Soil Science (SS)

Biological, chemical, physical and genetic properties of soils. Application of scientific principles to solving land use, water management, and soil conservation problems. Interpretation of soils data for making environmental decisions, applying management practices, and sustainable food production. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Fulfills GE Areas B1 and B3 (GE Areas B3 and B4 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs).

Soils' ecological functions; soil and the water cycle; soil in production of food, fiber, and forest materials; techniques and reports of soil analyses with agricultural and environmental applications; soil quality; introductory overview of soils and civilizations. Not open to students with credit in SS 120. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Fulfills GE Areas B1 and B3 (GE Areas B3 and B4 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs).

Plant nutrient requirements in the context of soil health. Composition, value, and use of fertilizer materials, conditioners and agricultural minerals for sustainable crop production and environmental quality. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Directed group study of selected topics. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 12 units. 1 to 4 lectures. Crosslisted as ERSC/SS 270.

Identification of soil morphological and site properties. Correlation of soil physical and chemical properties with soil taxonomy and land use. Techniques of interpretations for agriculture, forest lands, wetlands, range lands and urban development. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Investigation and evaluation of soil functions. Nutrient supplying ability, conditions and processes involved in the delivery of soil functions. Effects of cultural treatments on soil fertility. Diagnostic techniques and data interpretation in soil health. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Selected students will spend up to 12 weeks with an approved firm or agency engaged in work and study related to their major. A detailed written proposal and written interim and final reports required. One unit of credit may be allowed for each full week of internship. Credit/No Credit grading. Crosslisted as ERSC/SS 339.

Individual investigation, research, studies or surveys of selected problems. Total credit limited to 12 units. Crosslisted as ERSC/SS 400.

Experience in soil, compost, and water testing. Sampling rationale and protocol. Analyses of compost feedstocks and finished compost; monitoring for consistency. Theory and practice in use of analytical instrumentation. Interpretation of results for soil, compost, and water management. Total credit limited to 6 units for SS or ERSC majors. Total credit limited to 3 units for Soil Science minor.

The formation, characteristics, and functions of wetlands. Genesis of hydric soils. Plant adaptations to saturated soils. Wetlands as wildlife habitat. Policies and social issues associated with wetlands. The procedures of wetland delineations. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Crosslisted as BIO/NR/SS 421.

Biochemical activities, ecology and environmental implications of soil organisms. Effects on the formation, characteristics, and productivity of soils. Methods of studying soil organisms. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Chemical processes governing weathering, soil mineral formation and stability, common solubility equilibria. Use of chemical principles to explain surface chemical properties of soils and environmental problems in water and soil chemical systems. Preparation of professional quality reports based on laboratory data and library research. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory, 1 activity.

Matter and energy in soils, with emphasis on properties and behavior of solids, water, air, and heat. Applications to agriculture, forestry, range management, engineering, and environmental sciences. Preparation of professional reports based on laboratory data and library research. Satisfies senior project requirement. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory, 1 activity. Formerly SS 432.

Development and production of digital soil surveys for interpretive purposes. Use of soil taxonomy, land classification systems, geographic information system (GIS) software, and geostatistics to evaluate land for best management practices. 2 lectures, 2 laboratories.

Ecosystem approach to chemical, biological, physical and mechanical properties of forest and range soils. Site quality, nutrient cycling, erosion and mass movement, fire effects. Preparation of soil management reports similar to those required by various land management organizations. Overnight field trips. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Morphological description of soils in the field. Taxonomic determination of classifications and interpretive properties from soil descriptions. Participation in collegiate soil judging contests. Total credit limited to 12 units. 1 lecture, 1 laboratory.

Review of current research, experiments, and problems related to the student's major field of interest. Preparation and presentation of reports on problems or research activities. 2 seminars.

Directed group study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Class Schedule list topic selected. Total credit limited to 12 units. 1 to 4 lectures. Crosslisted as ERSC/SS 470.

Directed group laboratory study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 laboratories. Crosslisted as ERSC/SS 471.

Advanced independent study planned and completed under the direction of a member of the Earth and Soil Sciences faculty. Total credit limited to 6 units.

Current research frontiers in soil fertility. Evaluating soil testing philosophy, theories and interpretation. Optimizing soil conditions for maximizing crop production. Consequences of environmental pollution, trace elements and organic amendments. Use of biofertilizers, soil amendments, and enhanced efficiency fertilizers. Isotopes in soil fertility. 3 lectures.

Directed group study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 12 units. 1 to 4 seminars.

Directed group laboratory study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 laboratories.

Development of plans and practices for the management of crop, range, urban and wood land. 2 seminars, 1 laboratory.

Individual research in soil science under faculty supervision, leading to a scholarly written presentation exhibiting originality, clarity, critical and independent thinking, proper analysis of data, appropriate organization and format, and accurate and thorough documentation. Six units required for the M.S. degree.