Duration
36h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
1. Introduction (définitions, functions, threats, issues).
2. Soil composition (mineral and organic components, soil solution, soil atmosphere, soil biodiversity).
3. Soil properties (physical, chemical and physico-chemical).
4. Soil formation and evolution (pedogenetic factors and soil forming processes).
5. Notion of soil classification and cartography.
7. Elements of operational pedology (land evaluation ; soil description ; sampling and analysis methodology ; interpreting soil test results ; urban soil characterization and functions ; soil consideration in impact assessment ; policy and methods for treatment of polluted soils).
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
On the basis of basic knowledge of soil at different level of perception, the objective of the course is to sensibilize students to the importance of soils within the ecosystem and to give them the essential awareness to manage them, in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. A chapter on operational pedology show concretely the interest to take into account soils in numerous topical domains. The field trips puts emphasis on an approach based on observation and soil landscape analysis.
At the end of the course, the student is expected to:
- grasp the causes-effects relationships between soil compounds, properties and behaviors ;
- deduce the main practical incidences for soil management ;
- decrypt a soil map in order to extract a given information ;
- draw a field pedological diagnosis, based on observation and earned knowledge.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Principles of chemistry, physics and biology.
Basic principles of mineralogy, petrography and geomorphology.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Lectures (ppt material) + field trip (3h).
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Classroom based teaching for lectures and field trip.
Organisational adjustments related to the current health context
Recommended or required readings
A list of up-to-date bibliographic references and interesting web sites is supplied to students.
Assessment methods and criteria
Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.
Oral exam.
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
Attendance is highly recommended for a good assimilation and comprehension of the subject (no syllabus, but slides as medium for oral explanations).
Contacts
xavier.legrain@uliege.be