Soil Classification and Mapping

    EXERM 4297 is offered this spring:

Intro­duc­tion to clas­si­fi­ca­tion and map­ping of soils with empha­sis on soil-form­ing process­es; prin­ci­ples of the Cana­di­an sys­tem of soil clas­si­fi­ca­tion; soil pro­files, diag­nos­tic fea­tures, soil-form­ing fac­tors and process­es; kinds and dis­tri­b­u­tion of soils in Cana­da; soil sur­vey pro­ce­dures, and uti­liza­tion of exist­ing spa­tial infor­ma­tion to sup­port soil map­ping at a detailed scale. This course includes a manda­to­ry field trip to col­lect data for map­ping exer­cis­es. Pri­or knowl­edge of soil sci­ence is recommended.

Course at a glance
What you will learn

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

  • Identify common landforms and parent materials associated with soils in Alberta.
  • Describe soil profiles, including hand texturing and classification of soil structure.
  • Recognize soils of 10 soil orders using the Canadian System of Soil Classification.
  • Relate soil forming factors, soil forming processes and functions, and their roles in the genesis of these soils.
  • Describe soil drainage classes and soil moisture regimes.
  • Understand soil survey procedures through: interpretation of various types of imagery; pre-field soil mapping; soil survey exercise in the field; and finalizing soil map and the legend.

Offered:

Take note:
  • Pre-course materials are available on eClass prior to the course start date. Prior to the first day of class, students must review a series of videos and complete a pre-course assignment provided on eClass; advanced registration is advised.
  • While there are no prerequisites for this course, prior knowledge of soil science is recommended for student success.
  • This course includes in-class, computer-based activities. 
  • Course assessment includes post-course work, as well as assignments outside of class times; in-class final exam will also be included.
  • Mandatory fieldwork: students are required to bring their own Personal Protective Equipment. Long pants and good grip boots with good ankle support are essential; rubber boots are useful but not necessary. Wear weather-appropriate clothing, sun block, work gloves, and high-visibility clothing (safety vest, reflective stripes, or blaze orange/yellow outer layer). Students are responsible for their transportation to the fieldwork sites.
Overall Schedule
May 4 — pre-class information opens

Students in this course section may have pre-class readings or assessments to complete.

Lecture/Class Schedule
May 11May 15
Mondays

8:00 am – 5:00 pm MT

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

Thursdays

8:00 am – 5:00 pm MT

Fridays

8:00 am – 5:00 pm MT

Saturdays

8:00 am – 5:00 pm MT

Sundays

8:00 am – 5:00 pm MT

May 28 — post-class component closes

Students in this section may have post-class readings or assessments to complete.

Syn­chro­nous online learning, eClass

39 hours of instruction

In synchronous online courses, students move through the course material at the same pace as their peers. These courses also provide learners with pre-scheduled online lectures that have the instructor and students interacting at the same time. All components of this type of course are accessible through eClass, the University of Alberta’s eLearning management tool. for­mat details

Konstantin Dlusskiy

Your Instructor

Konstantin DlusskiyID: konstantin-dlusskiy

Class info
This course has no prerequisites

Students from all educational backgrounds welcome. You can register for this course without applying and enrolling in a program.

Take note:

  • Pre-course materials are available on eClass prior to the course start date. Prior to the first day of class, students must review a series of videos and complete a pre-course assignment provided on eClass; advanced registration is advised.
  • While there are no prerequisites for this course, prior knowledge of soil science is recommended for student success.
  • This course includes in-class, computer-based activities. 
  • Course assessment includes post-course work, as well as assignments outside of class times; in-class final exam will also be included.
  • Mandatory fieldwork: students are required to bring their own Personal Protective Equipment. Long pants and good grip boots with good ankle support are essential; rubber boots are useful but not necessary. Wear weather-appropriate clothing, sun block, work gloves, and high-visibility clothing (safety vest, reflective stripes, or blaze orange/yellow outer layer). Students are responsible for their transportation to the fieldwork sites.
Currently counts towards:

Applicants intending to enrol in a program are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to lock in their course requirements since they are prone to change.

*If you are already enroled in this program, please refer to your specific program requirements as outlined at the time of your admission: Bear Tracks > Academic Advisement.

Looking for
different course dates?

New course schedules are released each June and November.

EXERM 4297 is offered this spring: