AGR3903 Soil and Water Engineering Practice 2

Contents

• Staffing
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

SYNOPSIS

Agricultural and Environmental Engineers require a practical understanding of the processes governing soil and water behaviour in the environment. This course provides students with a practical introduction to the factors influencing soil formation and the techniques associated with the field description and classification of soils. Laboratory classes will be conducted to enable students to identify major factors influencing soil chemical and physical properties. Field measurement of important soil/water parameters and processes such as soil moisture content, infiltration, hydraulic conductivity and aquifer transmissivity will be undertaken. The course will also build on the hydraulics undertaken in the earlier soil and water practice course particularly in the areas of varied and unsteady flows and sediment transport.

OBJECTIVES

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item(s) that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective are shown in parenthesis. On completion of this course, students should be able to:

1.

demonstrate an understanding of the factors influencing soil formation and the relationships between soils and landscapes; (Soil desct & classification)

2.

undertake the field description and classification of soils; (Soil desct & classification)

3.

demonstrate an understanding of basic laboratory testing procedures required in soil science; (Soil Lab report)

4.

apply techniques for the evaluation of irrigation performance in the field; (Irrigation Evaluation Report)

5.

analyse data from a pumping test on a groundwater well and determine the transmissivity and storativity of an aquifer; (Pump Test Report)

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Chadwick, A & Morfett, J 2004, Hydraulics in civil and environmental engineering, 4th edn, E & FN Spon, London.

Kruseman, GP & de Ridder, NA 1990, Analysis and evaluation of pumping test data, 2nd edn, Intern Inst for Land Reclamation and Improvement, Wageningen, Netherlands.

McDonald, RC, Isbell, RF, Speight, JG, Walker, J & Hopkins, MS 1990, Australian soil and land survey: field handbook, 2nd edn, Inkata Press, Melbourne.

Singer, MJ & Munns, DN 2002, Soils: an introduction, 5th edn, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

Walker, WR & Skogerboe, GV 1987, Surface irrigation theory and practice, Prentice Hall, New Jersey.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   This course requires attendance at a residential school. It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course.)
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without extenuating circumstances then a penalty of 5% of the assigned mark may apply for each working day late up to a maximum of ten working days at which time a mark of zero can be recorded for that assignment.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade students must complete satisfactorily complete (as defined in statement 2) at least 80% of the practical and other activities.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   As P is the only passing grade available for this course, all students who are qualified for a passing grade, under the requirements in 4 above, will be given a grade of P. Other students will be given either a Failing grade or an Incomplete grade.
6. Examination information:
   There is no examination in this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Not applicable.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 11 Dec 2009.