Class Profiles

Name of Class:
SSC105 - Field Studies of Soils in California Ecosystems

Brief Description: Field-based studies of soils in California ecosystems, away from campus, with travel throughout much of California. Emphasis on description and classification of soils; relationships among soils, vegetation, geology, and climate; physical, chemical, and biological processes active in soils and landscapes; and the role of soils in land use. The course is approximately three weeks in length each summer, and alternates annually between northern and southern California. The class may be repeated once to allow a broad perspective of soils and landscapes throughout California

Instructor(s): Randy Dahlgren, Toby O'Geen, Michael Singer, Randy Southard, and Ron Amundson(UCB)

When is course offered? Summer/Summer Session

How many units? 5

Whys is this course unique? Besides the fact that it is fun camping across the state of California for two weeks, there is no better way to learn about soils, vegetation and the ecosystems in which you live than seeing them in their natural context. We can draw pictures on the blackboard, show you transparencies, slides and Power Point presentations but we can never duplicate what you will see and learn in the field. You will develop confidence in your field skills and your knowledge when you take this class. You will also learn from the wide variety of students that participate in this class, who bring added expertise to the group in areas such as geography, ecology, botany, engineering and geology. Be one of the participants and join students who have taken this special class since it was first offered in the 1930s. For more information contact the instructors.

Visit Class Website:
http://lawr.ucdavis.edu/classes/ssc105