In this course, students learn about the chemical, physical, and biological nature of soils; the factors controlling soil development; what a soil name can tell about the environment; and, how land management decisions affect soil quality and its sustainability. Topics will include: The importance of soils, what soil is, how soil forms, how soils are described, physical properties of soils, soil water, soil chemistry, soil biology, and soil sustainability.

This course may be taken 1 time for credit.