SOIL&WAT 2500WT - Soil and Water Resources II
Waite Campus - Semester 1 - 2024
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code SOIL&WAT 2500WT Course Soil and Water Resources II Coordinating Unit Agricultural Science Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s Waite Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 6 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Assessment Practicals, quizzes, theory exam Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Ashlea Doolette
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students should be able to:
1. Understand and answer written questions about physical, chemical and biological soil properties, nutrient cycles and the role of soil organisms in these, and important water quality indicators.
2. Conduct basic measurements & observations of soil properties / behaviour, describe the nature and extent of soil degradation in Australia and suggest approaches to manage and conserve soils.
3. Improve their quantitative problem-solving skills, including data handling
4. Work effectively in small groupsUniversity Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1, 2, 3, 4 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1, 2, 3 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
2, 4 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
2, 3, 4 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
3, 4 Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
3 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
Course guide
Lecture slides
Practical manualRecommended Resources
Reading list available through the University Libraries
Brady NC, Weil RR 2000. The nature and properties of soils. Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle, NJ.
McLaren RG, Cameron KC 1996. Soil Science: sustainable production & environmental protection. Oxford University Press. Auckland, NZ.
Morgan RPC 1995. Soil erosion & conservation 2nd edition Longman Scientific & Technical Publications. New York.
Troeh FR, Hobbs JA, Donahue RL 1980. Soil and water conservation for productivity and environmental protection Prentice-Hall, New Jersey.
White RE 1997. Principles & practice of soil science: the soil as a natural resource. Oxford University Press. New York. Wild A (ed) 1988.
Russell's soil conditions and plant growth 11th edition. Longman Scientific & Technical Publications. New York.Online Learning
MyUni -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Online lectures are supported by on-line access to lecture slides and recordings.
Action-based tutorials help acquire knowledge and understanding within a wider context.
Practicals are designed to learn fundamental principles in soil and water processes and their measurement as well as the practical application of this knowledge in the field.
Quizzes allow focussed learning of particular topics and supported by in-class tutorials that are arranged in the previous weeks.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).Learning Activities Summary
In this course, students will learn about properties of soil which are important to understand soil functions and the impact of management strategies. Topics covered include general soil properties, soil water (potential, movement, and quality), soil chemistry and fertility, organic matter and nutrient cycling and soil management and conservation. Concepts and principles are explained in lectures and practicals provide hands-on experience. In-class tutorials and quizzes further help students to understand the material covered in the course.Specific Course Requirements
Closed shoes must be worn during the practicals.
Lab coats are highly recommended for practicals. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Type of assessment Percentage of total mark Hurdle Yes or No? Outcomes being assessed/achieved Approximate Timing of Assessment Practical reports Formative & Summative 30 No 1,2, 3, 4 Weeks 1, 2, 7. 9, 12 Quizzes Formative & Summative 30 No 1, 2, 3 Weeks 5, 11, 13 Final exam Summative 40 No 1, 2, 3 Exam week
Assessment Detail
Practical reports
There are 5 short practical reports which are submitted online. The reports include data of results of practicals, calculations and, in some cases, short answer questions about background to the practical or management strategies. Practical reports are completed in groups of four, all four students receive the same mark.
Tutorials
There will be five formative tutorials. The tutorials will cover the core parts of the topic as well as, in some cases, calculations. Three tutorials are not assessed, but the quiz in the following week will be based on the tutorials. Attendance at all tutorials is recommended because they cover the material in the quizzes and improve your understanding.
Quizzes
There are three quizzes each worth 10% of the total course mark. The purpose of these quizzes is to ensure you are familiar with the material as we proceed through the semester and to help prepare you for (and take some pressure off) the final examinations.
Final exam
The three hour final exam includes questions covering the various topics of the course. For most topics, students have access to potential exam questions and can therefore prepare well for them.
It will consist of multiple choice, short answer and long answer questions.
Submission
Late Submission:
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
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