Outline

Overview

Soil and water are the two most essential natural resources on the Earth's surface which influence all forms of terrestrial life. This unit of study is designed to introduce students to the fundamental properties and processes of soil and water that affect food security and sustain ecosystems. These properties and processes are part of the grounding principles that underpin crop and animal production, nutrient and water cycling, and environmental sustainability. You will participate in a field excursion to examine soils in a landscape to develop knowledge and understanding of soil properties, water storage, water movement and cycling of organic carbon and nutrients in relation to food production and ecosystem functioning. At the end of this unit you will be able to articulate and quantify the factors and processes that determine the composition and behaviour of soil, composition of water, soil water storage and the movement of water on the land surface. You will also be able to describe the most important properties of soil and water for food production and sustaining ecosystem functions and link this to human and climatic factors. The field excursion, report and laboratory/computer exercises have been designed to develop communication, team work and collaborative efforts.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	SOIL2005
Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	SOIL2003 or LWSC2002
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Balwant Singh, balwant.singh@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Balwant Singh, balwant.singh@sydney.edu.au
	Budiman Minasny, budiman.minasny@sydney.edu.au
	Feike Dijkstra, feike.dijkstra@sydney.edu.au
	Willem Vervoort, willem.vervoort@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Final Exam This is a closed book exam. Simple calculators only are permitted.	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Field excursion See Canvas for more details	5%	Week -01 Due date: 18 Feb 2022 at 08:45	One day
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Canvas Quiz Short question/answers and MCQs	10%	Week 06 Due date: 29 Mar 2022 at 09:00	See Canvas for more details
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Laboratory report Written assignment	20%	Week 13	See Canvas for more details
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Modelling assessment See Canvas for more details	15%	Week 13	-
Outcomes assessed:
= Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Field excursion: Soil and water samples will be collected during the excursion that will be used for various analyses during the semester.
Quiz: The quiz will be a good test of your understanding of the basic concept of the relevant topics.
Laboratory report: Various data obtained from weekly laboratory work will form part of the laboratory report and you will complete the data sheet in the class on a weekly basis after completion of each laboratory exercise. The laboratory data will be used for preparing the lab report in week 13.
Modelling assessment: The modelling assessment report will be based around the water analysis data and modelling data obtained from week 9-11 in the computer laboratory sessions. This assessment is very useful in understanding the hydrological processes and their modelling.
Final exam: The final exam is a compulsory assessment and the exam will be based on all lecture contents covered during the semester, it will also require some calculations. The final exam form at will be short answer questions and multiple-choice questions.
Final exam: This assessment is compulsory and failure to attend, attempt, or submit will result in the award of an AF grade.
If a second replacement exam is required, this exam may be delivered via an alternative assessment method, such as a viva voce (oral exam). The laternative assessment will meet the same learning outcome as the original exam. The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the unit cordinator.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts
Distinction	75 - 84	At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.
Credit	65 - 74	At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.
Pass	50 - 64	At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week -01	Soil and water sampling and description, examination of soil profiles, making field measurements	Field trip (8 hr)
Week 01	Global soil & water resources and their role in ecosystems services, and threats to these resources	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 01	1. Introduction to laboratory analyses; 2. Prepare soil samples for lab analyses; 3. Start - field soil moisture; 4. Start - bulk density	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 02	1. Origin of soils: 2. Factors of soil formation; 3. Primary and secondary soil minerals	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	1. Rocks and minerals; 2. Mineral structures; 3. Finish field soil moisture; 4. Measure soil and water pH, electrical conductivity, CEC, particle size analysis, air-dry soil moisture	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 03	Soil physical support: particle size, structure, air, water & gas in soil, density of soils	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	1. Finish - air-dry soil moisture; 2. Continue - particle size analysis; 3. Finish - bulk density	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 04	Soil stores and supplies nutrients: origin of charge in soil, ion exchange and adsorption reactions in soils	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	1. Finish - CEC and exchangeable cations; 2. Finish - particle size analysis; 3. Start - soil microbial biomass	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 05	1. Soil carbon and nutrient cycles: decomposition; soil organic matter management; 2. Biological nitrogen fixation, nutrient transformations and loss	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	1. Start - available nitrogen; 2. Available phosphorus; 3. Total carbon and nitrogen analyses	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 06	1. Soil biodiversity: types of diversity; 2. Trophic levels and foodwebs; 3. Macrofauna, mesofauna, fungi, bacteria and archaea	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	Finish - soil microbial biomass, finish - available nitrogen	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 07	Soil stores, transmit and supply water, water retention, hydraulic conductivity	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	1. Soil aggregate slaking & dispersion; 2. Complete calculations of hydraulic conductivity and soil water retention (data from the field)	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 08	Soil water balance: infiltration, runoff, evapo-transpiration	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 08	1. Complete any outstanding analysis and calculations; 2. Review all lab data	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 09	Rainfall runoff and erosion processes	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 09	Runoff and erosion and analysis of the field trip water quality data	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 10	Catchment water balance	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 10	Calculating the water balance for a typical year	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 11	Flooding and water quality	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 11	Landscape scale runoff and flooding potential	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 12	Riverine health, riparian zones, environmental flows	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 13	Sustaining soil for crop production	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 13	Lab report and group presentations	Science laboratory (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance requirements for this unit of study have been amended. Where online tutorials/workshops/virtual laboratories have been scheduled, students should make every effort to attend and participate at the scheduled time. Penalties will not be applied if technical issues, etc. prevent attendance at a specific online class. In that case, students should discuss the problem with the coordinator, and attend another session, if available.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. explain how the properties and processes of soil are important for food security and ecosystem functioning
LO2. explain water processes and functions in relation to food security and ecosystem functioning
LO3. identify and explain the importance of soil processes in the cycling of nutrients and carbon
LO4. identify and explain the relevance of hydrological processes in the cycling of plant essential and non-essential elements
LO5. have developed sampling and analytical (field and lab) skills to analyse and interpret chemical, physical and microbial soil information
LO6. have developed sampling and analytical (field and lab) skills to analyse and evaluate water quality parameters
LO7. synthesise and assess soil and water data for agricultural and environmental applications
LO8. communicate (oral and written) soil science and hydrology concepts and knowledge effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences using appropriate oral, written and visual means.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

I will consider making a staff-student committee to identify and better address any problems associated with the teaching and to improve learning-teaching outcomes of the unit in 2020.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Q-fever vaccination and completion of the Canvas module “Zoonosis Awareness” is compulsory.

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

SOIL2005: Soil and Water: Earth's Life Support Systems

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect