Mar 28, 2024  
2022 - 2023 Cowley College Academic Catalog 
    
2022 - 2023 Cowley College Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

AGR1280 SOILS FOR PRODUCTION COURSE PROCEDURE


AGR1280 SOILS FOR PRODUCTION

3 Credit Hours

Student Level:

This course is open to students on the college level in either the freshman or the sophomore year.

Catalog Description:

AGR1280 - Soils for Production (3 hrs.)

This course includes the basic chemical, physical and biological properties of soils as well as its formation, fertility and usage.

Course Classification:

Lecture

Prerequisites:

None

Controlling Purpose:

The purpose of this this course is to provide the student with the knowledge and skill necessary to formulate rations to feed livestock and that the nutritional needs of the animal is being meet.

Learner Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, the student will:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic and applied chemical, physical, and biological concepts in soil. 
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of the origin, classification, and distribution of soils and their relationship to people and food production. 
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the management and conservation of soils. 
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the environmental impact of soil use. 

Unit Outcomes for Criterion Based Evaluation:

The following outline defines the minimum core content not including the final examination period. Instructors may add other material as time allows.

UNIT 1: Introduction to Basic Soil Science

Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to successfully demonstrate knowledge of the basic and applied chemical, physical, and biological concepts in soil. 

  • Describe soil formation and the classifying of soils as to their physical properties
  • Apply the concepts of soil chemistry to soil fertility, its use and management
  • Explain the importance of soil minerals and soil organic matter
  • Identify and describe the physical properties of soils

UNIT 2: Soils and Soil Types

Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to successfully demonstrate knowledge of the origin, classification, and distribution of soils and their relationship to people and food production. 

  • Describe soil water as to its movement in the soil and its relationship to plants
  • Explain the importance of soils to agriculture and the world economy
  • Use the technical terminology associated with the description and use of soils.

UNIT 3: Conservation and Management

Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to successfully demonstrate knowledge of the management and conservation of soils. 

  • Identify soil compaction and soil erosion problems and discuss what causes them
  • Describe how field borings, laboratory analysis and aerial photography are integrated to create a soil survey map.
  • Demonstrate the ability to interpret a web soil survey map and determine land use and soil management practices to apply to given areas
  • Demonstrate skills required to make field observations and interpretations of soils for various uses.

UNIT 4: Climate and Environmental Effects

Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to successfully demonstrate knowledge of the environmental impact of soil use. 

  • Locate and use information from a variety of sources for land use planning and soil management decisions.
  • Explain the impact of land use and management decisions on agricultural productivity and sustainability, environmental and ecological health, and land degradation.
  • Describe the ways in which soils are an integral component of the terrestrial ecosystem.
  • Identify soil properties important to land use, environmental quality, plant growth and society/culture.

Projects Required:

Various, refer to syllabus

Textbook:

Contact Bookstore for current textbook.

Attendance Policy:

Students should adhere to the attendance policy outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.

Grading Policy:

The grading policy will be outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.

Maximum class size:

Based on classroom occupancy.

Course Time Frame:

The U.S. Department of Education, Higher Learning Commission and the Kansas Board of Regents define credit hour and have specific regulations that the college must follow when developing, teaching and assessing the educational aspects of the college.  A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time.  The number of semester hours of credit allowed for each distance education or blended hybrid courses shall be assigned by the college based on the amount of time needed to achieve the same course outcomes in a purely face-to-face format.

Refer to the following policies:

402.00 Academic Code of Conduct

263.00 Student Appeal of Course Grades

403.00 Student Code of Conduct

Disability Services Program: 

Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, will accommodate a student with a documented disability.  If a student has a disability which may impact work in this class which requires accommodations, contact the Disability Services Coordinator.

Disclaimer: This Information is Subject to Change. For the Official Course Procedure Contact Academic Affairs.