Soil & Water Resources

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Everett Moss (Associate Professor of Environmental Science)
• Email: emoss@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Meridian Science Center 334
• Office Hours:
  • Wednesday & Thursday: 9:00–10:30 a.m. (In person, Meridian Science Center 334)
  • Monday: 3:00–4:00 p.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

Soil formation and properties, hydrologic processes, watershed management, groundwater, water quality monitoring, and land use impacts, with a weekly three-hour field and analytical laboratory. ENVS 330 provides an advanced, quantitative examination of soil physics, chemistry, and hydrology, focusing on the fundamental resource systems that sustain terrestrial ecosystems and agricultural security. Students investigate soil pedogenesis, soil architecture, cation exchange capacity, unsaturated flow, watershed hydrology, groundwater hydrogeology, and contaminant fate and transport. The weekly field and analytical laboratory provides rigorous training in soil profile characterization, infiltration testing, Darcy's law aquifer permeametry, analytical spectrophotometry for water chemistry, and catchment-scale land-use impact modeling.

Prerequisites

ENVS 201 and CHEM 101.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of ENVS 330, students will be able to:

1. Analyze Soil Pedogenesis and Physical Properties: Classify soil profiles using USDA soil taxonomy, evaluate soil texture and structure, and quantify bulk density, porosity, and hydraulic conductivity.
2. Evaluate Soil Biogeochemistry and Fertility: Measure soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), base saturation, and organic carbon fractions to evaluate soil fertility and contaminant sorption capacity.
3. Quantify Surface Hydrologic Processes: Calculate precipitation-runoff relationships, storm hydrographs, unit hydrograph routing, and catchment water balances.
4. Apply Groundwater Hydrogeology Principles: Formulate and solve Darcy's law equations for confined and unconfined aquifers, evaluate hydraulic head gradients, and model pumping cone depressions.
5. Monitor Water Quality and Chemical Contaminants: Collect and analyze surface and groundwater samples for nutrients (nitrate, phosphate), heavy metals, dissolved oxygen, and biological oxygen demand (BOD).
6. Assess Watershed Management and Land Use Impacts: Model agricultural and urban nonpoint source pollution loadings to propose watershed-scale best management practices (BMPs) and riparian buffer designs.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Brady, Nyle C., and Ray R. Weil. The Nature and Properties of Soils. 15th ed., Pearson, 2016. Approx. $75 for digital rental; approx. $155 for print purchase.
2. Hornberger, George M., et al. Elements of Physical Hydrology. 2nd ed., Johns Hopkins University Press, 2014. Approx. $50.
3. ENVS 330 Laboratory and Field Manual (Fall 2026). Alkimi University Copy Center. Approx. $20.
4. ANSI Z87.1 splash goggles, waterproof field notebook, and rubber field boots. Approx. $40.
5. Total estimated cost: $70 to $265.

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 2: AI Permitted with Disclosure for Specified Tasks)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), ENVS 330 operates under AI Level 2.

• What is permitted: You may use AI tools to assist in writing Python or spreadsheet scripts for hydrologic hydrograph separation, clarify soil chemistry equilibrium concepts, and improve readability in draft report sections.
• What is prohibited: You may not use AI to generate synthetic soil test data, write complete laboratory discussion sections, calculate Darcy flux assignments without personal derivation, or access AI during exams.
• Disclosure: Include an AI disclosure paragraph in each laboratory write-up and the watershed assessment report specifying any AI tools consulted and detailing your data verification procedures, or state that no AI tools were used.

Grading Components and Weights

• Midterm Exam 1: 15% (In class, Friday, September 25)
• Midterm Exam 2: 15% (In class, Friday, October 30)
• Laboratory Reports & Field Notebooks: 25% (Weekly laboratory reports due in Canvas Thursdays at 11:59 p.m.)
• Watershed Hydrologic Assessment Project: 15% (Due Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Weekly Hydrologic Problem Sets: 10% (Canvas problem sets due Mondays at 11:59 p.m.; lowest dropped)
• Final Comprehensive Examination: 20% (Tuesday, December 15, 2026, 3:30–5:30 p.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: None is offered.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Punctual attendance at all lectures and laboratory sessions is required. Analytical lab instruments (spectrophotometers, permeameters) and field hydrologic stations cannot be replicated outside scheduled laboratory periods. Notify Dr. Moss in advance of excused absences. More than two unexcused lab absences results in an automatic grade of F. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Laboratory reports lose 10% per day late and cannot be submitted more than three days past the deadline. Problem sets submitted late receive a 20% point deduction and are not accepted after solutions are released. The lowest problem set score will be dropped.

Laboratory Safety and Outdoor Field Protocol

Laboratory activities include chemical extractions (dilute acids and bases) and outdoor stream and soil sampling. ANSI Z87.1 safety goggles, lab coats, and closed-toe footwear are mandatory in Meridian Science Center 132. For field days, bring rugged footwear, durable clothing, and foul-weather gear.

Final Exam Policy

The final examination (Tuesday, December 15, 2026, 3:30–5:30 p.m.) is scheduled by the University Registrar and can't be moved without the Dean's written approval (Faculty Handbook §5.5). A student with three or more final exams on the same calendar day may reschedule one of them. Requests go to the instructor of the middle exam by the last day of classes. For this term, send the request by Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (Student Handbook §6.4).