Physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur within soil systems. Types of soils and how these relate to soil formation. Major components of soil, including soil water, minerals, organic matter, and microorganisms. Soils in wetlands and arid regions. Cycling of nutrients and contaminants in soils. Soil quality,conservation, and sustainability. Two one-day field trips required.

This course is designed for undergraduate majors and minors in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences to master fundamentals of mineralogy and their context within sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks, including an introduction to mineral resources and the role of minerals and mineral resources in current environmental issues. The course will provide fundamentals of mineralogy and crystallography, important mineral groups, and foundations of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rock systems. It will provide an overview and lab demo of the modern analytical methods used in mineralogy. The course includes lecture (three hours per week) and a lab component (two hours per week).