SYLLABUS

Credits: 3 credits

Class Schedule: TBA

Access to Lehotsky Hall after 4:30 pm:
You can access Lehotsky Hall after 4:30 pm using the door, located in the breeze-way between Barre Hall and Lehotsky Hall.

Instructors: 

Dr. Elena Mikhailova
Professor of Soil Science
Clemson University
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
216 Lehotsky Halll
Clemson, SC 29634-0359
Phone:864-656-3535
Email: eleanam@clemson.edu
Office hours: By appointment.

Dr. Christopher Post
Professor of Environmental Information Science
Clemson University
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
218 Lehotsky Halll
Clemson, SC 29634-0359
Tel: 864-656-6939
Email: cpost@clemson.edu

Course Description: Students work on soil inventory of private lands to create soil management plans using Web Soil Survey, GIS, Clemson Agricultural Service Laboratory analysis, and statistical software. Individual projects are developed by the students and faculty interaction and are not completed in group settings. Anticipated student learning outcomes include the ability to use cutting edge spatial research tools, including Web Soil Survey, GIS and statistical software, as well as the ability to synthesize information to develop soil management recommendations. Electronic posters, typically presented at the Clemson Creative Inquiry forum (as well as at the national meetings) are used as artifacts for ePortfolio. Students are encouraged to sign up for 2 credits in the Fall, and 1 credit in the Spring semesters.

Prerequisites: FNR 204 or permission of the Instructor.

Course Learning Outcomes: Students will work on soil inventory of private lands to create soil management plans using Web Soil Survey, GIS, Clemson Agricultural Service Laboratory analysis, and statistical software. Individual projects will be developed by the students and faculty interaction and will not completed in group settings. Anticipated student learning outcomes include the ability to use cutting edge spatial research tools, including Web Soil Survey, GIS and statistical software, as well as the ability to synthesize information to develop soil management recommendations. Electronic posters, typically presented at the Clemson Creative Inquiry forum (as well as at the national meetings) are used as artifacts for ePortfolio.

Attendance Policy: You are expected to attend every meeting unless classes have been officially canceled by the University.  Attendance will be recorded at every meeting and it is used in grade calculation (see Grading Policy). Students who miss class meetings (without an official excuse, e.g. doctor's note etc.) will be dropped from the course. 

Email: Please check your Clemson email address at least once a day for potential messages dealing with this course. Do not forward your Clemson mail to another account (Yahoo, AOL, etc.) as those accounts tend to have issues like full in-boxes and limitations on attachments.

Special Needs: Please see me privately if you have special needs in this course.

Reading Text(s):

• Soil Science and Management by Edward J. Plaster (4th Edition) is optional (please make sure you get the fourth edition). Several copies of these textbook are available from the library.

• Laboratory Exercises for Soil Information Systems by Dr. Elena A. Mikhailova and Dr. Christopher J. Post.  Available via Amazon.com.  This is required and it will not be possible to take this course without this laboratory manual.  It is not possible to share a laboratory manual.  Purchasing link http://www.amazon.com/Laboratory-Exercises-Soil-Information-Systems/dp/1466200502/ref=pd_rhf_p_img_3

Laboratory and Assignments: There will be laboratory and/or assignments except when noted by the instructor.

Grading Policy in the Fall:

Grading Policy in the Spring:

Grading Scale:

Clemson University Academic Integrity Statement: "As members of the Clemson University community, we have inherited Thomas Green Clemson's vision of this institution as a 'high seminary of learning.' Fundamental to this vision is a mutual commitment to truthfulness, honor and responsibility, without which we cannot earn the trust and respect of others. Furthermore, we recognize that academic dishonesty detracts from the value of a Clemson degree. Therefore, we shall not tolerate lying, cheating, or stealing in any form. In instances where academic standards may have been compromised, Clemson University has a responsibility to respond appropriately and expeditiosly to charges of violations of academic integrity."

"When in opinion of a faculty member, there is evidence that a student has committed an act of academic dishonesty, the faculty member shall make a formal written charge of academic dishonesty including a description of the misconduct, to the Dean of the Graduate School. At the same time, the faculty member may, but is not required to, inform privately the student charged of the nature of the allegation."

Clemson University defines academic dishonesty as follows:

1. "Academic dishonesty includes giving, receiving or using unauthorized aid on any academic work.

2. Plagiarism, a form of academic dishonesty, includes the copying of language, structure or ideas of another and attributing the work to one's own efforts.

3. All academic work submitted for grading contains an implicit pledge and may contain, at the request of the instructor, an explicit pledge by the student that no unauthorized aid has been received.

4. Academic dishonesty includes attempts to copy, edit or delete computer files that belong to another person or use of Computer Center account numbers that belong to another person without the permission of the file owner, account owner or file number owner."

Final Examinations/Final Papers: "The standing of a student in his/her work at the end of a semester is based upon final papers, daily class work, tests or other work, and final examinations. Faculty members may excuse from the final examination all students having the grade A on the coursework prior to the final examination. For all other students, final examinations must be given or due on the dates and at the times designated in the fianl examination schedule, except in laboratory and one-credit hour courses where the final exam will be given at the last class meeting."

Retention of Examinations: "Clemson University faculty who exercise their right to retain student examinations are required to retain those examinations on file for the 90 (ninety) calendar day duration (exclusive of summer) allocated for final grade protests in the form of academic grievances."

Posting of Grades: "The United States Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits the public distribution of grades or graded work. This is commonly understood to include posting grades by student names, initials, or student social security number. It also is understood to include placing of graded material in a public place where students go through the material to find their own graded work."

Disability Access Statement from the Office of Student Disability Services: “It is University policy to provide, on a flexible and individualized basis, reasonable accommodations to students who have disabilities.  Students are encouraged to contact Student Disability Services to discuss their individual needs for accommodation.”

"Student Disability Services coordinates the provision of reasonable accommodations for students with physical, emotional, or learning disabilities. Accommodations are individualized, flexible, and confidential based on the nature of the disability and the academic environment in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Students are encouraged to consult with the Disability Services staff early in the semester, preferably prior to the first day of class. Current documentation of a specific disability from a licensed professional is needed. Additional information or appointments are available from Student Disability Services, G-23 Redfern Health Center, 656-6848. Details on policies and procedures are available at www.clemson.edu/asc." 

The Director of Student Health Services reminds students that it is not responsible behavior to expose classmates to infectious diseases.

Copyright Statement: "Materials in some of the courses are copyrighted.  They are intended for use only by students registered and enrolled in a particular course and only for instructional activities associated with and for the duration of the course.  They may not be retained in another medium or disseminated further.  They are provided in compliance with the provisions of the Teach Act.  Students should be reminded to refer to the Use of Copyrighted Materials and “Fair Use Guidelines” policy on the Clemson University website for additional information:  http://www.lib.clemson.edu/copyright/"

Equal Opportunity Statement: "The Clemson University Title IX (Sexual Harassment) statement must be included: Clemson University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status, genetic information or protected activity in employment, educational programs and activities, admissions and financial aid. This includes a prohibition against sexual harassment and sexual violence as mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. This policy is located at http://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/campus-services/access/titleix/. Mr. Jerry Knighton is the Clemson University Title IX Coordinator. He also is the Director of Access and Equity. His office is located at 110 Holtzendorff Hall, 864.656.3184 (voice) or 864.565.0899 (TDD)."