About the Course

The course is an introductory class in soil science intended for graduate students and professionals in the environmental science area with little or no background in soil science. The course will describe soil physical, chemical and biological properties and processes that determine the fundamental role soils play in the environment.

Students will gain an overall understanding of the soil physical, chemical and biological properties that impact plant growth and the environment, recognize the different soil processes that occur in soils, whether related to water retention, cation exchange capacity or adsorption, and gain a general understanding of nutrient cycles.