AESC40250

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the course students will:
• understand pedogenesis
• understand the methods used in describing soils
• appreciate the factors which determine the type of soil occurring under particular environmental conditions
• understand the processes involved in the transformation of nutrients in soils
• appreciate the factors which determine the movement of water and nutrients through soil profiles
• appreciate the effects of physical manipulation on soil

Indicative Module Content:

The central role of soils in natural and managed systems paying particular attention to agricultural, forest and built environments; the formation of soils; the physical nature of soils; soil biology; soil descriptions; interactions between the physical and biological aspects of soil which help in the delivery of sustainable production and water management; and soil erosion.

Student Effort Hours:

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

Online lectures are the main teaching content. These have been developed by several contributors, and over a long time, so differences of preparation software and design are apparent. Some in-content quizzes or Brightspace quizzes are used, that do not contribute to module assessment.

As a fully online module, taken by students remotely and in any location, there are no in-person or scheduled content elements, and no requirement to attend any events. Content is released twice weekly during the twelve weeks of teaching term in Spring Trimester, notably with a two-week gap after Week 7.

The "small project" (30%, submitted in Week 11) involves scholarly research on published sources related to soils or greenhouse gas emissions, for a specified context. This piece requires students to access works by other authors, and to use their ideas and context including images, accurately citing the source in each case, and providing a working link to the resource used.

Uncritical use of AI generated content, such as unnecessary language, unverifiable references, or unattributed imagery is likely to attract a fail grade. On the other hand, language or punctuation issues, mistakes and human error, ideas and quotes from identified sources, or original hand-drawn sketches or other creative content will be welcomed within scholarly work.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.

Module Requisites and Incompatibles

Incompatibles:
AESC20070 - Soil Resources, ERM40280 - Land Utilisation

Equivalents:
Soil Resources (AESC20070)


 

Assessment Strategy

 

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

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Quizzes are given with online, automated feedback, following grading. Following assessment of the small project submitted in Week 11, students will be given individual detailed feedback in Brightspace.