Level (check one)                Will this course impact program

X            Undergraduate     requirements?     no            If yes, a

                Graduate                Program Modification must be completed.

Type of course (check all that apply):
                academic skills enhancement            
                honors                          

                writing intensive (WAC)

                university core. __ Engl      __ Hum   __ Math  __ Sci.    __ Soc Sci

                                             MC:    __US               Culture    __ Non-WesternCulture

( to be considered as core curriculum, question 18 must be completed)

The University Of Toledo

NEW COURSE PROPOSAL

 

1.     College:          A & S                                     Department:          EEES

 

2.             Contact Person:    Deb Neher             Phone: 2585           Email: mailto:Deborah.neher@utoledo.edu

 

3.     Alpha/Numeric Code (subject area - number):  EEES – 4260

 

4.     Proposed title:              Soil Ecology Laboratory                                                            

        Proposed effective term:             Spring 2005                                                          

 

5.     Planned enrollment per section:  20  per term: 20

 

6.     Is the course cross-listed with another academic unit?         no        

        Is the course offered at more than one level?         yes      

        If yes to either question, please list additional Alpha/Numeric codes: 

                a.  EEES 5260           b.  __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __            c.  __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __

                Approval of other academic unit (signature)                 

                Name and title       Soil Ecology Laboratory                    

If course is to be offered at more than on level, attach an explanation of the different requirements that students must meet for each level.  If the requirements are the same for each level, justification must be provided.

 

7.     Credit hours: Fixed:      1                or        Variable:                          to                     

 

8.     Delivery Mode:                                            Primary                   Secondary             Tertiary

                a.  Activity Type*                                lab                                                                       

                b.  Credit Hours                                    1                                                                            

                c.  Weekly Contact Hours                  3                                                                            

 

9.     Terms offered:                              Fall        X            Spring                   Summer  

        Years offered:                               Every Year             X          Alternate Years   (odd)

 

10.   Are students permitted to register for more than one section during a term?   X            No           Yes 

        May the course be repeated for credit?     X          No                           Yes                         Maximum Hours

 

11.   Grading system:           Undergraduate                                                                     Graduate

        X    Normal Grading (A-F, PS/NC. PR, I)                                  Normal Grading (A-F, PS/NC. PR, I)     

                Passing Grade/No Credit (A-C, NC)                                  Grade Only (A-F)

                Credit/No Credit                                                                   Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (G only) 

                Grade Only (A-F, PR, I)                                                       Audit only

                Audit only                                                                             No Grade 

                No Grade

12.   Prerequisites (must be taken before):       a.  __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ 

        Co‑requisites (must be taken together): a.  EEES 4250 

 

13.   If course is to replace an existing, course(s) will be deleted, and when should that deletion occur?

                Course to be removed from inventory              Final Term to be offered 

        a.                                                                                                                    

        b.                                                                                                                                                      

 

14.   Catalog description (30 words maximum).

Laboratory exercises designed to complement the material covered in EEES 4250.

 

 

 

 

   15.   Attach a copy of a complete outline of the major topics covered.  (Providing a syllabus that includes this information is acceptable.)

 

  Outline of major topics covered is below.

 

16. Where does this course fit in the University/College/Department curriculum?  (Be specific by course level, if applicable).  Indicate prospective demand.

 

This course provides a hands-on laboratory course to accompany the existing lecture course EEES 4250 Soil Ecology

 

 

 

 

17.   If the proposed course is similar to another course in the College or University, please describe the difference and provide a rationale for the duplication.  (If this course duplicates material covered in another course within your department or college or in another college, attach a letter of endorsement from that area’s dean and department chairperson indicating their support.  Clarify the manner in which this course will differ). 

 

 

No duplication

 

 

18.   If the course is intended to meet a University Undergraduate Core requirement, complete the following:

        a.     Explain how this course fulfills the guidelines established for the competency area identified.  Guidelines are available from Faculty Senate Office, UH 3320, x2112 or x2182.)

 

 

Not applicable

 

 

b.     Identify the intellectual competencies which this course is intended to fulfill: inquiry; communication; understanding mathematical and quantitative concepts; historical consciousness and social awareness; scientific inquiry; values; aesthetic mode of thinking; information acquisition and use.

 

 

 

 

 

c.     How does this course develop the intellectual competencies identified?

 

 

EEES 4260 Soil Ecology Laboratory

 

List of topics to be covered

 

Microscopy (stereo, compound, fluorescent, confocal) and measurements of organisms

Transfer and culture of soil microflora and microfauna

Comparison of methods to quantify soil microbes

a.      dilution plates

b.      direct counts

c.       respiration by chloroform fumigation and extraction (in vitro)

d.      substrate-induced respiration (in vitro)

e.      infrared gas analyzer (in situ respiration)

f.        extracellular enzyme assays

Extraction and enumeration of soil protozoa

Comparison of extraction methods for soil nematodes: Cobb’s sieving & gravity, filter, sucrose flotation

Comparison of extraction methods for soil microarthropods: modified Tullgren versus heptane flotation

Introduction to taxonomic keys

Soil microclimate measurements

Measurements of ecosystem processes including nitrogen availability and decomposition

 

Students will be divided into small groups. Each group will be responsible for performing each type of procedure on their soil. Students will prepare a written report comparing soil types and methods employed.