Download ENV 325: Soils and Hydrology

ENV 325: Soils and Hydrology Fall 2013
Lecture: TR 2:00-3:50pm; Main 301
Lab: W 8-10:50 am; Lowry 205
Instructor: Dr. Kelly LaBlanc
Office: 302 Rankin
Office Phone: 262-524-7147
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: MW 1:30-2:30pm, R 10:00-11:30, or by appointment
Lab Instructor: Zelenda Koch
Phone: (414) 852-3662
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: W 11-12, R 12-1
Required Textbooks:
Brady, N.C., & Weil, R.R. (2010). Elements of the Nature and Properties of Soils (3rd ed.). Boston, MA:
Prentice Hall.
Winter, T.C., Harvey, J.W., Franke, O.L., & Alley, W.M. (1998). Ground Water and Surface Water: A
single resource. US Geological Survey Circular 1139. Denver, CO: United States Geological Survey.
Course Description:
Soil and water are two of our most precious resources. Soil is the basic substrate of all terrestrial life:
the medium for plant growth, the home of tremendous biological activity and diversity, and the store of
immense amounts of water. Soil is also the sore of vast amounts of mineral resources. Water is the
single most important chemical that sustains all living organisms. It is the universal solvent that at once
transports both needed nutrients and unwanted pollutants. An understanding of what soil and water
are, how we use and affect the quality of soil and water, and how humans manage and conserve soil and
water resource are the major topics of this course. We will develop to varying extents topics in the
fields of soil science, soil physics, soil chemistry, soil fertility, hydrology, contaminant transport, land use
planning, and conservation.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to…
1. Understand the how natural physical, chemical, and biological processes influence the
quality of Earth’s soil and water resources.
2. Understand how human activities affect the quality of the Earth’s soil and water resources.
3. Understand how soil and water resources are managed from a conservation perspective.
4. Make measurements of common soil/water physical and chemical properties.
5. Communicate information in written and oral formats.
Course Objectives:
• Define and describe the physical and chemical composition of soils including formation,
classification, morphology, fertility, and soil physics. (LO 1)
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ENV 325: Soils and Hydrology Fall 2013
Define and describe the physical and chemical properties of water.(LO 1)
Illustrate and describe the movement of atmospheric water, surface water, and ground water
including the water cycle, surface water hydrology, groundwater hydrology, and wetlands. (LO
1)
Describe and evaluate the physical and chemical processes that effect soil quality including
erosion, irrigation, pollution, biogeochemical cycles, and soil microbial ecology. (LO 2)
Describe and evaluate the physical and chemical process that effect water quality including
watersheds, erosions, pollution, and land use. (LO 2)
Document and assess current use and management of soil as a resource. (LO 3)
Document and assess current use and management of water as a resource. (LO 3)
Conduct laboratory experiments and quantify appropriate parameters related to soil and water
properties. (LO 4)
Prepare written and oral reports as directed. (LO 5)
Assessment Tools:
Exams
There are a total of three exams in this course scheduled on October 3rd, November 7th, and during the
final exam time scheduled by the registrar on Wednesday, December 18th at 1 pm. NO make-up exams
will be given except for documented illness, immediate family emergency, or with prior excuse from
faculty for sport or other school-related activity.
Problem Sets
Problem sets and evaluative readings will be assigned to you to aid in remembering, processing, and
evaluating course content. These problem sets are not group activities. While you may consult with
your classmates, the answers you turn in should represent individual effort. Problem set that have
significant similarities in format, structure, and/or wording will be considered plagiarism and are subject
to the course Academic Honesty Policy.
Lab Reports
Lab activities are a vital and required part of this course. For your safety, closed shoes like sneakers are
required in the lab room (no sandals, webbed, or open toe/heal shoes). Goggles and lab aprons may
also be required. Lab manual handouts will be provided. Lab reports are due at 8 am on the lab period
following the completion of an exercise. Do not procrastinate on these reports! Seek help early and
often. YOU MUST PASS THE LAB PORTION OF THE CLASS WITH AT LEAST A 65% TO PASS THE COURSE.
Case Studies
A case study allows you to explore real-world application of course content and examine management
and mitigation of environmental problems concerning soil and water resources. You will be required to
find an appropriate case study in a given topic area, produce an annotated bibliography, and give a
PowerPoint presentation and handout to the class. Presentations will be done on the last day of class.
ENV 325: Soils and Hydrology Fall 2013
Grading:
Grades in this course are given on the basis of points earned that are then weighted into each of the
assessment categories.
Exams =
45%
Lab Reports* =
30%
Problem Sets =
15%
Case Studies =
10%
Total =
100%
*You must earn at least 65% of the possible points in lab to pass this course.
Grades will be recorded as a courtesy to students on the MyCourses site, but this does not represent the
official grade book for the course. It is the responsibility of a student to keep all graded work and
monitor their grade.
Grade Scale:
A > 93%
AB = 89 – 92.9%
B = 83 – 88.9%
BC = 79 – 82.9%
C = 70 – 78.9%
D = 60 – 69.9%
F < 59.9%
Other Course Policies:
Late Work Policy
Late assignments will not be accepted unless the instructor has been notified before the due date (and
time) and had approved the late assignment. Even with instructor’s approval, late assignments will be
docked 10% per class day beyond the due date.
Attendance
Attendance to all scheduled lecture and lab sessions is expected throughout the semester. You are also
expected to show up on time. Missing class is not an acceptable reason for missing due dates on
assignments unless documentation (i.e. doctor’s note) is provided. You are responsible for all missed
class activities and content. Excessive unexcused absences (> 3) or tardiness (3 tardies = 1 absence) will
result in a 5% deduction in your overall grade in the course.
Academic Honesty
Your degree from Carroll University only has value if you and your classmates maintain academic
integrity. All work for this class should represent a student’s individual work. Plagiarism and other
forms of cheating will not be tolerated. Students found to be in violation of the academic honesty policy
will receive a zero on the assignment in question and a 5% deduction in overall course grade or a grade
drop of 1 level, which ever penalty is larger. Multiple violations of academic honesty policy will result in
an automatic failure of the class. All cases of academic dishonesty will be turned over to the University
ENV 325: Soils and Hydrology Fall 2013
Faculty and Student Ethic committee where further penalties may occur following the procedure in the
student handbook.
Technology Policy
You should be respectful of your instructor and peers. Use of electronic devices for non-academic
purposes is not acceptable. Cell phone should be silenced and put away during class. If you are
observed using a cell phone or other device at an inappropriate time or in an inappropriate manner, you
will be asked to leave the classroom.
Special Accommodations
Students needing special accommodations or services should contact the Walter Young Center (phone:
262-524-7335; email: [email protected]). It is the student’s responsibility to initiate such requests and
follow the protocols of the Walter Young Center.
Disclaimer:
The instructor and University reserve the right to modify amend, or change the syllabus as the
curriculum and/or program requires.
Schedule of Topics: (Subject to change)
Date
9/5
9/10
9/12
9/17
Topic
The role of soil in the environment
Rock Mineral Review, Weathering
Soil Forming Factors
Physical Properties of Soil
9/19
9/24
9/26
10/1
10/3
10/8
10/10
10/15
10/17
10/22
10/24
10/29
Soil Profile and Horizons
Soil Taxonomy
Soil Water
Exam 1
Soil Aeration
Soil Temperature
Cation Exchange Capacity
Soil pH
Soil Organisms and Ecology
FALL BREAK
Organic Material
Nitrogen and Phosphorous Cycling
10/31
Soil Environmental Issues
11/4
11/7
11/12
11/14
Role of Water in the Environment
Exam 2
Surface hydrology
Principals of Groundwater Flow
Associated Readings
Brady & Weil, P. 1-26
Brady & Weil, p. 27-32
Brady & Weil, p.43-52
Brady & Weil, p.96-109, p. 114129
Brady & Weil, p.52-64
Brady & Weil, p. 64-93
Brady & Weil, p. 132-163
Brady & Weil, p.201-218
Brady & Weil, p. 218-232
Brady & Weil, p. 235-267
Brady & Weil, p.269-298
Brady & Weil, p.322-358
Brady & Weil, p.361-393
Brady & Weil, p. 396-412, 420432
Brady & Weil, p.499-513,535536
Brady & Weil, p.163-172
11/19
11/21
11/26
11/28
12/3
12/5
12/10
12/18
ENV 325: Soils and Hydrology Fall 2013
Groundwater Flow to Wells
Groundwater –Surface Water Interactions
Groundwater-Surface Water Interactions Terrain Specific
Thanksgiving
Water Quality and Water Standards
Groundwater contamination
Case Study Presentations
Exam 4 @ 1pm
USGS1139, p. 1-32
USGS1139, p. 33-53