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Principles of Soil Science (AGRI20038)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville) and On Campus (Dookie)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery Semester 2 - On Campus |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
Soil is the foundation for profitable farming. In this subject the principles of chemistry, physics and biology will be used to determine how decisions are made on the suitability of soil for agriculture and what effects agricultural practice can have on soil. Topics include soil morphology, soil physical and chemical properties, clay mineralogy, soil organic matter, soil biology & ecology, soil acidity and alkalinity, and the biogeochemical cycles of C, N, and other elements as well as the environmental outcomes associated with the management of soils. The subject will enable students to understand the importance of soil knowledge for sustainable agricultural production. Students will undertake hands-on practicals, and field trips will be used to enable students to understand the relationship between landscapes, soils and land use, the impacts land management decisions can have on soil quality, and to describe soils for the purpose of enabling informed land management decision.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Explain the relationship between soils and landscape
- Infer soil functions from biological, chemical and physical characteristics of the soil
- Report how land management influences soil health
- Advise land managers and others on how soil properties influence agriculture production
- Draw conclusions on the relationship between land use and soil using data collated on soil properties
Generic skills
A student who satisfactorily completes this subject should be able to:
- explain their understanding of soil science;
- review and evaluate readings relating to soil science and agricultural production
- participate as an effective member of a group in workshop discussions, and study groups;
- think independently and analytically, and direct his or her own learning; and
- manage time effectively in order to be prepared for regular classes, tests and the examination.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI10046 | Foundations of Agricultural Sciences 2 | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
CHEM10003 | Chemistry 1 |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
CHEM10006 | Chemistry for Biomedicine |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
EVSC20002 Soil and Water Resources
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
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.
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Report 1 based on field trips, practicals or workshops
| Week 6 | 25% |
Report 2 based on field trips, practicals or workshops
| Week 9 | 25% |
Quiz based on practicals / workshops
| Approximately week 11 | 10% |
Examination
| End of semester | 40% |
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum 80% of scheduled workshops/practical classes | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery
Principal coordinator Helen Suter Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 52 hours. 24 hours of lectures, 12 hours of practicals/workshops, 2-days field trips Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022 Semester 2 contact information
- Semester 2 - On Campus
Coordinator Arjun Pandey Mode of delivery On Campus (Dookie) Contact hours 52 hours. 24 hours of lectures, 12 hours of practicals/workshops, 2-days field trips Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022 Semester 2 contact information
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Production Animal Science Major Agricultural Economics Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Plant and Soil Science - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024