SOIL 721 Environmental Field Instrumentation and Sampling
Semester: Fall, 2011 (odd years)
Credit hours: 2
Class time: The first eight Tuesdays of the fall semester from 12:30 to 4:15 pm (August 23 and 30, September 6, 13, 20, 27, October 4 and 11).
Location: Walster 143, but dress “field ready”.
Instructor: Dr. Tom DeSutter
Office: 214 Walster Hall
Office hours: MTWRF 8am-12pm or by appointment. I am usually around so please feel free to stop by if you have questions or concerns.
Phone: 701-231-8690
Email: thomas.desutter@ndsu.edu
Course Description
To provide an overview of the tools (manual and electronic) concepts and theories used to sample for physical, chemical, and biological parameters.
Course Objectives
The objective of this course is to provide students with hands-on training in the sampling of soils for physical, chemical, and biological parameters.
Course topics
The topics that will be covered in this course include tools and instruments to sample soils, determining soil temperature and moisture using manual and electronic methods, determination of soil electrical conductivity in the field, determination of carbon dioxide concentrations in the soil profile and determining efflux of CO2 from the soil surface, water infiltration, and the design and implementation of a field sampling study.
Grading requirements
Assignments will be handed out weekly by the instructor on topics that relate to the course material. There are 200 possible points for this course. There are no exams for this course. Students are strongly encouraged not to miss any lectures. Students having two, three, and four+ unexcused absences will automatically earn a C, D, and F, respectively, for their course grade (see instructor about research and university related absences, but don’t schedule any medical appointments during class time).
Grading Policy
- A = 90-100%
- B = 80-89.9%
- C = 70-79.9% (automatic after two unexcused absences)
- D = 60-69.9% (automatic after three unexcused absences)
- F = less than 60% (automatic after four unexcused absences)
Disabilities
Any student with disabilities, or others who need special accommodations in this class, are invited to share their concerns or requests with the instructor as soon as possible.
Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism
Work in this course must adhere to the Code of Academic Responsibility and Conduct as cited in “Rights and Responsibilities of Community: A Code of Student Conduct: http://www.ndsu.edu/academichonesty/
College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources Honor System
"On my honor I have neither given nor received
aid in completing this assignment."
All students taking any course in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources are under the Honor System. The Honor System is a system that is governed by the students and operates on the premise that most students are honest and work best when their honesty and the honesty of others, is not a question. It functions to prevent cheating as well as penalize those who are dishonest. It is the responsibility of the students to report any violations of the honor pledge to the instructor, honor commission, or the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources.
A copy of the operating procedures for the Honor Commission is on file in the Associate Dean for Academic Program's Office, 315 Morrill Hall, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105.
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/academics/honor-system-1
“Veterans and student soldiers with special circumstances or who are activated are encouraged to notify the instructor in advance.”
