Semester: Fall 2000 (offered every fall semester)

Instructor: Dr. John C. Sencindiver
Professor of Soil Science
Office: 1100 Agricultural Sciences Building
Telephone: 304-293-6256
Fax: 304-293-2960
E-mail: jsencind@wvu.edu
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. or other times by appointment.

Objectives of the Course:

The objective of this course is to teach students to describe and evaluate soils in the field.

By the end of the semester, students will:

1. Be able to describe soil profiles.
2. Be able to make basic interpretations based on soil morphological properties.
3. Be able to classify epipedons, diagnostic subsurface horizons, and soil orders.
4. Become familiar with properties of some Monongalia County , WV soils.
5. Learn properties of some Tennessee soils.

Class Format: Classes will meet on Friday at 2:00 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. We will be in the field for most class sessions. Transportation will be provided to the field sites. For those days when we plan to be in the field, we will meet at the Agricultural Sciences building loading dock at the end of the building facing the greenhouse. For some planned class sessions we will meet in room 1085 Agricultural Sciences Building. We also will meet in room 1085 on days when inclement weather will not allow us to go to the field. Attendance is mandatory at all sessions.

Textbook: Karathanasis, A.D., R.I. Barnhisel, and W.W. Frye. 1996. Handbook for Collegiate Soils Contest - Southeastern Region. University of Kentucky. (This is a required book available from the instructor.)

Grading: Grading will be based on class attendance, participation, weekly exercises from the book, submission of weekly scorecards, and two quizzes. Class attendance is required. If students miss a class, make-up of work for that week will not be allowed unless the student informed the instructor before the absence and made arrangements for completing the work.

Points

90 Attendance (9 class periods X 10 points each)
90 Participation (9 class periods X 10 points each)
70 Exercises (7 class periods X 10 points each)
60 Scorecards (6 class periods X 10 points each)
90 Quizzes (2 quizzes X 45 points each)

400 Total Points

A = > 360 points
B = 320 - 359 points
C = 280 - 319 points
D = 240 - 279 points
F = < 239 points

Soil Judging Contest: Undergraduate students are encouraged to compete in the Southeastern Regional Soil Judging Contest. This contest will be hosted by Tennessee Tech University at Cookeville, TN during the week of October 23-27. Participation in the contest is not a requirement of this course. However, students are encouraged to participate to learn about soils in another state. (Note: The American Society of Agronomy requires that all soil judging team members be members of the local agronomy club. The local club at WVU is the Plant and Soil Science Club.)

Social Justice Statement: West Virginia University is committed to social justice. I concur with that commitment and expect to foster a nurturing, learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Our University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color or national origin. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration. If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please advise me and make appropriate arrangements with Disability Services (293-6700).