Date

Professor

Topic & Reference Material

1/23

Both

Overview of course

Use of Web tools/Class introductions

1/25

PG

"A half hour in a tiny world"

1/28

DA

Soil as a habitat

1/30

Soil quality

Introduction to case studies

2/1

PG

Introduction to Soil Organisms

1. The three kingdoms of microorganisms

2/4

PG

2. The study of microorganisms

3. Microbial cell structure

2/6

PG

4. Metabolic processes in microorganisms

2/8

PG

5. Important groups of microorganisms

2/11

Both

Outlining a research proposal/Jenni Swenson

2/13

DA

Case study 1: biological indicators of soil quality

2/15

PG

6. Macroorganisms

2/18

PG

7. Microbial ecology and microbial community structure

2/20

PG

Discussion topic: Earthworms in Minnesota

Quiz 1

2/22

DA

Carbon Cycling

1. Global carbon cycling

Research Proposal Topic Due

2/25

DA

2. Plant roots and residues

2/27

DA

3. Decomposition

3/1

DA

4. Soil organic matter

Quiz 2

3/4

DA

Case study 2: C sequestration

3/6

PG

Nitrogen and Sulfur Cycling

1. Global N and S cycle

3/8

PG

2. N and S cycles in soil

3/11

PG

3. Nodulation and infection, Specificity

3/13

PG

4. Factors affecting nodulation and N fixation

3/15

PG

5. Inoculation

Quiz 3

Literature Review Due

---- Spring Break ----
3/18 - 3/22

3/25

PG

Case study 3: Developing an inoculation program for Ecuador

3/27

Both

Panel on applications of soil biology and fertility

3/29

DA

Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management

1. Nutrient uptake

4/1

DA

2. Mineral nutrients

4/3

Both

Session on proposal methods

4/5

DA

3. Fertilizers/fertilization

4/8

DA

4. Soil amendments (manure, sludge, compost)

4/10

Both

Proposal work session Experimental Approach Outline Due

4/12

DA

5. Cropping systems

Quiz 4

4/15

DA

Case study 4: Manure management and phosphorus index

4/17

PG

Response to Environmental Stress

1. pH and soil acidity

Web Site Evaluation due

4/19

PG

2. Heavy metal pollution

4/22

DA

3. Response to phosphorus stress

Quiz 5

4/24

DA

Case study 5: Phytoremediation of heavy metals

4/26

PG

Applications of Soil Microbiology

1. Mycorrhizae

4/29

PG

2. Rhizosphere

5/1

PG

3. Biocontrol

5/3

PG

4. Types of pollution and factors affecting it

5/6

PG

5. Pollution and bioremediation

Quiz 6

5/8

PG

Case study 6: GE and Hudson River

5/10

Both

Class evaluation/Pizza

Final Exam handout

Final Proposal Due