SOIL, WATER, AND ECOSYSTEM SCIENCES ONLINE COURSES
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SWS 5605C: ENVIRONMENTAL SOIL PHYSICS
About the Course
This course is designed for graduate 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
Prerequisites: CHM 2040, MAC 2312, PHY 2004, SWS 5050.
Reading Material: Class notes, PowerPoint slides, and research articles will be used.