11645 - Basic Soil Science Modulübersicht

Module Number: 11645
Module Title:Basic Soil Science
  Grundlagen der Bodenkunde
Department: Faculty 2 - Environment and Natural Sciences
Responsible Staff Member:
  • Prof. Dr. phil. Raab, Thomas
Language of Teaching / Examination:English
Duration:1 semester
Frequency of Offer: Every summer semester
Credits: 6
Learning Outcome:Student will be able to:
  • understands the role of the most relevant functions of soils in ecosystems
  • explain the factors and processes of soil development
  • understand princples of soil taxonomy
  • get familiar with major soil types of Europe - evolution, horizonation, properties and distribution
  • explain the basics of global soil zones
  • know the organic and mineral constituents of soils and related interactions
  • explain the basics of soil physics and soil chemistry 
  • find and work with the scientific literature regarding soil science
  • conduct basic laboratory analyses and interpret lab data (color, texture, Corg, pH, EC)
Contents:

Part 1 Lecture: 

    • Importance and Functions of Soils
    • Soil Morphology
    • Soil Horizons
    • Soil Mineralogy
    • Soil Organic Matter
    • Soil Chemistry
    • Soil Physics
    • Factors of Soil Formation
    • Soil Forming Processes
    • Soil Distribution


Part 2 Excercise:

  • Excursion: field trip focusing on soil development and classification
  • Introduction to lab work: overview of available soil analytical methods
  • Laboratory exercises on analysing basic physical and chemical soil parameters
  • Sample preparation 
  • pH, EC
  • Soil color
  • Soil texture
  • CaCO3 content
  • Soil organic matter content
  • Presentation and interpretation of soil data
Recommended Prerequisites:
  • Basic knowledge in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Geography 
Mandatory Prerequisites:None
Forms of Teaching and Proportion:
  • Lecture / 2 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Exercise / 2 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Self organised studies / 120 Hours
Teaching Materials and Literature:
  • Blume, H.-P., Brümmer, G.W., Horn, R., Kandeler, E., Kögel-Knabner, I., Kretzschmar, R., Stahr, K. & Wilke, B.-M. (2016): Scheffer/Schachtschabel: Soil Science. Springer (ISBN 9783642309427)
  • IUSS Working Group WRB (2022) World Reference Base for Soil Resources. International soil classification system for naming soils and creating legends for soil maps. 4th edition. International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), Vienna, Austria.
  • Schaetzl, R.J. & Thompson, M.L. (2015): Soils: Genesis and Geomorphology. Cambridge University Press (ISBN 9781107016934).
  • Weil, R. & Brady, N.C. (2016): The Nature and Properties of Soils. Pearson (ISBN 9781292162232). 
  • Zech, W., Schad, P., Hintermaier-Erhard, G. (2022): Soils of the World. Springer (ISBN 978-3-540-30461-6).
Module Examination:Continuous Assessment (MCA)
Assessment Mode for Module Examination:
    • Mid term assessment (written or oral) on lecture Basic Soil Science, 40 min. (30 %)
    • Final assessment (written or oral) on lecture Basic Soil Science, 40 min. (30 %)
    • Practical excercises in the laboratory 3 x 240 minutes  (20 %)
    • Presentation (10 min. talk) on laboratory exercise (20 %)
Evaluation of Module Examination:Performance Verification – graded
Limited Number of Participants:None
Part of the Study Programme:
  • Abschluss im Ausland / Environmental and Resource Management / keine PO
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2015
Remarks: 
Module Components:
  • 240422 Lecture Basic Soil Science
  • 240433 Exercise Laboratory
Components to be offered in the Current Semester: