Welcome to Introduction to Soil Science

AGPS 241; CRN 74297

Welcome and Special Announcements

I am glad you are interested and ready to start the Introduction to Soil Science Class!  Class begins on August 17^th. 

This is a blended class with online lectures and face to face labs. The size of the class has been reduced to allow for small lab groups to be conducted safely at the Plant Science Facility on the Paso Robles Campus.  Face to Face labs will be conducted on Tuesday or Thursday mornings from 10 to 11:50 am.  Students will need to attend lab on the same day each week.  Labs have a capacity of 12 students.  I will have a sign-up sheet as we get closer to the start of the semester so that you can pick your lab day.  The other lab for the week will be 2 hours per week of preparation for the in-person lab.

Instructor Information

My name is Dean Harrell and welcome to the dynamic world of soil science!  I tell my students if you want to learn more … dig a hole!  This letter is to inform you of some of the important details prior to the start of this Fall 2020 class.

Instructor: Dean Harrell
Email: dean_harrell@cuesta.edu 

The best and fastest way to contact me is email.  I will generally respond to your emails within 24 hours during weekdays only.  During busy times of the semester, the response time may increase to 48 hours.  On weekends, I will do my best to get back to you ASAP but I cannot guarantee an expeditious response. 

Course Content

In this course, you will study the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils.  These properties will be evaluated in the context of sustainability, true economic cost, and natural resource preservation.  It will explore the different types of soils in San Luis Obispo County, and the abundant variety of crops grown in this area.  Local soils will be classified with respect to parent material and method of formation.  Soil biology and soil organic matter will be studied.  Plant growth, essential plant nutrients and water movement will be examined.  You will become familiar with concepts and current thinking in soil science.  You will have the opportunity to analyze and apply these ideas to crops growing outdoors and in greenhouses.  These concepts will be applied to possible management strategies to improve soil health.  Expect your curiosity and understanding to grow through field trips, laboratory studies, and guest speakers!

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this class, the student should be able to:

1. Develop a knowledge and appreciation of our soils as a natural resource that must be managed and preserved.
2. Assess the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils.
3. Understand why soils are reservoirs for nutrients, water, and microscopic life.

4. Differentiate between soil types in order to effectively manage their physical, chemical and biological properties to ensure sustained productivity

Student Information

Please be prepared to spend 6 - 9 hours per week on coursework for this class. Are you wondering how successful you may be at a distance education course? Take the Self-Assessment Survey at 

.Links to an external site.https://www.cuesta.edu/academics/distance/survey.htmlLinks to an external site.

This course is taught using Canvas and Connect.  These are Web-based tools used to facilitate teaching an online class. These platforms provide the framework for the AGPS 241 class including PowerPoint presentations, student data files, the tools to receive and send course materials, and a grade book. On Canvas you can communicate with other students, and share materials and ideas with other course participants via the discussion forum.

Canvas

Canvas is the online learning platform used by Cuesta College and is the central location for all course activity. You can find all you need to know about our course through Canvas. You will find the course syllabus, announcements from your instructor, handouts, and your updated grades. Classwork will be submitted online to facilitate grading and give student feedback.  Canvas will be open on the 17^th of August.  Please go to Canvas the first day of class (Monday, 8/17).

Textbook

The Cuesta College bookstore sells new and used copies of the required textbook and the Western Fertilizer Handbook. 

Required:

1. Weil, Brady: The Nature and Properties of Soils; 15^th edition (2017); Publisher:  ISBN-13:978-0-13-325448-8.
2. Dedicated notebook for lab and greenhouse studies.

Optional:

1. Western Plant Health Association: Western Fertilizer Handbook: Revised 2010: Publisher: Waveland Press, Inc.  ISBN-13:978-0813432106.
2. Ingham, Elaine R., Moldenke, Andrew R., and Clive A. Edwards. Soil Biology Primer; Publisher:  Soil and Water Conservation Society; Revised 2000.

Computer Requirements

The browser requirements and minimum qualifications required for this class are detailed in:

http//www.cuesta.edu/student/aboutacad/distance/faqs_technical.htmlLinks to an external site.

• Web Browser:Microsoft Explorer 6.0 or Mozilla Firefox 5.6 or higher
• Computer specs:1 GHz or equivalent computer and a minimum of 512 MB of system RAM (memory) running Windows XP or better. Speakers, Sound Card, Reliable DSL or Cable (not dial-up modem) Internet Connection.

 Software:

• Microsoft Word 2007 or higher.
• Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Word (or the entire Office 2010/2013 Professional Suite) is available free to students.

 https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/products/officeLinks to an external site.

• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Adobe Flash Player.

Accessing Canvas

Prior to the Monday classes start [Enter course start Date], you will receive an email to your my.Cuesta.edu address providing you with a reminder that class will be starting and log in procedures for Canvas, the learning management system (LMS) used to deliver course content. You can access Canvas by logging into MyCuesta, then clicking on the Resources Tab, then clicking on Canvas in the Online Learning Channel, or by typing the Canvas address (https://cuesta.instructure.com/) into your browser address bar. Do not bookmark / favorite the canvas site after your login, or you will get an error message next time you try to log in. You must access the canvas log in directly.

If you are not familiar with logging into canvas, please refer to the Canvas Quick Reference Guide.Links to an external site. Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the direction on the course home page.  

If you are having difficulty logging into Canvas after [Enter Date] and need assistance please email me or technical support at this email address: support@instructure.com

• You will NOT be able to access Canvas until August 17^th.Once you locate the site, please bookmark it or add it to your favorites for future reference.

Technical Support: 

https://www.cuesta.edu/academics/distance/fac_de_resources/Student_Videos.htmlLinks to an external site.

College Policies

1. Adding Dropping classes

Each student is required to follow all school guidelines and comply with all school deadlines including personal responsibility for adding and/or dropping this class.

• Add Policy:

https://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/admrreg/arpolicies/addcourse.htmlLinks to an external site.

• Drop Dates are available on Academic calendar:

https://www.cuesta.edu/about/documents/vpaa-docs/Academic_Calendar_2020-2021_BOT_Approval_04102019.pdfLinks to an external site.

• Drop Policy:

https://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/admrreg/arpolicies/dropcourse.htmlLinks to an external site.

2. Updates and Changes to Syllabus.

Each student is responsible for obtaining updates or changes to the syllabus and/or assignments for the course

3. Waitlist Policy

https://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/admrreg/arpolicies/Waitlist.htmlLinks to an external site.

4. Academic Honesty

https://www.cuesta.edu/about/documents/vpss-docs/StudentConducttrifold-brochure_2017.pdfLinks to an external site.

Academic honesty is essential to creating a learning environment.  Students who cheat, plagiarize or commit any other act of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary procedures.  Indicate your sources of information for writing assignments.  Below are some examples of academically dishonest behavior:

• Copying from another student’s exam.
• Sharing answers for an exam with another student.
• Submitting another student’s work as your own on an individual assignment.
• Knowingly allowing another student to copy your work.
• Plagiarizing other people’s thoughts, words or speeches by not acknowledging them.

 At the discretion of the instructor, students caught being academically dishonest may receive a failing grade on the assignments in question, be dropped from the class, or be failed in the course. Additionally, the student may be subject to disciplinary action as determined by the Vice President of Student Services or designee.

Student Assistance

Student services at the north county campus is available from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday and can be reached at 805-591-6225.  Current information for all services available to students:

https://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/index.htmlLinks to an external site.

If you have a disability and might need accommodations (support services) in this class, please contact Disabled Student Services as soon as possible go ensure that you receive accommodations in a timely manner.

 https://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/dsps/index.htmlLinks to an external site.

Other available services include:

• Library.
• Veterans.
• Counseling.

• Student Success Centers (Tutoring)

https://www.cuesta.edu/student/resources/ssc/techHelp.htmlLinks to an external site. 

If you have any further questions prior to the first day of class, please feel free to email me at dean_harrell@cuesta.edu. Otherwise, I look forward to getting to know you during the course of the semester.

Thank you,

Dean Harrell