AGN 331, Soil Science
This is a Web-based course taught by Dr. Leon Young.
Instructor Contact Information
J. Leon Young, Ph.D.
Regents Professor of Agriculture and Director
Soil, Plant & Water Analysis Laboratory
email: lyoung@sfasu.edu
(936) 468-4544 or 4500
http://ag.sfasu.edu/facultystaff/young/index.htmCourse Description
An intensive study of the physical, biological and chemical properties of soil; including soil classification, soil fertility and fertilization practices, soil management, crop production and environmental issues.Soil Science is a web-based course designed to meet the needs of students on the main campus in Nacogdoches or a student anywhere in the U.S. Students have taken the course from Idaho and Pennsylvania and have never come to campus. Out-of-state students should contact Dr. Young via email to work out details of registration, class requirements, and laboratory expectations.
The course consists of two components:
(1.) Lecture which is completely web based.
(2.) Laboratory which is made up of web based materials, a major project, and some work in a laboratory setting. Details are provided below.
Textbook Requirements
The Nature and Properties of Soils, 14th edition by N.C. Brady and R. R. Weil.
Obtaining a copy of this text is absolutely necessary for successful completion of the course.Course Prerequisites
Completion of CHE 111 or CHE 112 or CHE 133 (freshman chemistry) or equivalent.Course Format and Participation Requirements: Lecture
Course Format and Participation Requirements: Laboratory
The Lecture portion for this course is divided into weekly units or modules. Each of these modules includes an assignment based on Textbook reading, online readings, participation using email, or discussion boards, online practice quizzes, and a weekly exam. All weekly exams and the Final Exam are online. To be successful in this course, the typical student should plan to spend at least 9-12 hours per week working on this course.
The Laboratory portion of the course will consist of:
Students who are enrolled in the course and are on the SFA campus will be expected to schedule laboratory time with the instructor and or the graduate assistants. Students who are not on campus during the week but are in driving distance of Nacogdoches will be expected to schedule a Saturday visit to campus so that necessary laboratory work can be carried out. Students who are not within a few hours driving distance of Nacogdoches will be able to make other arrangements to substitute for the laboratory analyses used in the Soil Project. If you will not be able to come to campus, contact the instructor directly to get some idea of what will be involved.
- Problem solving modules linked to some of the Lecture modules including quizzes
- Laboratory analyses of soil samples related to the Soil Project
- Soil Project in which the student collects information and data from a soil and produces a major paper
Course Assessment
Final grade is based on a percentage of total points. Accumulation of total points will be according to the following approximate schedule which includes both the Lecture and Laboratory portions of the course:
Possible
PointsActivities Weekly Lecture Assignments Lab Assignments Soil Project (Lab) Weekly Exams Final Exam (comprehensive) Total The same grade will be assigned in both the laboratory and lecture portions of the course.
Effort Expected
This is a 4-credit-hour course. You should expect to work 3 to 4 hours per week for each credit hour. To be successful in this course you should expect to spend about 12 hours a week on readings, assignments, discussions, and other activities. This estimate is for the fall and spring semesters.Technical Requirements for the Course
Other than the minimum technical requirements for any course, students will need access to a CD-ROM drive, VCR, PowerPoint software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and a digital camera or scanner so that photographs can be sent to the instructor.Before the Course Begins
Activate mySFA username, password, and email Register and pay for the course just as you would any other SFA course. As soon as you are registered, please send an email message to the instructor. F-1 Visa Holders
RESOURCE LINKS:
There are important federal regulations pertaining to distance education activity for F-1 Visa holders. All students with an F-1 Visa should follow the instructions at the following link to make sure they are in compliance.
http://www.oit.sfasu.edu/disted/facsup/f1visa.html
Prepare for an online course: Getting Started Order your textbooks online: Textbooks Log on to your course: Blackboard Logon SFA has a mandatory email policy: