Field Methods in Applied Geosciences
(Soil Sciences, Hydrology, Hydrogeology)
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Soil Morphology- 2007 Class

Hydric Soils- 2007 Class

Course Instructor:   Mr. Brian Oram, PG

Course I:  Introduction to Soil Science and Morphology - EES 394P/ EES 498
June 2011  (4 days)- please email brian.oram@wilkes.edu

Course Number:  EES 394P*- undergraduate credit (2 credit)   - CRN Number not assigned yet (Important Numbers - Please Record)
Course Number:  EES 498P* - advanced undergraduate or possibly graduate credit (2 credit)  CRN Number not assigned yet (Important Numbers - Please Record)
Course is also available for Continuing Education Credits.

Course II: Hydric Soils Course - EES 394B/ EES 498 B
July 2011 (3 days- but there is one additional day for mentoring/assessment/review)
please email brian.oram@wilkes.edu

Course Number:  EES 394B*- undergraduate credit (2 credit)   -CRN Number not assigned yet (Important Numbers - Please Record)
Course Number:  EES 498B* - advanced undergraduate or possibly graduate credit (2 credit)  CRN Number not assigned yet (Important Numbers - Please Record) Course is also available for Continuing Education Credit.

Details on the Summer Offering, Cost, and Schedule for Wilkes (These classes have not been scheduled)

 For a listing of potential Continuing Education Courses
in Engineering and Geology

This are 1-day Short Courses available for Continuing Education or University Credit
For More Information about the Short Courses
 

Course I: Introduction to Soil Science and Morphology - EES 394P/ EES 498
 

The Course !

The primary focus of the course will be to provide an strong introduction to applied soil science, geology, GIS/GPS and hydrology to undergraduates, graduates, and professionals with a science background.   During the course, we will discuss soil science, soil morphology, applications of soil science to stormwater and on-site wastewater disposal, redoximorphic features, hydric soils, regional geology, soil hydrology, obtain hands one use of GIS/GPS equipment, and use field water quality monitoring equipment. 

There is a lot going on in one week.  In the past we have offered this as a 10 day course with a lot of positive feedback.  It will be great to have you, but please be prepared to learn, work, and be part of the team.

What to bring !

Be ready for field work - bug spray, boots, rain gear, notebook, pencils, digital camera, etc.  If you have a Soil Munsell Chart, Soil Knife, Screwdriver, Waterproof Notebook, Stop Watch, coring tools - Bring it along !

Wetland Guys/ Gals - bring your resource materials. We will not be discussing wetlands - but we will discuss Hydric Soils- The site will be using has already been delineated.

Course Textbook

At this point, there will be no course textbook to purchase, but there will be a series of handouts, powerpoint presentations, and a field manual for the course.  There will be no additional charge for these materials.  During the course, I may suggest purchasing certain reference materials - I will have examples for field use

Grading

Your course grade is up to you.  If you work hard and show effort, it will not only show in your grade, but you will walk-away from the course with a better understanding or even better more questions.  I like to run the course as if the class was one research team or consulting group.  All the members of your class are your team and your team will be consulted to determine your effectiveness as a “team player”.  This will be included in your field conduct grade. Therefore, work together as a team, maintain a field notebook, ask questions, and participate !  There will be no final exams or quizzes.

Graduate Credit Option - THE 498 OPTION !!! (Please consider !)

Individuals looking for graduate credit - will need to complete a "term" paper and confirm that your program will accept the course for graduate credit.  The paper can focus on any topic approved by an instructor.  The general guidelines for the paper is that it should be at least 10 pages, excluding references and supporting materials.  Following the course, you will have three weeks to complete your paper.  Paper topics can be approved prior to the course !

Possible topics for a paper:

1) The relationship between geology and geological change on soils.
2) Soil and suitability for land-based wastewater disposal.
3) Use of GIS/GPS in Environmental Applications
4) Regional Geology of the Wyoming Valley

Proposed Schedule - Directions to Wilkes -
(For Individuals Off-Campus I will try to get Visitor Pays for the Week)

Day 1: On-campus at Wilkes University- Meet Stark Learning Center - SLC 435 (4th floor)

Morning: Meet the Team, Meet the Instructors, Introduction to Field Safety, Environmental Applications to Soil Science, and Introduction to Soil Formation Processes and Introduction to Our Project Site
 

Homework- Review Soil Morphology Manual

Day 1: Field Day

Morning: Evaluating Soil Test Pits and Soil Probes in Upland Areas and Wetland Areas and Introduction to Hydric Soils  (Hydric Soils will be a separate 3 day course - Course II -Hydric Soils Course - EES 394B/ EES 498 B - July 2010 )

Afternoon: Evaluating Soil Test Pits for Suitability for On-lot Wastewater Disposal and Stormwater Infiltration - the Percolation Test, Infiltration Testing, and Saturated Permeability Testing

Homework- Review On-lot Wastewater Disposal Alternatives Guidelines for PA
PA Perspective on Onlot or Land-Based Wastewater Disposal - please review and bookmark. Website is a work in Progress.

Day 2: Field Day -

Dr. Sid Halsor and Mr. Bill Toothill - Past Instructors

Morning: Local and Regional Geology  and Tour of Local "Environmental Clean-up Site"

Afternoon: Soil Morphology

Homework - Review Guidelines for Stormwater Infiltration.

Day 3: Field Day - Soil Morphology - Soil Horizonation and Diagnostic Features

Test Site # 1
Prepare Detailed Soil Morphological Descriptions or Evaluation of Hydric Soils

Test Site # 2
Installing Wells and Piezometers - What is the difference?
Field Demonstration - Measuring Redox Potential

Percolation Testing

Wetland Monitoring - Well / Piezometer Hydric Soils - Wetland Soils Monitoring

Homework - Get some sleep !

Day 4: Supplementary Field Data

Introduction to Wastewater and Stormwater Applications

Course II: Introduction to Hydric Soils- EES 394B/ EES 498 B

The course will be used as an introductory field course to the topic of hydric soils.  The course will provide a foundation for identifying and describing hydric soils, using the field indicators, and understanding the physiochemcial and morphological features of hydric soils.  During the field course, you will install shallow monitoring wells, piezometers, monitor water level, monitor water quality, and have an introduction to the use of pressure transducers for water level monitoring.
 

Resources
Field Guide Book version 2 (pdf)
Describing Soil Texture - " Feel Method" (pdf)
Describing Soil Structure (pdf)
Describing and Grading Soil Structure (pdf)
Permeability Classes for Soils (pdf)|
Drainage Classes for Soils (pdf)

Resources - Hydric Soils

Field Indicator Sheet (Source: NCSU)
Redox Measurement
Monitoring Wells and Piezometers
Land Resource Regions (Low Resolution - pdf) - 13 Mb

 

Check out the Following Websites
Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences

Center for Environmental Quality

Continuing Education, Distance Learning, and Other Training Workshops