Current University Courses
PLSC 305: Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition (2018- Present)
Taught every other spring (2025 next offering) Practical application of the basic principles of soil chemistry, physics and microbiology to modern land use programs. Covers basic principles of nutrient management (availability and cycling in soils, roles in plant nutrition), soil acidity and liming, and soil testing. Allowed Units: 3 Grading Basis: Student Option PREREQ: CHEM 102 or CHEM 104 and PLSC 204. |
Past University Courses
Introductory Soils Labs
Graduate students teaching introductory soils labs is like a rite of passage. At both Virgina Tech and the University of Kentucky I taught many lab sections over several years. This course includes a mix of basic teaching for:
- Basic soils concepts in chemistry, biology, geology, and physics
- Laboratory methods, including soil pH, nutrient extractions, and moisture content.
- Field methods: soil horizonation, water infiltration, and bulk density are all tasks that are better performed in field settings.
- Grading tests, quizzes, and homework write ups.
Soil Judging
Soil judging is probably better described as soil evaluation. Students in this course learn to describe and evaluate the human/environmental uses of soils in their region.
Then they have to compete regionally and nationally with other university students in a region they may not be familiar with. |
Soil Genesis, Formation, Taxonomy
I have worked with the lab portion of this course at both Virginia Tech and the University of Kentucky. This course involves teaching students about the factors that affect soil formation in the landscape, and how to describe and recognize various soil types.
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