EVB312 Soils and the Environment
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | EVB312 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | EVB206 or ((ERB101 or ERB110 or EVB102) and 72 cp of Study) |
| Antirequisite(s): | EVB212 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,118 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,680 |
| International unit fee | $5,760 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | EVB312 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | ERB101 |
| Anti-requisite: | EVB212 |
| Coordinator: | David Rowlings | d.rowlings@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit will provide you with grounding in soil science and its application to environmental soil analysis and management, the importance of soil for ecosystem function in a changing environment, and the critical role of soils in the context of climate change. The unit links biological, ecological and geological systems and contributes to your understanding of the complexity of environmental systems in general.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply your knowledge of soil science principles, and soil processes to solve problems in modern environments in the context of sustainable environmental management, plant production and hazard management.
- Discuss how soils science principles are applied by professionals in the scientific investigation and sustainable ecosystem management.
- Recognise, describe and classify soils and soil materials in the field and in the laboratory.
- Interpret soil types, systems and processes from a range of data and information, and extract, analyse and present relevant data from soils for scientific purposes.
Content
The unit covers the following topics in both a theoretical and an applied manner:
1. Theoretical and practical pedological concepts and soil profile processes.
2. Theoretical knowledge, analytical and critical thinking concerning pedogenesis: soil forming and development processes as dynamic systems.
3. Theoretical and practical knowledge and skills, and analytical thinking concerning soil materials - processes, composition, morphology, classification, and resource qualities.
4. Theoretical and practical knowledge of soil biological, chemical and physical processes & elemental cycles.
5. Theoretical knowledge of soil-plant interaction processes.
6. Technological concepts and effective problem-solving through soil survey, sampling and interpretation with group work
Learning Approaches
The unit combines lectures, literature research, and practical exercises, including laboratory and field-based exercises to give you a theoretical knowledge base and practical experience with soils and soil environments. This will guide you to individually formulate and present ideas and concepts in soil science.
Lectures / Tutorials: This contact time will combine traditional information content focused on the key themes of the unit, and discussion and interpretation of pedological and related data, and soil management issues.
Practical: Practicals will provide hands-on experience with soil material and soil profile analysis, soil classification, and analytical procedures in the interpretation of soil biogeochemical processes.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
In addition to the Summative Assessment below, feedback will be provided on the individual and field projects. Weekly feedback on practical reports will help ensure that you keep up-to-date with your learning.
Assessment
Overview
Theoretical and practical knowledge is assessed through examination at the end of the semester, whilst practical skills are assessed during the semester through practicals and field notes. Two assignments assess, firstly, analytical thinking skills and theoretical knowledge in soil classification and pedogenesis, and secondly, practical skills and knowledge of soil biogeochemistry and data analysis.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Report
A written report based on soil classification, hazard identification and distribution and mapping in the landscape within a practical environmental land management context. Half-day trip to Samford Ecological Research Station, overnight field trip (16-18 April) to Mt Binga.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Project (applied)
An individual project to be completed on biogeochemical cycling in soil systems and their relevance to management processes and analyses.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Written Exam
Examination of your theoretical and practical knowledge via short answer and short essay style questions
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Recommended text (not compulsory):
Singer, M.J. & Munns, D.N. (2006) Soils: an introduction. 6th edn. Prentice Hall.
Additional reference material will be provided on Canvas.
Laboratory practicals: Laboratory coats and safety wear are required for some of the practicals held in the teaching laboratory.
Field practical will require appropriate footwear and protection for an outdoor environment (details will be provided on Canvas).
Additional costs:
Small costs may be associated with the field trip
Risk Assessment Statement
The unit consists of classroom-based lectures, practicals, and short field exercises, all of which are extremely low risk activities. Risk assessments for field trips identify several low impact risks, including: travel; slips and trips; animal bites, and animal and plant stings. Students are provided with a health and safety manual detailing health, safety and emergency procedures associated with laboratory and field activities. Students are required to read, understand and put into practice all safety guidelines. Safety considerations associated with field trips will be discussed in pre-trip briefings with printed notes related to safety issues being distributed where appropriate.