Soil: An In-Depth Look from Microbes to Mudslides (FLEX)

To many people, soil is nothing more than "dirt" on which roads and buildings are constructed or in which crops grow.  This six-week class seeks to introduce students to the various biological, geological, environmental, and engineering aspects of soil to show how complex of a substance soil really is.  Furthermore, students will see how vital soil in our day-to-day lives.  This class will cover the following topics:

Week One - Soil Basics (What is soil? How does soil form?)
Week Two - Microbes and Mineralogy
Week Three - Environmental Contamination and Remediation
Week Four - Engineering Aspects of Soil
Week Five - Natural Hazards
Week Six - Soil Conservation and Management

This class will be taught in a flexible format.  No live presentations are scheduled.  Once a week, a presentation will be uploaded and narrated by the instructor.  Outside of class, students will be given assignments (both written and hands-on) to apply their knowledge and further enrich their understanding of the subject material.  In addition, weekly discussion boards will enhance student learning and engagement both with the instructor and each other.

Prerequisite knowledge for this class includes understanding of basic geology (e.g. rocks, minerals, groundwater, weathering, erosion, etc.) and chemistry (e.g. positive and negative charges of elements).