Soil Science and Engineering (4 op)

Osaamistavoitteet (Opintojakso)

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
- can take and manage soil samples for further analysis
- knows the basic pre-treatment and physico-chemical analysis methods of soils and can use them in practise
- knows the phenomenon of water flow in soils, groundwater formation and the practical applications related
- knows the basics of geotechnology, soil management and soil pollution

Sisältö (Opintojakso)

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

Tenttien ja uusintatenttien ajankohdat

Exam will be arranged on week 50 according to the schedule.

Arviointimenetelmät ja arvioinnin perusteet

The evaluation of the course is based on continuous evaluation: Learning outcomes that are based on the knowledge and skills achieved with the course assignments, exercises, reports based on them and exam. Grading (1-5) is based on emphasized average from the grades of different assignments. The emphasis is as follows:
• Soil Organisms 30 % (grade given according to separate criteria)
• Soil Properties 30 % (grade given according to separate criteria)
• Exam (50 % passing limit) – 40 %

Opiskelumuodot ja opetusmenetelmät

Contact lessons, pre-tasks, discussions, literature reviews, laboratory exercises, exam etc.

Oppimateriaalit

Jhonson, C. 2009. Biology in Soil Science. Global Media. Can be found from Ebrary -e-book database.

Reddy, R.N. 2010. Soil Engineering. Design, testing and remediation. Global Media.
Can be found from Ebrary -e-book database.

Terzaghi, Karl; Peck, Ralph B.; Mesri, Gholamreza. 1996. Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice (3rd Ed)1996 John Wiley & Sons.
Can be found from Knovel E-book database

Handouts and e-material given during the course.

Opiskelijan ajankäyttö ja kuormitus

Time use and work forms
Contact lessons, field and laboratory experiments, demonstrations, exercises, calculations
Contact lessons and laboratory exercises 45 h
Self-study (reports, exercises, exam) 65 hours
total 110 hours

Sisällön jaksotus

Schedule for period 1 (Possible changes will be informed in Tabula forums or via email)
Week Date and time Soil Science and Engineering Reports and pretasks
35
28.8. at 14-17 in H2-27 Introduction to Soil Science and Engineering course implementation and course details

36
2.9. at 14-17 in H2-27 Soil Organisms -lecture
Pretask: Read Paragraph: Soil Animals from Chapter 2 in Jhonson’s book: Biology in Soil Science and do the assignment instructed in Tabula
36
8.9. at 14-17 in I0-16,I0-20 Soil Organisms – exercises start
Pretask: Read through the exercise instructions and be prepared to answer questions in the beginning of the exercise
37
15.9. at 14-17 in I0-16,I0-20 Soil Organisms – exercises finish

39
25.9. at 10-16 in B3-28, 26.9. at 11-14 Geology, soil formation

40
2.10. at 10-13 in B3-28 Soil Productivity
Submit Soil Organisms –report to Ann Seppänen

40 3.10. at 11-14 in I-labs (two groups) Soil Chemistry
Pretask – read the lab instructions and be prepared to answer questions
41 10.10. at 11-14 in I-labs Peatlands
42 Intensive week/Break
43 23.10. Eeva-Liisa on a work trip – no lessons
Submit Soil Organisms report to Eeva-Liisa by Thu Oct 22nd

Soil Science and Engineering (5E00BF43)
Writing Scientific Reports in English (5E00BF83)
Preliminary schedule for period 2 (Changes will be informed in Tabula)

Week Date and time Soil Science and Engineering Reports and pretasks
44
30.10. Soil Properties - theory Submit Soil Organisms –report to Eeva-Liisa by Friday Nov 1 at latest.
45
7.11. (classroom?) Soil Properties – lab exercises start (moisture content)
Pretask: read the lab instructions and be prepared to answer questions
46
13.11. Soil Properties – lab exercises finish
47
20.11./21.11. Hydrology, movement of water, air and gases in soil Submit Soil Properties report to Ann Seppänen
48
27.11. Geotechnology
49
4.12. Soil Pollution Submit Soil Properties report to Eeva-Liisa by Thu Dec 4th
50
11.12. Exam
51 18.12. Feedback

Lisätietoja opiskelijoille

Course aims
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
- can take and manage soil samples for further analysis
- knows the basic pre-treatment and physico-chemical analysis methods of soils and can use them in practise
- knows the phenomenon of water flow in soils, groundwater formation and the practical applications related
- understands the terms of geotechnology, soil management and pollution
Course content
Basic geology and soil science, biological and pysico-chemical processes in soils, environmental impacts of soil utilization, hydrology, movement of water, air and gases in soils, basics of geotechnical engineering, soil management and pollution

Arviointikriteerit - tyydyttävä (1-2) (Ei käytössä, kts Opintojakson Arviointikriteerit ylempänä)

Achieved competence is sufficient, but narrow. Knowledge and understanding of the core concepts and phenomena of the soil formation, processes and interactions in soils. Basic skills in soil sampling, soil biota and soil quality analyses and ability to do the analyses in practise when instructed and supervised. Basic theoretical knowledge and understanding in geotechnical engineering, soil pollution and soil management.

Arviointikriteerit - hyvä (3-4) (Ei käytössä, kts Opintojakson Arviointikriteerit ylempänä)

Achieved competence is structured and applied. Fluent knowledge and understanding of the core concepts and phenomena of the soil formation, processes and interactions in soils. Sufficient skills and ability in independent soil sampling, soil biota and soil quality analyses. Fluent theoretical knowledge and understanding in geotechnical engineering, soil pollution and soil management. Motivation and interest towards the subject expressed clearly.

Arviointikriteerit - kiitettävä (5) (Ei käytössä, kts Opintojakson Arviointikriteerit ylempänä)

Achieved competence is wide, creative and developing. Fluent knowledge and understanding of the core concepts and phenomena of the soil formation, processes and interactions in soils. In addition ability to apply the knowledge in new situations. Sufficient skills and understanding in independent soil biota and soil quality analyses and making suggestions for developing and/or improving these methods. Fluent theoretical knowledge and understanding in geotechnical engineering, soil pollution and soil management and motivation and positive attitude to develop oneself in these fields.