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Soil and Water Resources (EVSC20002)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Dr Helen Suter helencs@unimelb.edu.au
Dr Chris Weston weston@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will identify the importance of soil and water in the landscape and as key components of natural and production systems. A basic knowledge of soil properties and behaviour will be applied to understanding the cycling of water and nutrients, the appropriate use of fertilisers, irrigation and drainage and soil management practices designed to maintain or improve the condition of soil and water resources. The origin of soil variation in the landscape and codification of soil information through classification will be introduced.
Intended learning outcomes
This subject will cover areas including:
- the origins of soil variability and how this variability is expressed through the properties and behaviour of soil in the field;
- soil profile description and an introduction to soil classification (the Australian Soil Classification);
- the physical and chemical nature of soil minerals and organic matter; the main soil organisms and their functions;
- reactions in soil between the solution and surfaces;
- soil structure, aeration. water retention and movement, availability of water to plants and effects of waterlogging;
- introduction of nutrient cycling and its importance in natural and production systems (agriculture. horticulture and forestry);
- the hydrological cycle, with emphasis on the major processes - precipitation, evaporation, runoff and drainage;
- land degradation processes and their management - accelerated soil acidification, sodicity, salinity and erosion;
- understanding the processes and the extent of the problems;
- remedial measures; and
- the impact of soil management on the water quality and quantity.
Generic skills
On completing this subject, participants should be able to:
- apply theories and principles to specific contexts
- plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects
- work constructively with colleagues
- collect, evaluate and integrate information to solve problems in applied situations, including the use and manipulation of quantitative information and published literature in building arguments
- learn new concepts and to apply that learning to complex systems
- identify gaps in their knowledge and respect the value of other disciplines and points of view
- begin to identify components of complex systems and elucidate interactions between components
- prepare written documents of high quality that clearly and convincingly inform the reader
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
A reasonable knowledge of the fundamentals of chemistry is recommended.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
Students undertaking this subject will be expected to regularly access an internet-enabled computer.
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
This course requires all students to actively and safely participate in field excursions and laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Student Equity and Disability Support.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- Exam held during end of semester exam period – 2000 word equivalent worth 50%
- Practical reports due in weeks 4, 8, 9 and 11 – 1200 words equivalent worth 30%
- Online Assessment tasks due in weeks 3, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12 – 800 words equivalent worth 20%
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Christopher Weston Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Twenty-four hours lectures and thirty-six hours of practicals including fieldwork and tutorials. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Dr Helen Suter helencs@unimelb.edu.au
Dr Chris Weston weston@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
Ashman, M.R. and Puri, G. (2001). Essential Soil Science: a clear and concise introduction to soil science. Blackwell Science.
Pigram, J.J. (2006). Australia's Water Resources: from use to management. CSIRO Publishing.
White, R.E. (2005). Principles and Practice of Soil Science. 4th Edition. Blackwell Science.
- Subject notes
This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (new degree only).
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Sustainable Production Major Production Animal Health Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Major Landscape Ecosystem Management - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
Last updated: 11 April 2024