Course Offerings in Soil and Water Science

The following courses are available for students wishing to pursue study in soil and water science. 

• Nanotechnology Application in Agriculture and Environment

  Description

  Nanotechnology is an emerging field of applied science that engages almost every technical discipline – from chemistry to agriculture – in the study and application of extremely tiny materials with particle sizes ranging from ~1-100 nm.

  This co-taught graduate/undergraduate course covers the fundamentals of nanoscience and nanotechnology: from historical development; to concepts and principles; nanomaterial manufacturing and property characterization; and the application of nanotechnology in food science, agriculture, and environment.

  • Syllabus - Nanotechnology (undergraduate course offered spring semesters) 

  Objectives

  1. To learn the basic concepts, principles, and components of nanotechnology. At the end of the course all students will be able to describe basic theory of nanoscience and nanotechnology.
  2. To learn about the creation and characterization of nanomaterials. At the end of the course, all students will be familiar with methods for characterizing important properties of nanomaterials commonly used in agriculture and the environment.
  3. To learn the application of nanotechnology in agriculture, food, and environment. At the end of the course, all students will be able to apply nanotechnology to solve some problems in the fields of food, agriculture, and environment.
  4. To learn about toxicology of engineered nanoparticles (EPs) and current methods of assessment.
• Soil Quality

  Description

  To 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 and 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, students should be able to to understand basic principles of soil quality, and be able to analyze and evaluate soil quality related to agricultural production and environmental quality.

  • Syllabus - Soil Quality (SWS 3022)

  Delivery Method

  E-Learning System/Articulate and Audio lectures (with Powerpoint presentations and reading materials).

  Frequency

  Fall semester, every year

  Target Students

  Graduate /senior undergraduate students who wish to become specialists in food, agriculture, and environment.

• Soil Science Laboratory

  Description

  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.

  • Syllabus - Soil Science Laboratory (SWS 3022L)

  Frequency

  Offered fall semesters, every year.