NRES 201

Introductory Soils
Fall 2014
Lecturers

Laboratory Instructors

Professor R. L. Mulvaney
Office: S-220 Turner Hall
Office hours: MWF 9-10
Phone: 333-9467
e-mail: mulvaney@illinois.edu

Dr. Saeed Khan

Office: S-215 Turner Hall
Office hours: T 10-12
Phone: none
e-mail: s-ahmad1@illinois.edu

Dr. Saeed Khan

Office: S-215 Turner Hall
Office hours: T 10-12
Phone: none
e-mail: s-ahmad1@illinois.edu

Austin Happel
Office: W-509 Turner Hall
Office Hours: T 10-12
Phone: none
e-mail: happel2@illinois.edu
Neal Mitchell
Office: W-519 Turner Hall
Office hours: T 10-12
Phone: none
e-mail: mitche16@illinois.edu
Ron Salemme
Office: C-411 Turner Hall
Office hours: T 10-12
Phone: none
e-mail: salmmjr2@illinois.edu

Class web site and grades: https://compass2g.illinois.edu

Text: Elements of the Nature and Properties of Soils, 3rd edn. (2010). Prentice Hall.
ISBN 978-0-13-501433-2. By N. C. Brady and R. R. Weil.

Fall 2014 Lecture Schedule

Period(s)
Date(s)
1
Aug. 25
2-3
Aug. 27-29
Sep. 1
4-6
Sep. 3-8
7
Sep. 10
8-9
Sep. 12-15
10-11
Sep. 17-19
12-13
Sep. 22-24
14
Sep 26
15
Sep. 29
16-17
Oct. 1-3
18-19
Oct. 6-8
20- 21
Oct. 10-13
22-24
Oct. 15-20
25-27
Oct. 22-27
28
Oct. 29
29-31
Oct. 31-Nov. 5
32-34
Nov. 7-12
35-37
Nov. 14-19
38
Nov. 21
Nov. 24-28
39
Dec.1
40
Dec. 3
41-43
Dec. 5-10
__________
Dec. 17 (Friday.)

Topic
Introduction
Soils & Soil Properties
Labor Day (no class)
Soil Formation
The Soil Profile
Soil Classification
Soil Survey & Land Use
Soil Physical Properties
Exam 1
Soil Organic Matter
Soil Water
The Hydrologic Cycle
Soil Management & Erosion
Soil Aeration & Temperature
Colloidal Properties
Exam 2
Soil Acidity, Alkalinity, & Salinity
Soil Organisms & Ecology
Biotic Cycling of Nitrogen &Sulfur
Phosphorus
Thanksgiving Break
Potassium
Micronutrients
Practical Nutrient Management
Final Exam (8-11 am)

Reading
Chap. 1
Chap. 1 & 4
Chap. 2
Chap. 2
Chap. 3
Chap. 3
Chap. 4
Chap. 11
Chap. 5
Chap. 6
Chap. 14
Chap. 7
Chap. 8
__________

Chap. 9
Chap. 10
Chap. 12
Chap. 12
Chap. 12
Chap. 12
Chap. 13
__________

Lecture Section AL1: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11:00 11:50 A.M. (W-109 Turner Hall)
Lecturers: Dr. Richard Mulvaney and Dr. Saeed Khan

Fall 2014 Laboratory Schedule

Week of
Aug. 25
Sep. 1
Sep. 8
Sep. 15
Sep. 22
Sep. 29
Oct. 6
Oct. 13
Oct. 20
Oct. 27
Nov. 3
Nov. 10
Nov. 17

Topic

Points

No laboratories all week

No laboratories all week
Soil color, structure, & texture; horizons & core description
Soil profile description in the field (South Farm field trip)
Use of soil survey maps; soil erosion
Aggregate stability
Soil texture (by hydrometer); bulk & particle densities
Soil water
Cation exchange capacity
Soil pH and lime recommendations
Biological activity in soils
Soil-based nitrogen management
Lab practical exam

15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
60

Lab sections (M-5 Turner Hall):

Section AB1.
Section AB2.
Section AB3.
Section AB4.
Section AB5.

Thursday 8:00 A.M. 10:50 A.M.

Thursday 11:00 A.M. 1:50 P.M.
Friday 8:00 A.M. 10:50 A.M.
Friday 12:00 P.M. 2:50 P.M.
Friday 3:00 P.M. 5:50 P.M

Instructor
Dr. Saeed Khan
Austin Happel
Neal Mitchell
Neal Mitchel
Ron Salemme

Grades and Grading

Quizzes (12 @20 pts; drop lowest--count 11)
Problem sets (3@30 pts)
Hour exams (2@120 pts)
Laboratory grade
Final exam
Total
Bonus points

Points
220
90
240
210
240
1000
30

Fine print:
A quiz will be given each Friday, except Sep. 26 and Oct. 29.
No makeup quizzes except for excused absences prior to quiz.
Problem sets are due at the beginning of lecture.
Late problem sets lose 2pts/day.
Quizzes and exams are closed book.
Laboratory grade is for write-ups, quizzes, and lab practical exam.
Final exam is comprehensive.
Bonus points are for unannounced questions during lecture.

A+
A
A
B+
B
B
C+
C
C
D+
D
D
F

980
920-979
900-919
880-899
820-879
800-819
780-799
720-779
700-719
680-699
620-679
600-619
< 600