University of Liege | Version française
Study programmes 2012-2013Last update : 18/06/2013
GEOP0002-1  Pedology

Duration :  42h Th, 6h FT
Number of credits :  
Bachelor in bioengineering, 3rd year4
One-year preliminary programme leading to the Master in Bioengineering4
Required preliminary complements to Advanced Master in Plant and Animal Resource Management in tropical environment4
Lecturer :  Laurent Bock
Language(s) of instruction :  
French language
Organisation and examination :  
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Course contents :  
Soil as an environmental factor - general concepts introducing the profile definition.
The notion of parental material in comparison with forms and formations-supports (origin, nature, deposition).
Elements of identification :
- criteria of differenciation and horizon symbols;
- presentation of the Belgian soil map;
- main soil types of the world.
Field identification (2x 1/2 day early in the programme).
Solid components :
- mineral (granulometry, composition);
- organic - living and dead (morphology, determination, evolution).
Particles organization or (micro) structure
(genesis, morphology, porous resultant, sensitivity, appropriated characterizations).
Liquid and gaseous phases :
- water in the soil (characteristics, behaviour, incidences);
- soil air, oxydo-reduction potential and soil temperature.
Colloïdal properties and soil solution.
Acidity and alkalinity.
(Bio)availability in (micro)nutrients.
Outline for soil fertility assessment.
Learning outcomes of the course :  
To portray soil as an organized, living and dynamic system (soil as a reactor); the comprehension of which (or pedological synthesis) being essential for all uses aiming at sustainability, reversibility and respect for the environment.
After completing the course the student is expected to
- grasp the causes-effects relationships between soil compounds, properties and behaviours
- draw the main criteria of the pedological diagnosis,
- deduce the main practical incidences for soil management,
- descrypt/encrypt soil profiles and soil types according to horizon codification and the legend of the Belgian soil map,
- treat of main world soil types in a structured way.
Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :  
GEOP0001-A-a - Earth sciences
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :  
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :  
Lectures : 42h
Field-study trip and visits : 6h
Recommended or required readings :  
Nyle C. Brady & Ray R. Weil (2007), The nature and properties of soils, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 14th edition. Duchaufour Ph. (1997), Abrégé de pédologie, Masson, Paris, 291 p. Soltner D. (2005), Les bases de la production végétale, tome 1 : le sol et son amélioration, 24th edition.
Assessment methods and criteria :  
Oral examination (100%)
Work placement(s) :  
Organizational remarks :  
Contacts :  
Bock, Laurent (Professeur) Unit "Soil - Water Systems" Department of Sciences and Technologies of Environment 081 62 25 38 laurent.bock@ulg.ac.be
Liénard, Amandine (Assistante) Unit "Soil - Water Systems" Department of Sciences and Technologies of Environment 081 62 25 44 Amandine.Lienard@ulg.ac.be (laurent.bock@ulg.ac.be)


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