Soil Science and Engineering (4 cr)

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
- 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

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

Location and time

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

Exam schedules

Final exam in November 2018. Retake exams will be agreed separately and held in the beginning of 2019.

Evaluation methods and criteria

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. All the assignments need to be passed, as well as 100% attendance to lab exercises required. The emphasis is as follows:
• Soil Organisms 30 % (grade given according to separate criteria)
• Soil Properties 30 % (grade given according to separate criteria)
• Geotechnology 20 % (two short tests in Tabula: 40 % right to pass)
• Exam (50 % passing limit) – 20 %

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Contact lessons, field and laboratory experiments, demonstrations, exercises, calculations

Learning materials

Coleman, David C. ; Crossley, D. A. ; Hendrix, Paul F. 2004. Fundamentals of soil ecology Elsevier Academic Press cop. Can be found from Ebrary -e-book database.
Murphy, B. W., Hazelton, P. A 2007. Interpreting Soil Test Results: What Do All the Numbers Mean? Collingwood, VIC : CSIRO Publishing. 2007, Can be found from EbscoHost -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.

Student workload

Contact lessons and laboratory exercises 50 h
Self-study (reports, exercises, exam) 58 hours
total 108 hours

Content scheduling

The course schedule will be available in Tabula.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.