Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Understanding how soils and landscapes have evolved provides the key to managing terrestrial environments effectively and making sound decisions for sustainable land use. This unit covers the processes contributing to soil formation and degradation such chemical transformation, translocation of solids and fluids and wind or water erosion for example. These processes are presented within a geomorphic and hydrological context. Based on this understanding soil classification is introduced, followed by the definition and mapping of soil and land capability classes which form the basis of a land capability assessment. A land capability assessment helps businesses and society in general to make the necessary decision for a sustainable usage of the land such as agriculture, forestry, mining, nature conservation or urbanisation.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 1 UWA (Perth) Face to face Semester 1 Albany Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 3 core unit in the Environmental Science; Environmental Science and Management; Environmental Science and Ecology major sequences
- Level 3 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) describe, assess and sample soil profiles in different landscape positions; (2) classify soil properties in the field and use laboratory techniques to determine physical and chemical soil properties such as: texture, water retention, pH and EC, phosphorus retention or cation exchange capacity; and (3) classify and map soils and landforms and relate these to land use and soil degradation such as salinisation, desertification and soil acidification. and finally perform a land capability assessment..
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) mid semester short report; (2) individual final report; and (3) group folder. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Matthias Leopold
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Successful completion ofone Unit(s) ENVT2220 The Climate System
or Unit(s) ENVT2236 Soil Science
or Unit(s) EART2222 Geomorphology and Soils
or Unit(s) EART2231 Earth Materials
or Unit(s) EART2234 Earth Processes
or Unit(s) ENVT2251 Hydrology and Water Resource Management
or Unit(s) ENVT2221 Global Climate Change and Biodiversity
or Unit(s) ENVT2250 Ecology
- Incidental fees
- Incidental student fees and charges are costs incurred by students as part of their studies at UWA that are in addition to their tuition fees (further information is available here).
Participation in this unit will incur the following incidental fee(s):Field Trip (estimated cost - Up to $50). - Contact hours
- lectures: 2 hours per week
laboratory classes: 3 hours practical work per week and a compulsory field trip (1 or 2 days) involving soil mapping and sampling which takes place on the third or fourth weekend of the semester
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.