Module Information
Module Identifier
BDM2320
Module Title
Soil Science
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Distance Learning
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Essay on soils for production 2500 Words | 60% |
| Semester Assessment | Interactive task 1500 Words | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Essay on soils for production 2500 Words | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Soil Report 1500 Words | 40% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Explain the current and future challenges to food supplies relating to soil health
Acquire a fundamental understanding of the properties and functions of different soil systems
Develop an understanding of the relationship between soil system properties and sustainable land management.
Evaluate the impact of soil management on production and the environment.
Brief description
This module is part of the IBERS distance learning courses. The module will teach students about the formation, attributes, and function of soils in an agricultural context, with a focus on food production and the key roles of soil management in sustainable food futures. Through a mixture of critical assignments, lectures, case studies, and research, students will gain an understanding of the complexity of soil systems and how their health can be influenced both positively and negatively by human interactions.
Soil is at the heart of almost all food production as such this module will aim to highlight how knowledge of soils can assist with achieving sustainability and security in food production systems.
Soil is at the heart of almost all food production as such this module will aim to highlight how knowledge of soils can assist with achieving sustainability and security in food production systems.
Content
• Soil formation and function
• Soil classification and properties
• Life in the soil
• Soil and production
• Humans impact on soils
• Soil ecosystems and the environment
• Sustainable soil management
• Technologies and soil management
• Soil classification and properties
• Life in the soil
• Soil and production
• Humans impact on soils
• Soil ecosystems and the environment
• Sustainable soil management
• Technologies and soil management
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Creative Problem Solving | Course content will develop an awareness of the complex inter-relationships among components of soil systems. This will enable students to identify and analyse problems. This along with an evaluation of the research literature and its applications, will provide case studies that demonstrate how applied science can be used in problem solving. Assessed in the assignments ; feedback from the assignment. |
| Critical and analytical thinking | Developed through a study of the scientific literature. Assessed in the assignments; reflection on, and effective use of, feedback from the assignment. |
| Digital capability | The assignments will require the use of internet based academic journal search engines and the retrieval of academic journal papers. The data for the assignment may need to be handled using spreadsheet software. The assignments must be prepared using word processing and spreadsheet software. Assessed in the assignment; feedback from the assignment. |
| Professional communication | The interactive task assignment will expect students to demonstrate good communication skills. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students will develop an understanding of specific concepts and core skills relating to soil science and food production. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7