Hydrologic Sciences Courses

Listed below are the Hydrologic Sciences core courses. Students are encouraged to select among a wide array of courses from across campus to fulfill their individual educational needs, as determined in discussion with the graduate committee members. Individual faculty member web pages list courses that they teach, and these are all within the Graduate Group.

ABT 180: Introduction to GIS

5 Units
Qtr: I
Plant, Wallender

Lecture-2 hours; laboratory/discussion-6 hours.

Prerequisite: Agricultural Systems and Environment 21; Mathematics 16A-16B, and Statistics 13, or the equivalents.

Management and analysis of georeferenced data. Spatial database management and modeling. Applications of agriculture and biological resource management. Cartographic modeling. Vector-based geographic information system.

ABT 181 GIS modeling

5 Units
Qtr: II
Wallender

Lecture-2 hours; laboratory/discussion-9 hours.

Prerequisite: Course 180.

Advanced topics in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), such as raster-based GIS (GRID), triangular irregular network (TIN), and networks. Use of GIS ARC/INFO for remote sensing and modeling of environmental terrain, transportation, hydrology, and site specific crop management.

EBS 145 Irrigation and drainage systems

4 Units
II
Wallender, Grismer, Hills

Lecture-4 hours.

Prerequisite: Engineering 103 and Hydrologic Science 103.

Engineering and scientific principles applied to the design of surface, sprinkle and micro irrigation systems and drainage systems within economic, biological, and environmental constraints. Interaction between irrigation and drainage will be emphasized (same course as Hydrologic Science 115).

ECI 146 Water resources simulation

3 Units
Qtr: II
Schladow

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite courses: 141; 114 and 142 recommended.

Simulation techniques in the analysis, design and operation of surface water systems; introduction to modeling concepts with particular application to surace runoff; water quality in rivers and streams; and management of reservoirs. GE credit: Wrt.

ECI 212A Finite element procedures in applied mechanics

3 Units
Qtr: II
Rashid

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: Applied Science Engineering 115 or Mathematics 128A-128B (128B may be taken concurrently), or consent of instructor.

Approximate analysis procedures; Galerkin and stationary principle methods. Construction of approximate solutions by the finite element method. Applications to one- and two-dimensional problems in engineering. Introduction to time dependent, non-linear and three-dimensional problems, and other approximation procedures.

ECI 212C Finite elements: Application to fluid problems

3 Units
Qtr: III
Larock

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: courses 141, 212A.

Application of the finite element method to two- and three-dimensional fluid flow problems, including inviscid and viscous flow, convection-diffusion problems, the shallow water equations, and flow through porous media. Class lectures and independent study and projects. Offered in alternate years.

ECI 240 Water quality

3 Units
Qtr: II
Staff

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: courses 141 and 142.

Quality requirements for beneficial uses of water. Hydrologic cycle of quality. Hydromechanics in relation to quality of surface and ground-waters; transport and fate of waterborne pollutants. Predictive methods, introduction to water quality modeling.

ECI 244 Environmental quality modeling

3 Units
Qtr: III
Staff

Lecture-2 hours; laboratory-3 hours.

Prerequisite: course 240 or 242A.

Mathematical modeling of environmental quality, with emphasis on mathematical models of water quality, their structure, capabilities and limitations, sensitivity and reliability as analytical and/or predictive tools. Offered in alternate years.

ECI 267 Water resources management

3 Qtr: I
Lund

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: basic probability (course 114 or the equivalent) and courses 141 and 142; course 153 recommended.

Operation, maintenance, and modification of existing water resource systems; engineering, economic, financial, legal, and institutional considerations; decision, optimization, and multi-objective analysis.

ECI 272A Advanced Groundwater Hydrology

3 Units
Qtr: II
Marino

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: course 144 or the equivalent; Mathematics 118A recommended.

Flow in confined, unconfined, and leaky aquifers. Hydraulics of pumping and recharging wells. Identification of aquifer parameters. Groundwater quality problems.

ECI 272B Advanced groundwater hydrology

3 Units
Qtr: III
King

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: courses 272A and 212A or the equivalent.

Numerical methods of fluid flow systems. Flow in the unsaturated zone. Hydrodynamic dispersion. Fresh-water and salt-water interface in coastal aquifers. Identification of regional aquifer parameters. Modeling of aquifer systems. Offered in alternate years.

ECI 275 Hydrologic time-series analysis

3 Units
Qtr: III
Kavvas

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: Engineering 118 and course 142 or the equivalent.

Application of statistical methods for analysis and modeling of hydrologic series. Statistical simulation and prediction of hydrologic sequences using time series methodology. Offered in alternate years.

ECI 276 Watershed hydrology

4 Units
Qtr: II
Kavvas

Lecture-4 hours.

Prerequisite: course 142 or the equivalent. Analysis and mathematical modeling of hydrologic processes taking place in a watershed.

Precipitation analysis and modeling. Theory of overland flow and its kinematic wave approximation. Analysis and modeling of saturated and unsaturated subsurface flow processes taking place on a hill slope.

ENG 103 Fluid mechanics

4 Units
Qtr: I, II, III
Barakat, White

Lecture-4 hours.

Prerequisite: course 102 (may be taken concurrently).

Fluid properties; fluid statics; continuity and linear momentum equations for control volumes; flow of incompressible fluids in pipes; dimensional analysis and boundary-layer flows.

ESP 151 Limnology

4 Units
Qtr: III
Goldman

Lecture-3 hours; discussion-1 hour; special project.

Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 1A and junior standing.

The biology and productivity of inland waters with emphasis on the physical and chemical environment.

ESP 151L Limnology laboratory

3 Units
Qtr: III
Goldman

Laboratory-6 hours; two weekend field trips.

Prerequisite: course 151 (may be taken concurrently); junior, senior, or graduate standing.

Limnological studies of lakes, streams, and reservoirs with interpretation of aquatic ecology.

ESP 155 Wetland Ecology

4 Units
Qtr: I
Rejmankova

Lecture-3 hours; discussion-1 hour.

Prerequisite: course 100 or Plant Biology 117 required; course 110 or 151 recommended.

Introduction to wetland ecology. The structure and function of major wetland types and principles that are common to wetlands and that distinguish them from terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

ESP 155L Wetland Ecology Laboratory

3 Units
Qtr: I
Rejmankova

Lecture-1 hour; laboratory-6 hours; fieldwork-two 1-day weekend field trips.

Prerequisite: course 155 required (may be taken concurrently).

Modern and classic techniques in wetland field ecology. Emphasis on sampling procedures, and examples of successful wetland restoration techniques.

ESP 161 Environmental law

4 Units
Qtr: II
Wandesforde-Smith

Lecture-3 hours; discussion-1 hour.

Prerequisite: upper division standing and one course in environmental science (course 1, 10, 110, Biological Sciences 1A, Environmental Toxicology 10, or Resource Sciences 100); English 1 and Political Sciences 1 recommended.

Introduction for non-Law School students to some of the principal issues in environmental law and the judicial interpretation of some important environmental statutes, e.g., NEPA. GE credit: SocSci, Wrt.

GEL 135 Rivers of California

3 Units
Qtr: III
Mount

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: course 1.

Analysis of the conflict between land use practices and river processes within California's watersheds. Survey of fluvial processes, climate and geology. Evaluation of impacts of logging, mining, agriculture, urbanization, flood control and water supply. GE credit: SciEng.

GEL 139 Fluvial Geomorphology

5 Units
Qtr: I
Mount

Lecture-3 hours; laboratory-3 hours; fieldwork-3 hours.

Prerequisite: courses 50, 50L; Mathematics 21B or 16B recommended.

Advanced analysis of fluvial processes, including geomorphic evolution of rivers, floodplains and watersheds at various spatial and temporal scales, and in response to changing land use. Laboratory exercises examine methods of geomorphic analysis of rivers. Includes three weekend field trips.-

GEL 227 Stable isotope biogeochemistry

4 Units
Qtr: III
Spero

Lecture-2 hours; laboratory-6 hours.

Prerequisite: graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Discussion and application of stable isotope techniques for scientific research problems. Course emphasizes carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and sulfur isotopes. Laboratory will develop basic skills of cryogenic gas extraction and specific techniques for individual research using stable isotopes.

HYD 103 Introduction to fluid mechanics

3 Units
Qtr: I
The Staff

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: Physics 5A and Mathematics 16B; course 100 recommended; or consent of instructor.

An introductory course in fluid properties, fluid statics, conservation of mass, momentum and energy. Dimensional analysis and boundary layer flow phenomena will also be considered. Not open for credit to students who have completed Water Science 142.

HYD 110 Irrigation principles and practices

3 Units
Qtr: III
Schwankl

Lecture-2 hours; laboratory-3 hours.

Prerequisite: Physics 5A; Soil Science 100 recommended.

General course for agricultural and engineering students dealing with soil and plant aspects of irrigation and drainage. Soil-water movement and storage, plant responses to irrigation regimes, water use by crops; procedures for determining frequency and depth of irrigation, drainage. Not open for credit to students who have completed Water Science 110.

HYD 115 Irrigation and drainage systems

4 Units
Qtr: II
Wallender/ Grismer/ Hills

Lecture-4 hours.

Prerequisite: Engineering 103A or course 103.

Engineering and scientific principles applied to the design of surface, sprinkle and micro irrigation systems and drainage systems within economic, biological, and environmental constraints. Interaction between irrigation and drainage will be emphasized. Not open for credit to students who have completed Water Science 145. (Same course as Biological Systems Engineering 145.)

HYD 117 Irrigation water management

3 Units
Qtr: III
Hopmans

Lecture-2 hours; discussion-1 hour.

Prerequisite: course 110 or 124.

Irrigation principles of soil-water and plant-water relations with irrigation system characteristics and other factors into an analytical framework for irrigation water management. Case studies discussed. Not open for credit to students who have completed Water Science 172.

HYD 122 Biology of running waters

3 Units
Qtr: I
The Staff

Lecture-2 hours; discussion-1 hour.

Prerequisite: introductory course in biology and junior standing.

The study of lotic aquatic animals and plants in relation to their environment; various factors affecting the distribution of freshwater plants and animals is emphasized in a manner particularly suitable for students of freshwater ecology, soil and water science, and renewable natural resources. Not open for credit to students who have completed Water Science 122.

HYD 122L Biology of running waters laboratory

2 Units
tr: I
The Staff

Laboratory-2 hours (including 2 or 3 weekend field trips).

Prerequisite: introductory course in biology or consent of instructor and junior standing; course 122 (concurrently).

Course allows interested students to obtain experience in sampling, processing, and synthesizing field data. Field trips will allow students to obtain an understanding of the structure and function of stream ecosystems. Not open for credit to students who have completed Water Science 122L.

HYD 124 Plant-water-soil relationships

4 Units
Qtr: III
Hsiao

Lecture-3 hours; discussion-2 hours.

Prerequisite: course 100; Soil Science 100 recommended, and one additional course in botany or plant physiology; or consent of instructor.

Principles of plant interactions with soil and water environments and their applications in crop and environmental management. Includes nutrient and water uptake and transport; transpiration; soil processes affecting supplies; deficiencies and plant responses. Not open for credit to students who have completed Water Science 104.

HYD 134 Aqueous geochemistry

4 Units
Qtr: III
Casey

Lecture-3 hours; laboratory-3 hours.

Prerequisite: Chemistry 2B.

The chemistry of natural waters; dielectric properties of water; thermodynamic and massaction relations; metal hydrolysis; acid-base equilibria; metal-coordination chemistry; solubility calculations; electron-exchange reactions; and rate laws.

HYD 141 Physical hydrology

4 Units
Qtr: I
Puente

Lecture-3 hours; discussion-1 hour.

Prerequisite: Physics 9B, Mathematics 21B; course 100 recommended.

Introduction to the processes that constitute the hydrologic cycle. Special emphasis on a quantitative description of the following processes: precipitation, infiltration, evaporation, transpiration, surface runoff, and groundwater runoff.

HYD 142 Systems hydrology

4 Units
Qtr: II
Puente

Lecture-3 hours; discussion-1 hour.

Prerequisite: course 141 or Civil and Environmental Engineering 142.

General course considering hydrologic processes from a systems or statistical model perspective. General probability concepts are applied to frequency, time series and spatial data analysis. Linear systems are also considered in conjunction with Kalman filter techniques.

HYD 143 Hydrological processes in ecosystems

3 Units
Qtr: III
Pasternack

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: course 141 or Environmental and Resource Science 100.

Movement and storage of water are integral parts of landscape and ecosystem functioning. Hydrological processes in individual ecosystems and the role of water linking the myriad components of the landscape.

HYD 144 Groundwater hydrology

3 Units
Qtr: I
Mariņo

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: Mathematics 16B, or 21A; Hydrologic Science 103 or Engineering 103 recommended.

Fundamentals of groundwater hydrology-occurrence, movement and distribution of groundwater, well-flow systems-well construction, operation and maintenance, groundwater contamination-exploration and quality assessment. (Same course as Biological Systems Engineering 144). Not open for credit to students who have completed course 145A.

HYD 146 Hydrogeology and contaminant transport

4 Units
Qtr: II
Fogg

Lecture-3 hours; laboratory-3 hours.

Prerequisite: course 145 or Civil and Environmental Engineering 144 or the equivalent.

Physical and chemical processes in contaminant transport, with emphasis on effects of acquifer complexity. Groundwater geology and chemistry. Fundamentals of groundwater flow and transport modeling. Laboratory includes field pumping test and work with physical and computer models. Not open for credit to students who have completed Water Science 149B and 149L, or course 145B.

HYD 147 Runoff, Erosion and Water Quality Management in the Tahoe Basin

3 Units
Grismer

Lecture/laboratory-30 hours; fieldwork-15 hours; discussion-10 hours; term paper.

Prerequisite: Physics 7B or 9B, Mathematics 16C or 21C, Civil and Environmental Engineering 142 or course 141 or Environmental and Resource Sciences 100.

5 days of instruction in Tahoe City. Practical hydrology and runoff water quality management from Tahoe Basin slopes. Development of hillslope and riparian restoration concepts, modeling and applications from physical science perspectives including precipitation-runoff relationships, sediment transport, and detention ponds. (Same course as Biological Systems Engineering 147.)

HYD 150 Hydrogeology and contaminant transport

3 Units
Qtr: II

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: Environmental and Resource Sciences 100 or 121 or consent of instructor.

Principles and issues of California Water Law. Types of water rights, groundwater rights and management, and protection of instream uses. Water projects, role of federal government and federal/state relations. Basic water quality acts, endangered species act, water transfers and current water issues.

HYD 151 Field methods in hydrology

4 Units
Qtr: II
Pasternack

Lecture-2 hours; laboratory-3 hours; fieldwork-3 hours.

Prerequisite: Environmental and Resource Sciences 100 or course 141.

Measurement methods and data analysis for evaluation of water storage, movement and contamination in the field. Equipment such as data loggers, water and sediment samplers, pressure transducers, weather stations, surveying equipment, and flow meters will be used.

HYD 182 Environmental analysis with geographical information systems (GIS)

5 Units
Qtr: I
The Staff

Lecture-2 hours; laboratory/discussion-6 hours.

Prerequisite: Applied Biological Systems Technology 180; Applied Biological Systems Technology 181 recommended.

Ecosystem and landscape modeling with emphasis on hydrology and solute transport. Spatial analysis of environmental risk analysis including ecological risk assessment. Precision farming. Natural resource management. Spatial database structures. Remote sensing applications. Data quality and error analysis in GIS. (Same course as Applied Biological Systems Technology 182.)

HYD 198 Directed group study

1-5 Units
Qtr: I, II, III
The Staff

(P/NP grading only.)

HYD 200 Survey of hydrologic sciences

1 I, II, III
Grismer

Seminar-1 hour; paper.

Prerequisite: open to students in the Hydrologic Sciences program.

Seminar course exposes students to the diversity of sciences involved in the program. Students prepare a paper and presentation in their area of research interest. May be repeated twice for credit. (S/U grading only.)

HYD 210 Hydrologic modeling of the vadose zone

3 Units
Qtr: III
Hopmans

Lecture-2 hours; discussion-1 hour.

Prerequisite: Soil Science 107, Mathematics 22B, Programming Language.

Principles and modeling of soil water, solute transport, heat and water flow, root water and nutrient uptake. Numerical techniques to incorporate soil heterogeneity. Not open for credit to students who have taken Water Science 200 or course 210. Offered in alternate years.

HYD 212 Evapotranspiration

3 Units
Qtr: III
The Staff

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: course 103.

Review of lower atmosphere properties; introduction to similarity theory; surface roughness parameterization, calculation of energy fluxes, local advection and turbulence measurements will be studied in the field. Not open for credit to students who have completed Water Science 202. Offered in alternate years.

HYD 243 Water resource planning and management

3 Units
Qtr: I
Mariņo

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: course 141 or Civil and Environmental Engineering 142.

Applications of deterministic and stochastic mathematical programming techniques to water resource planning, analysis, design and management. Water allocation, capacity expansion, and reservoir operation. Conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater. Water quality management. Irrigation planning and operation models. (Same course as Biological Systems Engineering 243.) Not open for credit to students who have completed Water Science 206. (Former course Water Science 206.)

HYD 252 Hillslope Geomorphology and Sediment Budgets

4 Units
Qtr: III
Pasternack

Lecture-3 hours; fieldwork-3 hours.

Prerequisite: course 141 or Geology 35 or Civil and Environmental Engineering 142 or consent of instructor.

Exploration of theoretical and empirical foundations of sediment production on hillslopes using computer models and field experiments to promote an understanding of how watersheds evolve naturally and with human impacts. Offered in alternate years.

HYD 256 Geomorphology of Estuaries and Deltas

4 Units
Qtr: III
Pasternack

Lecture-3 hours; fieldwork-3 hours.

Prerequisite: course 141 or Geology 35 or Civil and Environmental Engineering 42 or consent of instructor.

Survey of the processes and landforms associated with sediment deposition in the coastal zone. Application of geomorphic principles to coastal management issues. Offered in alternate years.

HYD 264 Modeling of hydrologic processes

3 Units
Qtr: III
Puente

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: course 141 or the equivalent and Statistics 102 or the equivalent.

Techniques used to model the spatio-temporal structure of rainfall and runoff are introduced. Procedures studied include those based on stochastic point processes, chaos theory, fractal geometry, and fractional noises. Offered in alternate years. (Former course 254.)

HYD 269 Numerical modeling of groundwater systems

3 Units
Qtr: III
Fogg

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: course 145A or Civil Engineering 144 and course 145B, Mathematics 22B.

Finite difference and finite element techniques in modeling groundwater flow and transport. Fundamentals of constructing and calibrating models with hands-on applications. Methods and limitations of numerical solution of transport equations. Model interpretation and ethics. Not open for credit to students who have completed course 220. (Former course 220.)

HYD 273 Introduction to geostatistics

3 Units
Qtr: I
Fogg

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: Statistics 130A and 130B, or the equivalent.

Statistical treatment of spatial data with emphasis on hydrologic problems. Topics include theory of random functions, variogram analysis, Kriging, co-Kriging, indicator geostatistics, and stochastic simulation of spatial variability. Demonstration and use of interactive geostatistical software included. Not open for credit to students who have completed course 230. Offered in alternate years.

HYD 275 Analysis of spatial processes

3 Units
Qtr: III
Puente

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: Statistics 102 or the equivalent; course 273 or Statistics 273A recommended.

Characterization of homogeneous random fields; extremes and spectral parameters; geometry of excursions, local averaging; scale of fluctuation; non-Gaussian and irregular random fields; geostatistical applications. Not open for credit to students who have completed course 255 or Water Science 255. Offered in alternate years.

HYD 290 Seminar in hydrologic science

1 Units
Qtr: III
The Staff

Seminar-1 hour.

Prerequisite: graduate standing and background in Hydrologic Science, consent of instructor.

Seminars and critical review of problems, issues, and research in hydrologic sciences. Oral presentations of research. Topics will vary. May be repeated for credit. (S/U grading only.)

HYD 298 Group study

1-5 Units
Qtr: I, II, III
The Staff

Prerequisite: graduate standing and consent of instructor. (S/U grading only.)

Professional Courses:

HYD 410 OSHA Hazwoper refresher course

1 Units
Qtr: II
Grismer

Lecture-1 hour.

Updates hazardous materials handling information of purposes of keeping certification current. Certification lapses until the refresher course is complete. (P/NP grading only.)

HYD 440 Hazardous waste operations training

3 Units
Qtr: III
Grismer

Lecture-2 hours; laboratory-2 hours.

Prerequisite: upper division standing in College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Forty-hour course designed to meet the requirements of Federal OSHA regulation CFR 1910.120. Covers the health, regulatory, processing and safe handling issues/problems associated with working with hazardous materials. (P/NP grading only.)

SSC 100 Principles of Soil Science

5 Units
Qtr: I
Singer

Lecture-3 hours; laboratory-3 hours; term paper.

Prerequisite: Chemistry 2A-2B, Physics 1A-1B, Biological Sciences 1A; Geology 50, Biological Sciences 1C recommended.

Soil as part of natural and managed ecosystems and landscapes. Solid, liquid, and gas phases and their interactions in the soil. Water, gas and heat movement in soil. Soil biology. Plant nutrient acquisition and use. Soil development, management and use.

SSC 102 Soil and water chemistry

5 Units
Qtr: II
Zasoski

Lecture-3 hours; discussion-1 hour; laboratory-3 hours.

Prerequisite: course 100 or the equivalent.

Soil solution and solid-phase chemistry of soils in relation to agricultural and environmental concerns. Interactions between soil solids, precipitates and solution phases: mineralogy, ion exchange, adsorption, weathering and buffering, soil colloidal behavior, models of solution and solid-phase interactions.

SSC 105 Field Studies of Soil Resources

8 Units
Dahlgren, Singer, Southard

Fieldwork-daily for five weeks, off campus; lecture-1 week, on campus.

Prerequisite: consent of instructor; course 120 recommended.

Study of soils in the field throughout California. Emphasis on identification, description and classification of soils; relation of soils to geology, vegetation, climate and human activities; role of soils in land use and as components of California ecosystems.-Summer.

SSC 107 Soil physics

5 Units
Qtr: I
Rolston, Hopmans

Lecture-3 hours; laboratory-3 hours; discussion-1 hour.

Prerequisite: course 100, Environmental and Resource Sciences 100, Mathematics 16A, or the equivalent.

Physical properties of soil. Principles of water, gas, heat, and solute movement in soil with selected examples related to soil and water management. Influence of soil properties on transfer processes.

SSC 109 Nutrient Cycling and Management

5 Units
Qtr: III

Horwath

Lecture-3 hours; discussion-1 hour; laboratory-3 hours.

Prerequisite: course 100 or the equivalent.

Plant nutrients in soil; effects of fertilizers, cover crops, compost and other amendments on plant productivity and soil quality; nutrient sustainability in alternative agricultural and natural ecosystems; soil fertility assays.

SSC 111 Soil microbiology

4 Units
Qtr: II
Scow

Lecture-3 hours; laboratory-3 hours.

Prerequisite: Chemistry 1C and Biological Sciences 1C.

Major groups of microorganisms in soil, their interrelationships, and their responses to environmental variables. Role of microorganisms in cycling of nutrients. Plant-microbe relationships. Transformations of organic and inorganic pollutants.

SSC 112 Soil Ecology

3 Units
Qtr: I
Scow, Jaffee

Lecture-3 hours; laboratory-3 hours.

Prerequisite: Chemistry 1C and Biological Sciences 1C.

Major groups of microorganisms in soil, their interrelationships, and their responses to environmental variables. Role of microorganisms in cycling of nutrients. Plant-microbe relationships. Transformations of organic and inorganic pollutants.

SSC 118 Soils in land use and the environment

4 Units
Qtr: III
Singer

Lecture-3 hours; discussion-1 hour; one one-day field trip.

Prerequisite: course 100 or consent of instructor.

Soils are considered as elements in land use planning and environmental quality. Topics include: soil survey reports, remote sensing, land capability classification, soil erosion/conservation, waste disposal on soils and soil reclamation.

SSC 120 Soil genesis, morphology, and classification

5 Units
Qtr: III
Southard

Lecture-4 hours; laboratory-3 hours (includes five one-day weekend field trips).

Prerequisite: course 100; Geology 50 recommended.

Recognition and description of soils; chemical, biological and physical processes of soil formation. Factors of soil formation. Interactions of soils with diverse ecosystems. Introduction to soil classification. Practice using soil taxonomy. Practical experience describing soil properties in the field.

SSC 202 Topics in Advanced Soil Chemistry

3 Units
Qtr: III
Zasoski

Lecture/discussion-3 hours.

Prerequisite: course 100, Plant Biology 111B, or consent of instructor.

Reviews of current research in soil chemistry. Topics include double layer theory; clay mineral and oxide surface chemistry; adsorption on soil surfaces; speciation and modeling of solution ions; solubility and mineral stability diagrams. Discussion of current journal articles. May be repeated once for credit when topic differs. Offered in alternate years.

SSC 207 Transport processes in soils

4 Units
Qtr: II
Rolston, Hopmans

Lecture-3 hours; discussion/computer laboratory-2 hours.

Prerequisite: course 107 and Mathematics 22B; knowledge of a computer programming language.

Physical and mathematical description of nonsteady transport processes in soil and the unsaturated zone. Emphasis on analytical and numerical solutions to water, gas, solute (contaminants), and heat transport processes and the chemical and biological reactions attenuating solute movement. Offered in alternate years.

SSC 208 Soil-Plant Interrelationships

3 Units
Qtr: II
Richards

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: Plant Biology 111 or consent of instructor; course 100 recommended.

Plant needs, occurrence and reactions of water and mineral nutrients in soils; root systems and their growth in soils; mass flow and diffusion mechanisms in nutrient acquisition; models relating nutrient uptake to soil and plant characteristics; nutrient assimilation and crop quality. Offered in alternate years.

SSC 211 Advanced soil microbiology

3 Units
Qtr: III
Scow

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: Chemistry 8A-8B; course 111; Biological Sciences 102, 103 or an equivalent course recommended.

Microbial metabolism of organic chemicals in soil, both natural and xenobiotic. Decomposition of organic matter. Kinetics of microbial processes in soil. Offered in alternate years.

SSC 216 Physical geochemistry

3 Units
Qtr: I
Casey

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: course 102 or Chemistry 110A or Geology 115 and Mathematics 119.

First half emphasizes equilibrium thermodynamics, including choices of standard states, ideal solutions, and use of the Gibbs-Duhem relation. Second half covers geochemical kinetics including simple rate laws, transition state theory, solute diffusion, and experimental methods.

SSC 219 Ecosystem biogeochemistry

4 Units
Qtr: III
Dahlgren, Bledsoe

Lecture-3 hours; laboratory/discussion-2 hours.

Prerequisite: introductory courses in ecology/biology and soils recomended; undergraduates accepted with consent of instructor.

Multidisciplinary analysis of energy and nutrient transfers within terrestrial ecosystems. Examination of processes and inter- and intra-system interactions between the atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. Laboratory section uses biogeochemical simulation models to examine case studies. (Same course as Ecology 219).

SSC 220 Pedology

3 Units
Qtr: II
Southard

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: consent of instructor; course 120 recommended.

Topics selected from studies of soil-forming processes, soil-geomorphic relations, mineral weathering, new developments in soil classification, and development of pedologic theory. Topics vary from year to year. May be repeated once for credit. Offered in alternate years.

SSC 222 Organic Chemistry of Soil

3 Units
Qtr: II
Howarth

Lecture-3 hours.

Prerequisite: Chemistry 8A, 8B, Mathematics 16A, 16B, course 100 or the equivalent.

Structure and function of soil organic matter, biochemistry of humic substance formation, relationship of organic matter to nutrient cycling and sustainability in agricultural and natural ecosystems, reactions of organics with humic substances in soil and water, methods for characterization. Offered in alternate years.