SOIL SCIENCE - SSC

SSC 185Land and Life3(3-0-0) F
Land quality and the social, economic and political practices of societies utilizing different land resources. The underlying physical reasons for land quality differences and land management options for technological, primitive and developing societies. Stresses macro and micro scale societal responses to land quality.
Course Offerings: sprg


SSC 200Soil Science4(3-3-0) F,S
Preq: One semester of college chemistry
Fundamentals of soils including origin, composition and classification; their physical, chemical, and biological properties; significance of these properties to soil-plant relationships and soil management.
Course Offerings: fall sprg WolfWare Info


SSC (BAE) 323Water Management3(2-0-2) F
Preq: Junior standing
Water management principles applied to agriculture; hydrologic cycle, runoff, surface and sub-surface drainage, soil conservation measures to reduce erosion and sedimentation, irrigation, pond construction, open channel flow, water rights and environmental laws pertaining to water management. Emphasis on problem solving


SSC (BAE) 324Elementary Surveying1(0-3-0) F
Preq: Junior standing
Theory and practice of plane surveying to include measuring distances as well as record keeping differential leveling, profile leveling, topographic mapping, stadia surveying and the use of these tools in agricultural applications.


SSC 332Environmental Soil Microbiology3(2-3-0) S
Preq: BIO 181 and SSC 200
Analysis of the effects of soil environments on microbial growth. Relationships and significance of microbes to mineral transformations, plant development, and environmental quality. Management of soil microorganisms in different ecosystems.
Course Offerings: sprg


SSC 341Soil Fertility and Fertilizers3(3-0-0) F
Preq: SSC 200, BIO 125
Principles of managing plant nutrition for crop production, fertilizer materials, crop fertilization, soil fertility maintenance and management practices for optimizing fertilizer use; soil and plant tissue testing as diagnostic tools in nutrient management.
Course Offerings: fall


SSC 342Soil Fertility Laboratory1(0-3-0) F
Coreq: SSC 341
Soil sampling and analyses for acidity and nutrient content. Calculating lime and fertilizer recommendations and calibrating fertilizer spreaders. Discussion of fertilizer materials and calculation of least cost blends. Computer programs to confirm recommendations and least cost blends. Field trip to a fertilizer distributor and to a fertilizer user.
Course Offerings: fall


SSC 361Role of Soils in Environmental Management3(2-3-0) S
Preq: SSC 200
Importance of soils in land application of municipal, industrial and agricultural wastes; onsite disposal of domestic wastewater; bioremediation of contaminated sites; erosion and sedimentation control; farm nutrient management; and nonpoint sourcewater pollution.
Course Offerings: sprg WolfWare Info


SSC (BAE) 435Precision Agriculture Technology3(2-3-0) S, Alt. yrs(even)
Preq: Junior standing or Senior standing
Overview of technology available for implementation of a comprehensive precision agriculture program. Topics include computers, GPS, sensors, mechanized soil sampling, variable rate control system, yield monitors, and postharvest processing controls. Applications of precision agriculture in crop planning, tillage, planting, chemical applications, harvesting and postharvest processing. Credit may not be received for BAE/SSC 435 and BAE/SSC 535
Course Offerings: sprg WolfWare Info


SSC (BAE) (CS) 440Geographic Information Systems in Production Agriculture3(2-2-0) S
Preq: SSC 341
Fundamentals of the global positioning system, geographic information systems, and site-specific management. Geospatially located soil sampling strategies will be addressed as well as appropriate interpolation methods for point-sampled data. The course will cover variable rate fertilizer recommendation models and the technology necessary for variably applying fertilizer. Spatial measurement of crop yields.
Course Offerings: sprg


SSC 452Soil Classification4(3-4-0) S
Preq: SSC 200
Genesis, morphology, and classification of soils; characterization of soils according to their diagnostic properties; interpreting soil use potential; emphasis on North Carolina soils and their taxonomy; field exercise in soil mapping and site evaluation; several field trips, one overnight.
Course Offerings: sprg


SSC 461Soil Physical Properties and Plant Growth3(3-0-0) F
Preq: SSC 200
Soil physical properties and their influence on plant growth and environmentally sound land use; soil solid-porosity-density relationships, soil water, heat and air relations and transport. Principles and applications of these topics using current literature in agronomy, turf, horticulture, water quality, waste management and urban land use.
Course Offerings: fall


SSC (CS) 462Soil-Crop Management Systems3(3-0-0) S
Preq: CS 213, CS 414, SSC 342, SSC 452; senior standing
Unites principles of soil science and crop science with those of allied areas into realistic agronomic applications; practical studies in planning and evaluation of soil and crop management systems.
Course Offerings: sprg


SSC 470Wetland Soils3(3-0-0) F
Preq: SSC 200, SSC 452 recommended
Wetland definitions, concepts, functions and regulations; chemical, physical and morphological characteristics of wetland soils. Wetland soil identification using field indicators and monitoring equipment; principles of wetland creation, restoration and mitigation. Special project required for SSC 570. Two mandatory field trips. Credit will not be given for both SSC 470 and SSC 570.
Course Offerings: fall


SSC 472Forest Soils3(2-3-0) S
Preq: SSC 341, or FOR 304
Soil as a medium for tree growth; relation of soil physical, chemical and biological factors to the practice of silviculture; extensive soil management in the forest and intensive soil management in forest nurseries and in seed orchards; relation ofsoil and site to forest genetics, ecology, pathology and entomology.
WolfWare Info


SSC (CS) 490Senior Seminar in Crop Science and Soil Science1(1-0-0) S
Preq: Senior standing
Review and discussion of current topics in crop science, soil science, agronomy and natural resource management. Preparation and presentation of scientific information in written and oral format.
Course Offerings: sprg


SSC 492External Learning Experience1-6 F,S
Preq: Sophomore standing
A learning experience in agriculture and life sciences within an academic framework that utilizes facilities and resources which are external to the campus. Contact and arrangements with the prospective employers must be initiated by student and approved by a faculty adviser, the prospective employer, the departmental teaching coordinator and the academic dean prior to the experience.
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sum2 sprg


SSC 493Special Problems in Soil Science1-6 F,S
Preq: Sophomore standing
A learning experience in agriculture and life sciences within an academic framework that utilizes campus facilities and resources. Contact and arrangements with prospective employers must be initiated by student and approved by a faculty adviser, the prospective employer, the departmental teaching coordinator prior to the experience.
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sum2 sprg


SSC 495Special Topics in Soil Science1-6 F,S
Preq: SSC 200
Offered as needed to present materials not normally available in regular course offerings or for offering of new courses on a trial basis.
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sum2 sprg


SSC 511Soil Physics4(3-3-0)
Preq: SSC 200, PY 212
Soil physical properties and theory of selected instrumentation to measure them. Topics including soil solids, soil water, air and heat. Emphasis on transport processes and the energy concept of soil and water.
Course Offerings: fall


SSC 521Soil Chemistry3(3-0-0) S
Preq: SSC 200, one yr. of general inorganic chemistry
A consideration of the chemical and colloidal properties of clay and soil systems, including ion exchange and retention, soil solution reactions, solvation of clays and electrokinetic properties of clay-water systems.
Course Offerings: sprg WolfWare Info


SSC (MB) 532Soil Microbiology4(3-3-0)
Preq: MB 351; CH 220
Soil as a medium for microbial growth, the relation of microbes to important mineral transformations in soil, the importance of biological equilibrium and significance of soil microbes to environmental quality.
Course Offerings: sprg WolfWare Info


SSC (BAE) 535Precision Agriculture Technology3(2-3-0) S, Alt. yrs(even)
Preq: Junior standing or Senior standing
Overview of technology available for implementation of a comprehensive precision agriculture program. Topics include computers, GPS, sensors, mechanized soil sampling, variable rate control system, yield monitors, and postharvest processing controls. Applications of precision agriculture in crop planning, tillage, planting, chemical applications, harvesting and postharvest processing. Credit may not be received for BAE/SSC 435 and BAE/SSC 535


SSC 541Soil Fertility3(3-0-0)
Preq: SSC 341
Soil conditions affecting plant growth and the chemistry of soil and fertilizer interrelationships. Factors affecting the availability of nutrients. Methods of measuring nutrient availability.
Course Offerings: fall WolfWare Info


SSC 545Remote Sensing Applications in Soil Science and Agriculture3(3-0-0) S
Preq: SSC 200, PY 212
Overview of remote sensing including history, evolution, vocabulary, and physical principles, i.e., electromagnetic radiation and its interaction with matter. Distant and proximate remote sensing techniques (aerial photography, satellite imaging, radar, lidar, etc.), hardware, and platforms and their application in the characterization and management of soils and crops. Development of strategies for incorporating remote sensing into soil and agronomic research, and of practical skills for processing, analysis, display, and discussion of remote sensing data with applications in soil science and agriculture.
Course Offerings: sprg


SSC 551Soil Morphology, Genesis and Classification3(3-0-0)
Preq: MEA 120, SSC 200, SSC 341
Morphology: Chemical, physical and mineralogical parameters useful in characterizing soil. Genesis: soil-forming factors and processes. Classification: historical development and present concepts of soil taxonomy with particular reference to worldwide distribution of great soil groups as well as discussions of logical bases of soil classification.
Course Offerings: sprg


SSC 562Environmental Applications Of Soil Science3(2-3-0)
Preq: SSC 200
Identification and evaluation of basic factors influencing movement of potential pollutants through soil and their underlying strata. Development of understanding of processes of soil and site evaluation for waste disposal and transport of pollutants through soils.
Course Offerings: sprg


SSC 570Wetland Soils3(3-0-0) F
Preq: SSC 200, SSC 452 recommended
Wetland definitions, concepts, functions and regulations; chemical, physical and morphological characteristics of wetland soils. Wetland soil identification using field indicators and monitoring equipment; principles of wetland creation, restoration and mitigation. Special project required for SSC 570. Two mandatory field trips. Credit will not be given for both SSC 470 and SSC 570.
Course Offerings: fall


SSC (BAE) 573Introduction to Surface Hydrologic/Water Quality Modeling3(2-0-2) F
Preq: BAE 471, SSC 200
Concepts in basic hydrologic, erosion and chemical transport used in modeling. Evaluation of typical hydrologic/water quality models on watershed systems. Usage of state-of-the-art models in project examples.
Course Offerings: fall WolfWare Info


SSC 590Special Problems1-3 F,S,Sum
Preq: SSC 200
Special problems in various phases of soils. Emphasis placed on review of recent and current research. Credits Arranged
Course Offerings: fall sprg


SSC 601Seminar1(1-0-0) F, S
Preq: Graduate standing in SSC
A maximum of two semester hours allowed toward the master's degree, but any number toward the doctorate. Scientific articles, progress reports in research and special problems of interest to soil scientists reviewed and discussed.
Course Offerings: fall sprg


SSC 609Colloquium In Soil Science1-3 F, S
Preq: Graduate standing in SSC
Seminar-type discussions and lectures on specialized and advanced topics in soil science. Credits Arranged


SSC 620Special Problems1-3 F, S
Preq: SSC 200
Special problems in various phases of soils. Emphasis placed on review of recent and current research. Credits Arranged
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sum2 sprg


SSC 685Master's Supervised Teaching1-3 F, S, Sum
Preq: Master's student
Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.
Course Offerings: fall sprg


SSC 688Non-Thesis Masters Continuous Registration - Half Time Registration1(1-0-0) F,S,Sum
Preq: Master's student
For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain half-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc.
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sprg


SSC 689Non-Thesis Master Continuous Registration - Full Time Registration3(3-0-0) F,S,Sum
Preq: Master's student
For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain full-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc. Students may register for this course a maximum of one semester.
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sprg


SSC 690Master's Exam1-6 F, S, Sum
Preq: Master's student
For students in non thesis master's programs who have completed all other requirements of the degree except preparing for and taking the final master's exam. Credits Arranged
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sum2 sprg


SSC 693Master's Supervised Research1-9 F, S, Sum
Preq: Master's student
Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sum2 sprg


SSC 695Master's Thesis Research1-9 F, S, Sum
Preq: Master's student
Thesis Research
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sum2 sprg


SSC 696Summer Thesis Research1(1-0-0) Sum
Preq: Master's student
For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.
Course Offerings: sum1


SSC 699Master's Thesis Preparation1-3 F, S, Sum
Preq: Master's student
For students who have completed all credit hour requirements and full-time enrollment for the master's degree and are writing and defending their thesis. Credits arranged
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sum2 sprg


SSC 701Tropical Soils: Characteristics and Management3(3-0-0) F, Alt yrs
Coreq: Six credits in SSC
Characteristics of the tropical environment. Distribution and classification of tropical soils. Soil-plant relationships in the tropics. Soil management systems with emphasis on shifting cultivation, flooded rice production, subsistence farming and tropical pasture management.
Course Offerings: fall


SSC 720Soil and Plant Analysis3(2-3-0) S, Alt yrs
Preq: PY 212; CH 315; at least three soils courses including SSC 341
Theory and advanced principles of utilization of chemical instruments to aid research on the heterogeneous systems of soils and plants.
Course Offerings: fall


SSC 722Advanced Soil Chemistry
F, Alt yrs
Preq: SSC 521, CH 730
Critical review of application of chemical thermodynamics and kinetics to under standing soil systems, solution equilibria, precipitation and dissolution, complexation, reduction-oxidation, surface-solute interactions and chemical transport. Application of chemical speciation models.
Course Offerings: fall


SSC (CS) (HS) (TOX) 725Herbicide Chemistry1(1-0-0) S
Preq: CH 201 and 221
Chemical properties of pesticides including hydration and solvation, ionization, volatilization, lipophilicity, molecular structure and size, and reactivity and classification according to chemical description, mode of action or ionizability. Taughtduring the first 5 weeks of semester. Drop date is last day of 3rd week of the minicourse.


SSC (CS) (HS) (TOX) 727Herbicide Behavior In Soil and Water2(2-0-0) S
Preq: CS(HS,SSC,TOX) 725,SSC 200
Sorption/desorption, soil reactivity, movement, volatilization, bioavailability, degradation and stability of pesticides in the environment. Taught during the last 10 weeks of semester. Drop date is last day of 3rd week of the minicourse.


SSC 753Soil Mineralogy3(2-3-0) F, Alt yrs
Preq: SSC 200, SSC 341
Composition, structure, classification, identification, origin, occurrence and significance of soil minerals with emphasis on primary weatherable silicates, layer silicate clays and sesquioxides.


SSC (BAE) 771Theory Of Drainage--Saturated Flow3(3-0-0) F, Alt yrs
Discussion of physical concepts and properties of fluids and porous media in relation to soil-water movement. Derivation and discussion of the fundamental laws and equations governing saturated flow in porous media. Analysis of mathematical solutions of steady-state and transient flow equations to determine their applicability to drainage problems. Consideration of analogs and models of particular drainage problems.
Course Offerings: fall


SSC (FOR) 773Forest Productivity: Edaphic Relationships3(3-0-0) F, Alt. Yrs.
Advanced ecophysiological consideration of forest stand productivity and how influenced by resource availability, genetics and their interactions. This knowledge used as a foundation to discuss the influence of natural stresses, silvicultural treatments and other anthropogenic disturbances on forest productivity.


SSC (BAE) 774Theory Of Drainage--Unsaturated Flow3(3-0-0) S, Alt yrs
Preq: BAE 771
Involvement of forces and utilization of theories in unsaturated flow of porous media in relation to soil-water movement. Development and solution of steady-state and transient unsaturated flow equations for horizontal and vertical moisture movement. Application of solutions to present day laboratory and field technology. Consideration of molecular diffusion and hydrodynamic dispersion considered in light of current tracing techniques.


SSC (BAE) 780Transport and Fate Of Chemicals In Soils and Natural Waters3(3-0-0) F
Preq: SSC 511, SSC 521
Ecological and environmental significance of movement of chemicals from agricultural and forested land to water and/or the atmosphere. Movement, depostition and chemical and biological transformations of chemicals. Emphasis on saprolite and the vadose zone. Transport to ground water and/or laterally toward surface water. Design of course for advanced graduate students.


SSC (FOR) 782Silviculture and Management Of Forest Plantations In the Tropics3(3-0-0) S
Preq: Graduate standing
Establishment and management of forest tree plantations in the tropics and subtropics. Genetic adaptability of trees used as exotics, establishment and management of tree improvement programs, tree harvesting, wood manufacturing, gene conservation and maintaining site productivity.


SSC 790Special Topics1-3 F,S,Sum
Course Offerings: fall


SSC 801Seminar1(1-0-0) F, S, Sum
Course Offerings: fall sprg


SSC 809Colloquium In Soil Science1-3 F, S, Sum
Preq: Graduate standing in SSC
Seminar-type discussions and lectures on specialized and advanced topics in soil science. Credits Arranged
Course Offerings: fall


SSC 820Special Problems1-3 F, S
Preq: SSC 200
Special problems in various phases of soils. Emphasis placed on review of recent and current research. Credits Arranged
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sum2 sprg


SSC 885Doctoral Supervised Teaching1-3 F, S, Sum
Preq: Doctoral student
Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.
Course Offerings: fall sprg


SSC 890Doctoral Preliminary Examination1-9 F, S, Sum
Preq: Doctoral student
For students who are preparing for and taking written and/or oral preliminary exams.
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sum2 sprg


SSC 893Doctoral Supervised Research1-9 F, S, Sum
Preq: Doctoral student
Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graudate Faculty.
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sum2 sprg


SSC 895Doctoral Dissertation Research1-9 F, S, Sum
Preq: Doctoral student
Dissertation research.
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sum2 sprg


SSC 896Summer Dissertation Research1(1-0-0) Sum
Preq: Doctoral student
For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.
Course Offerings: sum1


SSC 899Doctoral Dissertation Preparation1-3 F, S, Sum
Preq: Doctoral student
For students who have completed all credit hour, full-time enrollment, preliminary examination and residency requirements for the doctoral degree and are writing and defending their dissertations.
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sum2 sprg