Print Syllabus

Syllabus

MV0215 Soils of the world and sustainable water and soil management, 15.0 Credits

Världens jordmåner och hållbar vatten- och markanvändning

Subjects

Technology Soil Science Soil science Technology

Education cycle

Master’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Soils of the world	5.0	0202
Water and soil management	4.0	0203
Project and exercises	6.0	0204

Advanced study in the main field

Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Master’s level (A1N)

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to:

• 150 ECTS first-cycle courses, including

• 60 ECTS in a scientific subject such as Biology, Agricultural Science, Soil Science, Earth Sciences, Environmental Science or Technology,

• 10 ECTS Chemistry,

• 10 ECTS Biology,

• 20 ECTS Soil Science or Earth Sciences

and

• a level of English equivalent to upper-seconday-school English (Engelska 6).

Objectives

The objective is to provide the student with knowledge of the global soil resources and of methods to address soil degradation and agricultural production through soil and water management strategies. Further the course will provide deeper expertise on approaches and aids that are used for characterisation of soils, and to suggest appropriate soil and water use in the agro-ecological landscapes in national and international contexts.

On completion of the course students will be able to:

• describe the variation of soil properties in the world and how different processes, environmental conditions and human activities influence these properties,

• describe soils in the field, classify them and evaluate their properties,

• understand principal processes of soil and water degradation, and how soil and water management technologies contribute to soil health (in different agro-ecological landscapes),

• propose measures that build soil health through soil and water management practices in selected problem situations,

• critically evaluate feasibility of proposed solutions around soil and water management for sustainable land use in selected problem situations.

Content

The course is based on a combination of lectures, exercises and field excursions. Skills will be further developed through project work around selected problem situations.

The course covers the following topics:

• how natural and anthropogenic factors and processes alter soils,,

• soil formation processes, properties and use of soils in different climatic and other site conditions,

• classification of soils, including soil profile description,

• land evaluation according to international reference systems and interpretation of soil and land evaluation maps,

• water and soil management technologies and sustainable land management that can build soil health and promote agricultural production: basic principles, methods and design on drainage and diversion solutions (such as ditches and pipes), soil erosion control, water harvesting and storage, irrigation technologies, water use efficiency, methods to avoid salinization,

• project on water management and soil conservation in case study areas.

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

The following is required for a pass mark on the course:

• passed written or oral examination,

• approved reporting of exercises and assignments including project work,

• active participation in compulsory components; the latter comprise field excursions, selected exercises and group project activities.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
• For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Responsible department

Department of Soil and Environment