Introductory Soils

Transcription

1 Western Technical College Introductory Soils Course Outcome Summary Course Information Description Career Cluster Instructional Level Total Credits 3.00 Total Hours Provides fundamental knowledge of soils. Course topics include soil formation and development, soil components, soil profile, soil classification and soil conservation. Sustainable soil management practices will be studied. Participants will experience soils concepts through the completion of hands-on activities. Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Associate Degree Courses Types of Instruction Instruction Type Lecture Lab Credits/Hours 2 CR / 36 HR 1 CR / 36 HR Course History Last Approval Date 8/27/2013 Target Population Students admitted to the Agribusiness Science Technology Program that will be completing an Associate Degree. Textbooks Management of Wisconsin Soils. 5th Edition. Walsh, Leo and Emmette E. Schulte. Publisher: Soil Department UW-Extension. SKU: Required. Soil Science and Management. 6th Edition. Copyright Plaster, Edward. Publisher: Cengage Learning. ISBN-13: Required. Core Abilities Course Outcome Summary - Page 1 of 8

2 1. Apply mathematical concepts Program Outcomes 1. Type TSA Code Select One... Summative Assessment Strategies 1.1. Case Study 1.1. learner creates a nutrient management plan 1.2. learner identifies compliance components of regulating agencies 1.3. learner develops an appropriate crop rotation plan 1.4. learner determines safe practices 1.5. learner calculates crop analysis budget 1.6. learner develops an Integrated Pest Management plan (IPM) 2. Develop an Agribusiness management plan Type TSA Summative Assessment Strategies 2.1. Case Study 2.1. learner determines available business resources 2.2. learner utilizes goal-setting strategies 2.3. learner analyzes financial statements 2.4. learner identifies business organizational structures 2.5. learner documents an emergency contingency plan 2.6. learner identifies methods of managing risk 2.7. learner defines a mission and/or vision statement 2.8. learner applies ethical and professional behavior in the agribusiness industry 3. Type TSA 3.1. learner researches market potential Course Outcome Summary - Page 2 of 8

3 3.2. learner develops a marketing plan 3.3. learner differentiates the relationship of cash and futures commodity markets 3.4. learner develops a sales presentation 3.5. learner identifies risk management strategies 4. Type TSA 4.1. learner investigates technologies in agribusiness 4.2. learner applies technology effectively 4.3. learner uses technology safely 5. Investigate opportunities in Agribusiness Type TSA 5.1. learner correlates personal strengths, weaknesses and personality traits to industry opportunities 5.2. learner interprets the impact of identified trends and topics in agribusiness 5.3. learner completes occupational survey with members of industry 5.4. learner researches career options in agribusiness 6. Type TSA 6.1. learner identifies proper attire for career 6.2. learner demonstrates effective oral and written communication 6.3. learner identifies professional organizations in agribusiness 6.4. learner adheres to ethical standards 6.5. learner applies interpersonal communication skills 6.6. learner develops a professional continuous improvement plan 6.7. learner creates an employment portfolio Course Competencies 1. Explain the soil formation and development processes Domain Cognitive Level Analyzing 1.a. Define soil. 1.b. Describe the soil formation process. 1.c. Identify five soil formation factors. 1.d. Compare how soil formation factors affect the formation of soils. 1.e. Distinguish between physical and chemical weathering. 1.f. Describe the conent and development of a soil profile. 1.g. Identify key Wisconsin soil formation regions and their geographic locations. 2. Analyze the physical properties of soils Domain Cognitive Level Analyzing Course Outcome Summary - Page 3 of 8

4 Apply mathematical concepts. 2.a. Identify the characteristics of the twelve soil texture groups in a soil triangle. 2.b. Use a soil triangle to determine soil classification. 2.c. Define soil structure. 2.d. Use the "ribbon" test to estimate soil texture by feel. 2.e. Differentiate the soil structure classes. 2.f. Determine the structure of given soil. 2.g. Determine soil compaction levels using a pentrometer. 2.h. Relate bulk and particle desnity to soil tilth. 2.i. Describe factors that influence color variations in a soil profile. 2.j. Assess how soil factors affect soil temperature. 2.k. Compare the role of common minerals found in Wisconsin soils. 3. Interpret soil maps and surveys Domain Cognitive Level Analyzing Apply mathematical concepts. Develop an Agribusiness management plan Investigate opportunities in Agribusiness 3.a. Identify sources of soil surveys and aerial soil (field) maps. 3.b. Describe the types, components and uses of soil surveys and soil (field) maps. 3.c. Interpret map symbols and soil legends. 3.d. Recognize topographical relief, including rides and valleys, on aerial soil maps. 3.e. Interpret the legal descriptions for tracts of land. 3.f. Compare the information included on aerial photo maps, soil maps, soil surveys and plat maps. 3.g. Locate fields using aerial phots, plat maps and soil surveys. 3.h. Identify soil characteristics, including soil type, slope and degree of erosion, using soil surveys and aerial soil maps. 3.i. Determine the soil series for tracts of land. 3.j. Describe the soil profile characteristics for tract of land. 3.k. Identify the components of a mature silt loam soil. 3.l. Use the soil test recommendations booklet to determine optimum crop yield potential. 4. Assess the role of organic matter and microbes in the soil Domain Cognitive Level Evaluating Course Outcome Summary - Page 4 of 8

5 4.a. Define soil organic matter. 4.b. Define humus. 4.c. Explain how sil organic matter is formed. 4.d. Identify sources of soil organic matter. 4.e. Select methods for maintaining soil organic matter. 4.f. Compare the relationship between soil organic matter and soil nutrient supplying ability. 4.g. Identify organisms found in the soil. 4.h. Explain the function of soil organisms in the decomposition process. 4.i. Describe how soil organisms affect soil structure. 4.j. Explain how temperature, soil moisture, ph, aeration and food supply affect soil microbes. 5. Assess soil water conditions Domain Cognitive Level Evaluating 5.a. Differentate among infiltraiton and percolation; adhesion and cohesion; and osmosis, diffusion and mass flow. 5.b. Describe the hydrologic cycle. 5.c. Compare the four major types of soil water. 5.d. Identify sources of soil water depletion. 5.e. Relate soil type to potential for ground water contamination. 5.f. Describe soil conditions that are conducive to artificial drainage. 5.g. Describe soil conditions that are conducive to irrigation. 5.h. Recognize the impact of cultural practices on soil. 6. Investigate a land use plan Domain Cognitive Level Analyzing Course Outcome Summary - Page 5 of 8

6 Develop an Agribusiness management plan 6.a. Describe the purposes of tillage. 6.b. Identify various tillage tools. 6.c. Describe various tillage methods. 6.d. Examine the relationship between tillage systems and soil loss and compaction. 6.e. Compare the economic advantages and disadvantages of various tillage systems. 6.f. Describe the cropping system components included in a conservation plan. 6.g. Compare crop growth responses to alternative tillage systems. 6.h. Discuss the relationship between tillage systems and soil organisms. 6.i. Describe the impact various tillage systems have on soil fertility and pest management. 6.j. Assess the differences between conventional and conservation tillage. 7. Evaluate types of wind and water erosion Domain Cognitive Level Evaluating Apply mathematical concepts. Develop an Agribusiness management plan 7.a. Define erosion. 7.b. Compare the three major types of wind erosion. 7.c. Compare splash, sheet, rill and gully water erosion. 7.d. Recognize the degrees of water erosion. 8. Determine erosion control methods Domain Cognitive Level Applying Develop an Agribusiness management plan 8.a. Describe the benefits of waterways application. 8.b. Define contour farming. 8.c. Describe how contour strips are used to control erosion. 8.d. Define terraces. 8.e. Describe how terraces are used to control erosion. 8.f. Explain the effects of grade stabilization structures on the prevention and correction of soil erosion. Course Outcome Summary - Page 6 of 8

7 9. Compare soil conservation practices for specific land areas Domain Cognitive Level Analyzing 9.a. Calculate acreage, using a map with known scale. 9.b. Determine the slope on a site using a slope instrument (e.g., a hand level, a rod and target, a string level and/or clinometer). 9.c. Determine the length of a slope, using a measuring wheel. 9.d. Determine the crop rotation for fields. 9.e. Recommend alternative tillage methods. 9.f. Demonstrate use of the Universal Soil Loss Equation to determine apporpiate conservation practices. 9.g. Recommend cropping, conservation and tillage systems that will reduce the average annual soil loss. 9.h. Determine applicable conservation practices for fields. 10. Examine the use of soil-less media and hydroponics Domain Cognitive Level Applying Status WIP Assessment Strategies Report including a comparison of soil-less media to hydroponics Presentation includes identifing needed equipment for all soil-less media and hyrdoponics Presentation of a basic hydroponics system design Performance will be satisfactory when: a written report includes a comparison soil-less media to hydroponics a comparitive written list of needed equipment for soil-less media and hydroponics a Presentation of a basic hydroponics system is presented 10.a. Compare soil-less media to hydroponics 10.b. Examine the types of equipment and components necessary for hydroponics 10.c. Design a basic hydroponic system 11. Use agribusiness information and other continuing professional educaiton sources to update introductory soil skills and knowledge Domain Cognitive Level Applying Develop an Agribusiness management plan Course Outcome Summary - Page 7 of 8

8 Investigate opportunities in Agribusiness 11.a. Identify soils and soil management skills and knowledge information and education. 11.b. Use soils and soil management skills and knowledge information and education sources. Required College Syllabus Guidelines Western's Academic Dishonesty Statement Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to: plagiarizing; cheating on tests or examinations; turning in counterfeit reports, tests, and papers; stealing tests or other academic material; knowingly falsifying academic records or documents of the institution; accessing a student s confidential academic records without authorization; disclosing confidential academic information without authorization; and turning in the same work to more than one class without informing the instructors involved. Student Expectations: Each student is expected to engage in all academic pursuits in a manner that is above reproach. Students are expected to maintain complete honesty and integrity in the academic experiences both in and out of the classroom. Any student found in violation of academic dishonesty will be subject to disciplinary action as per the guidelines of the Western Student Code of Conduct. Western's Student Withdrawal Policy Students are encouraged to contact their program adviser when withdrawing from a program. The student must drop a program or courses in which the student has chosen not to continue. In addition, students may wish to: 1. Communicate with their instructor(s) and respective division offices (if withdrawing from a program or from college). 2. Contact a college counselor to consider alternative options. If a student does process an official drop from classes: 1. The permanent record will reflect a withdrawal grade (W)*. 2. The student may or may not be eligible for future financial aid. 3. The student may receive a refund of fees paid (if within the stipulated allowable time-frame). Any reduction in fees paid will be refunded to the appropriate funding institution, as mandated by federal guidelines, or to the student. If fees have not been paid in full, a credit will be posted to the student s account. If a student does not process an official withdrawal: 1. The permanent record will reflect a failing grade (F). 2. The student may or may not be eligible for future financial aid. ADA Statement It is the policy of Western Technical College to provide reasonable accommodations (when requested) for qualified individuals with disabilities. When a student wishes to request an accommodation, it is necessary for that individual to use the Student Accommodation Request Form, which may be obtained from the Counseling Staff or Instructional Support Specialist located in the Welcome Center, 400 7th Street North, La Crosse, WI Tobacco-Free Policy Western's Tobacco-Free Policy prohibits use of all tobacco products on College premises or in College vehicles. Only exclusion is private vehicles. Course Outcome Summary - Page 8 of 8