Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

After completing this course student knows soil properties, soil formation processes, structure, function and biology of soils and their significance as a raw material reserve. Student can take and prepare soil samples for further analysis. Student knows the basic pre-treatment and physico-chemical analysis methods of soils and can apply them in practise. Student knows the phenomenon of water flow in soils, groundwater formation and related practical applications. Student also knows the basics of geotechnology, soil management and soil pollution.

Content (course unit)

Basic geology and soil science; biological and pysical processes in soils; environmental impacts of soil utilization; hydrology; movement of water; air and gases in soils; soils as construction material; basics of geoengineering.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

Student can identify and define core concepts and phenomena and different interactions in soils. Student has basic understanding in defined themes of the course.

Student has basic skills in soil sampling and analyses in practice when instructed and supervised.

Student can work in a group of course assignments, recognises the significance of the course theme in the professional field and can assess the significance of the theme from his/her viewpoint.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

Student can explain the core concepts and phenomena and different interactions in soils and connect them into practice. Student has understanding in annually defined themes of the course and can apply these into practical applications.

Student can apply the skills in soil sampling and analyses, design tests for these studies and justify his/her choices.

Student can cooperate responsibly in the course theme assignments, commit to the group activities and assess the significance of the theme broadly.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

Student can understand extensively the core concepts and phenomena and different interactions in soils and connect them into practice. Student has analytical understanding in annually defined themes of the course and can apply and develop these in practical applications.

Student has skills to compare and apply the most appropriate skills in soil sampling and analyses, design tests for these studies, justify his/her choices and suggest alternative ways of implementation.

Student can cooperate responsibly and constructively in the course theme assignments, commit to the group activities, assess the significance of the theme broadly and understands the effects of the work.

Assessment scale

0-5

Objectives (course unit)

After completing this course student knows soil properties, soil formation processes, structure, function and biology of soils and their significance as a raw material reserve. Student can take and prepare soil samples for further analysis. Student knows the basic pre-treatment and physico-chemical analysis methods of soils and can apply them in practise. Student knows the phenomenon of water flow in soils, groundwater formation and related practical applications. Student also knows the basics of geotechnology, soil management and soil pollution.

Content (course unit)

Basic geology and soil science; biological and pysical processes in soils; environmental impacts of soil utilization; hydrology; movement of water; air and gases in soils; soils as construction material; basics of geoengineering.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

Student can identify and define core concepts and phenomena and different interactions in soils. Student has basic understanding in defined themes of the course.

Student has basic skills in soil sampling and analyses in practice when instructed and supervised.

Student can work in a group of course assignments, recognises the significance of the course theme in the professional field and can assess the significance of the theme from his/her viewpoint.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

Student can explain the core concepts and phenomena and different interactions in soils and connect them into practice. Student has understanding in annually defined themes of the course and can apply these into practical applications.

Student can apply the skills in soil sampling and analyses, design tests for these studies and justify his/her choices.

Student can cooperate responsibly in the course theme assignments, commit to the group activities and assess the significance of the theme broadly.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

Student can understand extensively the core concepts and phenomena and different interactions in soils and connect them into practice. Student has analytical understanding in annually defined themes of the course and can apply and develop these in practical applications.

Student has skills to compare and apply the most appropriate skills in soil sampling and analyses, design tests for these studies, justify his/her choices and suggest alternative ways of implementation.

Student can cooperate responsibly and constructively in the course theme assignments, commit to the group activities, assess the significance of the theme broadly and understands the effects of the work.

Location and time

See the lecture times and classrooms in the Lukkari (https://lukkarit.tamk.fi/).

Exam schedules

Final exam is in the end of course and it will be made in the Moodle. The Moodle exam can be done from home. Check the Moodle page for the updated course information and the exact exam date. The soil engineering exam (Anne's part of the course) is based on two short exams in the Moodle. Check when Anne's exams become available in the Moodle.

Assessment methods and criteria

Grading is based on weighted average from the grades of different assignments. All the assignments need to be passed, as well as 100 % attendance to the lab exercises is required. The weighting of different assignment is as follows: soil organisms 30 %, soil properties 30 %, geotechnology 20 % and exam 20 %.

Geotechnology part includes two short tests in the Moodle (min. 40 % correct answers to pass the test). In order to pass the final exam, minimum of 50 % correct answers is needed.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Contact teaching, field and laboratory experiments, demonstrations, exercises, calculations.

Learning materials

Handouts and other materials distributed during the course. All materials are either open access or available via the TUNI university (https://andor.tuni.fi/):

Coleman D.C., Crossley D. A. & Hendrix Paul F. 2004. Fundamentals of soil ecology Elsevier Academic Press.
Murphy B. W. & Hazelton P. A. 2007. Interpreting Soil Test Results: What Do All the Numbers Mean? Collingwood, VIC : CSIRO Publishing.
Reddy, R.N. 2010. Soil Engineering. Design, testing and remediation. Global Media.
Terzaghi K., Peck, R.B. & Mesri, G. 1996. Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice (3rd Ed). John Wiley & Sons.

Student workload

The use of time estimates are indicative.
Contact lessons and laboratory exercises 50 h.
Self-study (reports, exercises, exam) 58 h.
Total 108 h.

Content scheduling

The course schedule will be available in the Moodle. Changes in the course schedule are possible and all changes will be informed.

Completion alternatives

Not available.

Practical training and working life cooperation

The topics discussed during the course are supported by case studies from working life, for example what, why and how ecological information is needed in different development projects.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student can identify and define core concepts and phenomena and different interactions in soils. Student hasbasic understandingin defined themes of the course.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student can explain the core concepts and phenomena and different interactions in soilsand connect them into practice. Student has understanding in themes of the course and can apply these into written report and laboratory exercises.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student can understand extensively the core concepts and phenomena and different interactions in soils and reflect their applied knowledge on written report. Report shows that student has analytical understanding in themes of the course and can apply and develop these in laboratory experiments as well as in written report.

Student has skills to compare and apply the most appropriate skills in soil sampling and analyses, design tests for these studies, justify his/her choices and suggest alternative ways of implementation.