Spring
2006 Dr.
Geology
305-01 Rm. Natural Science 119C
Lecture: Tu & Th 8-9:15, Rm. 242 Ph.
227-2271
Lab: T 1-2:50
or 3:00-4:50, Rm. 247 Email:
www3.wcu.edu/~mlord/SHhome.html Office
Hrs: MTR 9:30-11
Geosciences
& NRM Dept. Office: ST349
Soils and Hydrology
Tentative
Schedule
Wk
|
Date |
|
Topic |
|
|
1 |
Jan 10, 12 |
Earth Materials |
Introduction; Overview
of Soils & Hydrology; 13th is last day to drop |
|
|
2 |
Jan 17, 19 |
Soil genesis &
Soil Properties |
|
|
|
3 |
Jan 24, 26 |
Earth Materials &
Landforms |
|
|
|
4 |
Jan 31, Feb 2 |
Soil Processes &
the Environment |
Weathering Processes
and Products; clays |
|
|
5 |
Feb 7, 9 |
Nutrient Cycling
(mostly N) Exam I, Thursday, February 9th |
|
|
|
6 |
Feb 14, 16 |
Soil Classifications;
Soil Strength, Land use |
|
|
|
7 |
Feb 21, 23 |
Soils and climate; Site
investigations |
|
|
|
8 |
Feb 28, Mar 2 |
Hydrologic Processes |
Soil water; soil
erosion March 2nd
is
last day to Withdrawal |
|
|
- |
Mar 7, 9 |
Spring Break |
- |
|
|
9 |
Mar 14, 16 |
Water Cycle, Evapotranspiration,
Precipitation, and Runoff |
|
|
|
10 |
Mar 21, 23 |
Subsurface water flow;
soil hydrology Exam I, Thursday, March 23rd (SE
GSA meeting) |
|
|
|
11 |
Mar 28, 30 |
Groundwater basics |
Winter, p.VI-VII &
1-8 |
|
|
12 |
Apr 4, 6 |
Groundwater – Surface
Water Interaction; applied hydrology |
Winter, p. 9-32 |
|
|
13 |
Apr 11, 13 |
Environmental Systems |
Regional Flow Systems Easter |
Winter, p. 9-32 |
|
14 |
Apr 18, 20 |
Mountain and Riverine
Systems; Site investigations |
Winter, p. 33-45 |
|
|
- |
Apr 25, 27 |
Reading Day-No Classes, April 25th Environmental Issues;
Review & Synthesis |
Winter, p. 54-78 |
|
|
|
May 2nd |
Tuesday, 12–2:30 *** FINAL EXAM–CUMULATIVE *** |
||
About the course:
The
goal of this course is to provide an overview of soils and hydrology. Specific topics we will investigate include
soil properties and classification, soil strength properties and site
characterization, soil biogeochemical properties and processes, water cycle,
and the hydrology of soils, runoff, and groundwater. In each of these topics, environmental and
land use considerations will be addressed.
As much as possible, we will take a systems (i.e. integrated) approach
to the study of soils and hydrology.
This approach necessitates a high level of understanding of the topics
we investigate.
Class
and laboratory assignments will play an integral role in your success in this
course. The assignments will offer you
the opportunity to become an active investigator in our field of study as well
as let you master basic skills. All work submitted for this course must meet
minimum college-level requirements with respect to writing, clarity, and
completeness. Work submitted that does
not meet minimum expectations will not be accepted for evaluation; work that is
not accepted may be corrected and resubmitted with a "late" penalty
of 20 % per day. All late work, without
an approved excuse, will receive a "late" penalty of 20 % per day.
Unless specified otherwise, all out-of-class written assignments must be
word-processed (i.e. typed), 12 point font, double-spaced, and have one inch
margins. All references used must be
cited in a standard reference format.
Grading
15
% Exam I
20
% Exam II
25
% Final Exam (cumulative)
40
% Laboratory assignments, class
assignments, quizzes, class participation and preparedness
Course
grades are based on a 10 point scale (i.e. 70-79=C, 80-89=B, etc.); plusses and
minuses will be used in assigning final course grades.
Texts
Elements of the Nature and Properties of
Soils, 2nd edition, by Brady and Weil. (from Bookstore)
Ground Water and Surface Water: A Single
Resource by Winter,
I expect you to attend all classes unless
you have an excused absence, although I will not directly count attendance in
your grade. This course is being taught
for you—not for me. Your presence, your
preparedness, and your participation in all classes are critical to your
success in the course as well as the success of the class. Furthermore, there
will be some in-class exercises and quizzes—there will be no make-up for these
types of assignments.
Cell Phones: I realize that for
many the people the cell phone is a spiritual and physical extension of their
body. Unfortunately, this link must be
painfully severed during our class and lab time (even when outside). Cell phones are to be stowed and off when in
this course.
Lab is a critical
part of this course and will include a wide variety of types of
experiences. More about our lab will be
discussed in the first lab meeting. A
tentative lab schedule is listed on the next page.
Expectations and Study
Suggestions
I have high expectations for each of
you. I expect you to attend all classes
and I expect your active participation in class--by listening, thinking, asking
questions, and relating ideas and topics we discuss to other courses and your
past experiences. The primary purpose of
lecture is not to provide you with a "good set of notes" ready for
publication. Contribute and engage
yourself in the course--the quality of your experience in the course and the
quality of the class depend on it.
I expect you to dedicate at least 6-12
hours per week to our class outside of scheduled class meetings—whether or not
there is an exam or assignment pending.
I do not expect you to do well in this course without this work effort.
With respect to studying for this
course. . . First the obvious--do all assignments, come to all classes and
labs, read your text before coming to class, and study regularly rather than
just prior to exams. Reread (or
better--rewrite) your class notes and add your own notes from the text. Consider setting up study times with others
to review and quiz each other.
Important--see me when you have difficulty. It is best to try to see me during my office
hours, but you are welcome to try to catch me anytime—I am around a lot. Also, email is a great resource for certain
types of questions. I am anxious to get
to know each of you past our time in class and work with you to improve your
understanding and experience in the course.