soil types, systems and processes from a range of data and information, and extract, analyse and present relevant data from soils for scientific purposes.
    Content
    The unit covers the following topics in both a theoretical and an applied manner:
    1. Theoretical and practical pedological concepts and soil profile processes.
    2. Theoretical knowledge, analytical and critical thinking concerning pedogenesis: soil forming and development processes as dynamic systems.
    3. Theoretical and practical knowledge and skills, and analytical thinking concerning soil materials - processes, composition, morphology, classification, and resource qualities.
    4. Theoretical and practical knowledge of soil biological processes & the carbon and nitrogen cycles.
    5. Theoretical knowledge of soil-plant interaction processes.
    6. Theoretical knowledge and critical thinking concerning soil function in geo-ecological and agro-ecological ecosystems
    7. Technological concepts and effective problem-solving through soil survey, sampling and interpretation with group work
    Approaches to Teaching and Learning
    The unit combines lectures, literature research, and practical exercises, including laboratory and field work to give you a theoretical knowledge base and practical experience with soils and soil environments.This will guide you to individually formulate and present ideas and concepts in soil science.
    Lectures / Tutorials: This contact time will combine traditional information content focused on the key themes of the unit, and discussion and interpretation of pedological and related data, and soil management issues.
    Practical: Practicals will provide hands-on experience with soil material and soil profile analysis, classification using samples and microscopy, and analytical procedures in the interpretation of soil processes and environments, both in the laboratory and in the field.
    Field excursions: Field trips will focus on the application of skills in analysing soil materials, and soil profile description and interpretation in the field while also teaching you the fundamentals of soil interpretation and analysis in the landscape

Course Disclaimer

Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.

Eligibility for courses may be subject to a placement exam and/or pre-requisites.

Some courses may require additional fees.

Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.

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