C o u r s e I n f o r m a t i o n
S p r i n g 2 0 0 2
Time and Location
Lectures: MWF
Time: 09:35am-10:25am
Location: 375 Borlaug Hall
Outline
Soil 5611 and Soil 3612 are co-taught. Each introduces the student to
the range of organisms found in the soil, and to the soil traits that
influence their numbers and diversity. They examine the role of soil fertility,
soil quality and human activities on the processes essential to life in
the soil, and in contrast the role of soil organisms in the different
processes essential to productive ecosystems. Emphasis is given to the
role of humans in the global cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur, and
the roles microbes play in these different cycles, particularly in nitrogen
fixation, nutrient-use efficiency and biological control. The courses
are Web-based but make extensive use of discussion sessions, background
reading, evaluation of scientific literature, and project development.
They emphasize principals rather than rote learning, and gives a broad
microbial, ecological and international perspective.
The courses differ in assignments, and in the level of support afforded the student in working his/her way through problems.
