SOIL, WATER AND ECOSYSTEM SCIENCES ON CAMPUS COURSES
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SWS 4602C: ENVIRONMENTAL SOIL PHYSICS
![soil moisture sensors - SWS 4602C & 5605C image](/media/soilsifasufledu/sws-main-site/images/academics/on-campus-course-pages/SWS-4602C-webpage-image.jpeg)
About the Course
This course is designed for undergraduate students who are interested in the basic principles of soil physics and soil hydrology. The goal is to provide students with a deep understanding of the theoretical and practical basis of physical properties and processes in soil. Topics covered include:
- General physical characterization of soils
- Soil water content and potential
- Soil water balance and water retention
- Infiltration and hydraulic conductivity
- Flow of water in saturated and unsaturated soil
- Plant available water and root water uptake
- Solute and contaminant transport and mechanisms
- Soil temperature and heat flow
Students will receive hands-on training in measuring soil physical and hydraulic properties and processes in laboratory and field settings; working with state-of-the-art sensors and data acquisition systems and computer models; processing and interpreting data using relevant software; and writing scientific reports. Students will obtain skills applicable to soil science, water science, agronomy, hydrology, ecology, environmental science, and other related disciplines.
Credits: 3
Semesters Offered: Spring
General Education Requirement: P (Physical Science)
Prerequisites: MAC 2311 and PHY 2004 and SWS 3022.
Textbook: Environmental Soil Physics, by Daniel Hillel, 1998. Academic Press, Inc. San Diego, California.