Soil Science

Module Identifier: BDM2320
Module Title: Soil Science
Academic Year: 2027/2028
Semester: Distance Learning
Co-ordinator: Dr David Cutress
Reading List: View on Aspire
Other Staff: Dr Ifat Shah; Dr David Cutress

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Interactive task: 1500 Words	40%
Semester Assessment	Essay on soils for production: 2500 Words	60%
Supplementary Assessment	Soil Report: 1500 Words	40%
Supplementary Assessment	Essay on soils for production: 2500 Words	60%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Explain the current and future challenges to food supplies relating to soil health
Acquire a fundamental understanding of the properties and functions of different soil systems
Develop an understanding of the relationship between soil system properties and sustainable land management.
Evaluate the impact of soil management on production and the environment.

Brief description

This module is part of the IBERS distance learning courses. The module will teach students about the formation, attributes, and function of soils in an agricultural context, with a focus on food production and the key roles of soil management in sustainable food futures. Through a mixture of critical assignments, lectures, case studies, and research, students will gain an understanding of the complexity of soil systems and how their health can be influenced both positively and negatively by human interactions.

Soil is at the heart of almost all food production as such this module will aim to highlight how knowledge of soils can assist with achieving sustainability and security in food production systems.

Content

• Soil formation and function
• Soil classification and properties
• Life in the soil
• Soil and production
• Humans impact on soils
• Soil ecosystems and the environment
• Sustainable soil management
• Technologies and soil management

Module skills

Skills type	Skills details
Creative Problem Solving	Course content will develop an awareness of the complex inter-relationships among components of soil systems. This will enable students to identify and analyse problems. This along with an evaluation of the research literature and its applications, will provide case studies that demonstrate how applied science can be used in problem solving. Assessed in the assignments ; feedback from the assignment.
Critical and analytical thinking	Developed through a study of the scientific literature. Assessed in the assignments; reflection on, and effective use of, feedback from the assignment.
Digital capability	The assignments will require the use of internet based academic journal search engines and the retrieval of academic journal papers. The data for the assignment may need to be handled using spreadsheet software. The assignments must be prepared using word processing and spreadsheet software. Assessed in the assignment; feedback from the assignment.
Professional communication	The interactive task assignment will expect students to demonstrate good communication skills.
Subject Specific Skills	Students will develop an understanding of specific concepts and core skills relating to soil science and food production.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7