Module Details
| Module Code: |
AGRI8012 |
| Title: |
Advanced Soil Science
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Long Title:
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Advanced Soil Science
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| NFQ Level: |
Advanced |
| Valid From: |
Semester 1 - 2016/17 ( September 2016 ) |
| Field of Study: |
6210 - Agriculture
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| Module Description: |
Soil and growing media are explored in light of the pivotal role in sustainable human co-existence in relation to the agronomic, ecological and environmental impacts surrounding food, ornamental, biomass and medicinal crop land based production systems.
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| Learning Outcomes |
| On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: |
| # |
Learning Outcome Description |
| LO1 |
Discuss the interaction of soil texture, soil structure and soil ecology. |
| LO2 |
Explore sustainable management models on soil ecology. |
| LO3 |
Evaluate modified soil and soil less systems of crop production. |
| LO4 |
Critique methods of sustainable management of soils to protect environment. |
| Dependencies |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
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Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
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| No incompatible modules listed |
Co-requisite Modules
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| No Co-requisite modules listed |
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
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| No requirements listed |
| Indicative Content |
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Soil physical and chemical sustainability
Texture, structure, organic matter, flora and fauna in virgin and cultivated soils and primary particle aggregate change influences, air filled porosity, erosion, weathered soils, holistic management, water management, peatland soils management, crop fertigation, foliar feeding, compost teas, repairing damaged soils.
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Soil Ecology
Cultivatable and non-cultivatable soil microbes, beneficial micro- and macro-organism bio prospecting, introduced species risks, engineered soil ecology, parasites and pathogens of beneficial soil biology, abiotic damage to soil ecology, compaction avoidance and mitigation planning, minimal and non tillage of crop soils on soil ecology, pollution and climate change in relation to soil ecology.
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Non mineral soils and soil less systems
Peat land soil cultivation, raised and blanket bog, sphagnum, fen peat cultivation, hydroponics, sustainable nutrient filament technique techniques; reducing soil topography challenges using gravel and channel culture, comparison of hydroponic and soil systems using environmental measures.
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Soil management to protect environment
Macro and micro-nutrient cycle management, microbes role in nutrient capture, soil as a habitat to recycle industrial waste, EPA guidelines, excesses of water, Biosolids, Waste Framework Directive, waste disposal on land, permits and licenses, Bioremediation.
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Module Content & Assessment
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| Assessment Breakdown | % |
|---|
| Coursework | 100.00% |
Assessments
| No End of Module Formal Examination |
| Reassessment Requirement |
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.
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The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
| Workload: Full Time |
| Workload Type |
Contact Type |
Workload Description |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
Hours |
| Lecture |
Contact |
No Description |
Every Week |
2.00 |
2 |
| Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) |
Contact |
Industry visit or laboratory soil analysis |
Every Month |
1.00 |
4 |
| Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) |
Non Contact |
Critique of current sustainable soil system research |
Every Week |
4.00 |
4 |
| Total Hours |
10.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
3.00 |
| Workload: Part Time |
| Workload Type |
Contact Type |
Workload Description |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
Hours |
| Directed Learning |
Non Contact |
No Description |
Every Week |
2.00 |
2 |
| Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) |
Contact |
Industry Visit |
Every Month |
1.00 |
4 |
| Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) |
Non Contact |
No Description |
Every Week |
4.00 |
4 |
| Total Hours |
10.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
1.00 |
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Module Resources
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| Recommended Book Resources |
|---|
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Malcolm J. Hawkesford, Stanislav Kopriva and Luit J. De Kok. (2014), Nutrient Use Efficiency in Plants: Concepts and Approaches (Plant Ecophysiology), Springer, p.292, [ISBN: 3319106341].
| | Supplementary Book Resources |
|---|
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Nyle C. Brady and Raymond Weil. (2016), The Nature and Properties of Soils, 15th. Prentice Hall, p.912, [ISBN: 01332544].
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Ram Chandra. (2015), Advances in Biodegradation and Bioremediation of Industrial Waste, CRC Press, p.493, [ISBN: 1498700542].
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Zakaria Solaima, Lynette K. Abbott and Ajit Varma. (2015), Mycorrhizal Fungi: Use in Sustainable Agriculture and Land Restoration, Springer, p.420, [ISBN: 9783662453698].
| | Supplementary Article/Paper Resources |
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European Journal of Soil Science, [ISSN: 1365-2389].
| | Other Resources |
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Website, Journal of Soil Science and Plant
Nutrition,
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Website, Soil Science,
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