Soil Science (SOIL)

1000 Level | 2000 Level | 3000 Level | 4000 Level

USP Codes are listed in brackets by the 1991 USP code followed by the 2003 USP code (i.e. [M2<>QB]).

2010 [AECL 2010]. Introduction to Soil Science. 4. [S3<>SE] Introduces soil ecological processes and management in terrestrial environments. Discusses interaction of soil, biological, chemical, morphological, and physical properties with land management in wildland and agricultural ecosystems. Emphasis of the course is on plant response to soil conditions.

2300. Irrigation Principles. 3. Studies basic soil-water relationships, evapotranspiration, water quality criteria, efficiencies, plant response and management, as they apply to irrigation of agricultural lands. Cross listed with PLNT 2300. Prerequisite: MATH 1400.

3130. Environmental Quality. 3. Introduction to environmental quality issues and events. Course emphasizes impacts to soil, water, atmospheric, and vegetative ecosystems due to different nutrients and contaminants, including nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, trace elements, and organic chemicals. Current information pertaining to environmental quality is discussed and a field trip to the Union Pacific Tie Plant. Prerequisites: complete at least 1 University Studies Science course (S1<>SB, S2<>SP or S3<>SE) or consent of instructor. (Offered fall semester)

4100. Soil Physics. 3. [M3<>(none)] Examines forms and interrelations of matter and energy in the soil environment. Primarily addresses fluxes and transformations of soil water and solutes, as well as physical properties that influence soil productivity. Dual listed with SOIL 5100. Prerequisite: SOIL 2010 or equivalent introductory soils course. (Offered spring semester)

4105. Soil Physics Laboratory. 2. Teaches students the methodology and use of equipment to measure soil physical properties in the laboratory and field. Experiments include particle size analysis, soil surface area, soil-water measurement with neutron probe and TDR, field infiltration rate, soil-water retention curve, soil pore size distribution, saturated and unsaturated conductivities, soil water potential and solute breakthrough curve. Dual listed with SOIL 5105. Prerequisite: SOIL 2010

4120. Genesis, Morphology and Classification of Soils. 3. Processes of soil development and methods of description, survey and classification. Includes field trips which examine soils in the Laramie Basin and surrounding mountains. Dual listed with SOIL 5120. Prerequisite: SOIL 2010. (Offered fall semester)

4130. Chemistry of the Soil Environment. 4. [M3<>(none)] Introduction to the chemical properties and reactions that occur in the soil environment. Fundamental principles of soil mineralogy, organic matter and equilibrium chemistry as they relate to soil chemical reactions, plant nutrient availability and pedogenetic processes will be emphasized. Dual listed with SOIL 5130. Prerequisite: SOIL 2010, CHEM 1030 or CHEM 1060. (Normally offered spring semester)

4135. Soil Chemistry Laboratory 2. Laboratory techniques and methods of analysis will be used to examine soils, sediments, and water chemical characteristics and reactions. Experiments will include data analysis, computer models, nutrient and contaminant characteristics, mineral properties, soil/sediment oxidation-reduction reactions as well as others. Students will be required to develop a soil chemistry experiment in their area of interest. Dual listed with SOIL 5135. Prerequisites: completion or concurrent enrollment in SOIL 4130/5130 or GEOL 4777, or consent of instructor.

4140. Soil Microbiology. 4. Fundamental principles of soil microbiology and how they relate to microbial ecology, environmental contamination, agriculture and forestry. Dual listed with SOIL 5140. Prerequisite: SOIL 2010 or consent of instructor. (Offered spring semester)

4150. Forest and Range Soils. 3. Characteristics and management of forest and range soils primarily in arid environments. Examines pedagogical units representative of forests and ranges and soil properties, such as nutrient availability and water relations that influence plant growth. Dual listed with SOIL 5150. Prerequisites: SOIL 2010 and LIFE 2023. (Normally offered fall semester of even-numbered years)

4160. Soil Fertility and Fertilizers. 3. Physical, chemical and biological aspects of soils that impact fertilizer fate, uptake and plant growth. Dual listed with SOIL 5160. Prerequisite: SOIL 2010. (Normally offered fall semester of odd-numbered years)

4170. Analytical Methods for Ecosystems Research. 4. Introduces methods for collecting, preparing and analyzing environment solid and solution samples. Emphasizes instrumental methods, quality control/quality assurance and data analysis. Requires student participation in laboratory sessions, which involve analysis of different environmental samples. Dual listed with SOIL 5170. Prerequisites: CHEM 1030, CHEM 1060 and CHEM 2230 recommended. (Normally offered fall semester of odd-numbered years)

4535. Soil Biogeochemistry. 3. Focuses on fundamental considerations of organic substances, microbiological systems, and chemical processes in soils, sediments and waters. Examination of the nature and origin or organic matter and the role of microorganisms in organic nutrient transformations, reactions, and interactions in different ecosystems. Dual listed with SOIL 5535. Prerequisites: SOIL 2010, completion of courses in introductory college chemistry and biology, and consent of instructor(s).

4565. Research: Soil Science. 1-4 (MAX 6.0). Library, laboratory, and/or green-house investigations on select research topics. Graduate students will be required to give a presentation to the soild science group on their final product/report. Dual listed with SOIL 5565. Prerequisites: basic training in soil science research. SOIL 5565 reserved for graduate students.


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Last Change: 11/08/07