Key facts
UNE unit code: SOIL311
*You are viewing the 2024 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - On Campus
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information
Soil sustains life, however, our increasing world population places exhaustive demands on limited soil resources.
This unit equips you with an invaluable understanding of the interactions between soil, plants, nutrients, water and climate resulting in productive systems.
You will explore the principles of increasing resource use efficiency in soil systems. Through problem-based scenarios, designed to emphasise the key processes driving soil fertility, you will have opportunities to hone your critical thinking ability and demonstrate an understanding of the diverse factors affecting plant growth in agronomy settings.
Practical exercises and comprehensive theoretical knowledge will enable you to interpret soil and plant tests, diagnose plant nutritional constraints, recommend management options to improve soil productivity, and assess the claims of the myriad products available to improve soil health.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 1 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
The School of Environmental and Rural Science considers all practical/laboratory/tutorial activities as essential to student learning. Attendance and participation in all practical/laboratory/tutorial classes (sessions) is mandatory - exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- analyse and evaluate data in order to interpret soil and plant tissue tests and make recommendations to producers;
- analyse, generate and present solutions to unpredictable and often complex soil fertility problems using scientific methods and principles and demonstrate the ability to communicate this knowledge in written and verbal form; and
- critically appraise products used in agronomic situations using scientific principles demonstrating both a broad and theoretical knowledge of productive soil systems and the ability to autonomously apply this knowledge.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moodle quiz | Yes | 30% | All offerings | Broken into four parts. No. Words: 1000 |
| Oral Quiz | Yes | 30% | All offerings | 10 minute Oral Quiz |
| Practical | Yes | All offerings | The School of Environmental and Rural Science considers all practical/laboratory/tutorial activities as essential to student learning. Attendance and participation in all practical/laboratory/tutorial classes (sessions) is mandatory - exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence. | |
| Scientific Report | Yes | 40% | All offerings | No. Words: 2000 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library — purchase is optional.
Lecture Notes for Soil and Nutrient Cycles
School of Environmental and Rural Science
Text refers to: All offerings
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