Soil Quality (SWS6134, E-learning)

Soil Quality graduate level course offered fall semesters

The course will acquaint students with basic concepts, principles, components, measurements, and evaluation of soil quality and its management for sustainable agriculture.

Soil quality is the capacity of the soil to function within the ecosystem boundaries to sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental quality, and promote plant and animal health.

In this course, state-of-the-art studies on soil quality and the principles, assessment and management of soil quality are examined with respect to biological production, plant and animal health, food security, and environmental quality. After studying this course, the students should be able to understand basic principles of soil quality and learn to assess and evaluate soil quality related to agricultural production and environmental quality.

Course Delivery Method:

E-Learning System/sakai and Audio lectures (with powerpoint presentations and reading materials)

Agriculture and Environmental Quality (ALS3133, E-learning)

Agriculture and Environmental Quality undergraduate course offered spring semesters

To acquaint the students from agricultural as well as other disciplines with agricultural practices and their effect on environmental quality, and to show how agricultural scientists are attempting to minimize agricultural pollution and sustain food production in meeting the demands of the increasing population in the world.

This course should be of significant value to those students who will be involved in the management of agricultural production, environmental quality, and processing industries, and as well as to those with a special interest in agricultural pollution control, ecosystem service, and plan further study in this area.

Course delivery method:

E-Learning in sakai system including narrated ppt and chat room discussion with Adobe Connect, plus lecture videos by Dr. Donald Graetz and Dr. Roger Nordstedt.

Target Students:

Students who will be involved in the management of agricultural production, environmental quality, and processing industries, as well as to those with a special interest in agricultural pollution control, ecosystem service, and plan further study in this area.

Soil Quality Laboratory (SWS3022L)

Soil Quality Laboratory offered fall semesters

To give practical experience as an aid in developing understanding of the soil as a natural body, a medium of plant growth, and its variability from location to location. Topics will include: formation and classification of soils, soil physical and chemical properties, importance of soils in agriculture and environment, and soil management strategies.