THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies : BSc Hons (Royal (Dick) Sch of Veterinary Studies)

Undergraduate Course: Soils, Nutrients and Management (VETS10029)

Course Outline
SchoolRoyal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies CollegeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course develops the understanding of soil processes and their management required for effective crop production, soil conservation and ecosystem service provision. It builds on the concepts introduced in year 1 Science for Agri-Food Systems courses.
Course description Soil supports crop production through the supply of water and mineral nutrients essential for plant growth, but at the same time provides important ecosystem functions. The aim of the course is to develop an understanding of the processes that underlie these functions and the techniques available for managing soil to enhance crop productivity, nutrient and water use efficiency and long-term soil quality. The course will cover the following:
- Physical, chemical and biological properties of soil
- Mechanisms of nutrient cycling and factors determining availability for crops
- Nutrient losses through run-off, leaching, gaseous emissions
- Soil microbial ecology and above-ground/below-ground interactions
- Soil water relations; infiltration, run-off and plant water availability
- Soil management and conservation practice including tillage, alleviation and prevention of compaction, drainage, management of soil pH, integrated management approaches
- Treatment and application of organic fertilizers
- Soil organic matter management and conservation and soil

This course will be delivered by a series of lectures, tutorials, field visits and practicals.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  20
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 196 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 40 %, Coursework 60 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Exam 40% / course work 60%
Feedback Feedback will be supplied within 15 days of the submission deadline
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Explain the effects of soil physical, chemical and biological properties on nutrient cycling, water availability and plant root growth;
  2. Explain the mechanisms governing losses of nutrients from the soil-plant systems and option to minimize those losses;
  3. Discuss the role of microbial ecological networks and above-below ground interactions in driving nutrient cycling and critically evaluate opportunities for managing these interactions;
  4. Apply an understanding of soil processes to design a suitable soil management strategy for a given situation
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Joanna Cloy
Tel: 0131 535 4213
Email: Joanna.Cloy@sruc.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Gordon Littlejohn
Tel: (0131 6)51 7454
Email: Gordon.Littlejohn@ed.ac.uk
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