AESC20070

Learning Outcomes:

The module provides an introduction to soils and soil materials relevant to urban and constructed landscapes for plant growth. On successful completion, students will be able to assess topsoil suitability for plant growth, and to relate soils in landscape architecture with the broader field of soil science.

Indicative Module Content:

1. Soil Functions: the concept of soil functions; the policy context of soil functions; the biomass-production function; the processing function; threats to soil functions.
2. Soil Materials: soil vocabularies; soil organic matter; soil biology; soil chemistry.
3. Soil Landscapes: soil landscapes of the world and the five factors of soil formation; soil landscapes of Ireland and soil processes; soils in the Anthropocene.
4. Working with Soil: brownfields and greenfields; soil materials for landscape architecture.

Student Effort Hours:

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

There will be a series of twelve one-hour lecture sessions. Supplementary material for online learning will be provided. There will be three practicals, one indoors on soil colour, texture & stucture, and two outdoors -—on assessing topsoil suitability for plant growth, and on interpreting constructed landforms.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.

Module Requisites and Incompatibles

Incompatibles:
AESC20060 - Soil Science Basics, AESC40250 - Soil Resources, AESC40410 - Soil, Plant & Water Resources

Equivalents:
Land Utilisation (ERM40280)


 

Assessment Strategy

 

Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Following assessment, answers and automated feedback are given through the quiz in Brightspace. Where practicals are replaced by online content, feedback will be given as descriptive grading guides, at class level and following grading.