Soils 100 - Soil Judging

  • Instructor: Dr. Patrick Drohan
  • Credits: 1 (3 credits may be accumulated)
  • Semesters Offered: Fall and Spring
  • Texts: none
  • Prerequisite: An interest in being outdoors and describing soils in their natural environment.
  • Course Page: Link to URL.
  • Syllabus: Link to syllabus.

Course Description

This course is a 6-week field- course offered every fall and spring that provides students with the opportunity to learn how to make soil morphological descriptions and interpretations, evaluate soil properties and their suitability for different land uses while observing various soils throughout the region. The course focuses on techniques used to describe soil morphology and site characteristics, classify soils, and make land use interpretations. The field skills taught are applicable to those pursuing careers in fields of environmental studies, engineering, waste disposal, horticulture, landscape architecture, agricultural, forestry, consulting, and by those describing soils for research. Students also have the opportunity to try out for the Penn State Undergraduate Collegiate Soil Judging Team each fall.

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