AG239 SOILS OF THE MIDWEST Course Syllabus - Jenna Moore

Term
Fall 2025
Section
M1
Course Delivery
ln person­[FTF]
Class Program

AG239:

Credits 2
Description
Course examines the foundational principles of soil science and how these principles and practices impact the understanding of soil science and the application to successful crop production. Special emphasis on soils of the Midwest region.

Meeting Times, Location, & Course Delivery Details

Meeting Days:
Tuesday & Thursday
Meeting Times:
9:40-11:10 AM
Location:
CSA 238
Delivery Details

This course meets in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:40–11:10 AM. Class sessions will include a mix of lectures, group discussions, hands-on activities, and multimedia content.

Active participation is expected and strongly encouraged. Students should come to class prepared, having completed any assigned readings or pre-class work. While most instruction will occur during scheduled class periods, supplemental materials and assignments will be posted to Blackboard, which students are expected to check regularly for updates, deadlines, and announcements.

There is no separate laboratory component for this course, but several class activities will involve applied exercises related to soil sampling, survey interpretation, and real-world soil management practices relevant to the Midwest region.

Contact Information

Instructor:
Jenna Moore
Instructor Email:
moore.3172@osu.edu
Office Location:
CSA 134
Office Hours:
Wednesday and Friday 12PM-3:30PM
Course Learning Outcomes

1.0
Upon successful completion of this course...
1. The student will discuss the background on soils around us.
2. The student will describe the formation of soils.
3. The student will explain the productivity of soils.
4. The student will describe the impact of fertility on the cropping systems.
5. The student will define soil profiles.
6. The student will effectively utilize Soil Survey tool.

Course Materials

There is no required textbook for this course. All readings, peer-reviewed articles, and supplemental materials will be provided by the instructor and posted on Blackboard. Students are expected to check Blackboard regularly for updates, reading assignments, and class resources. 

Instructor's Course Objectives
  • Describe the formation, characteristics, and importance of soils in the Midwestern United States.

  • Interpret soil survey data and evaluate how soil properties influence land use and crop production.

  • Demonstrate understanding of basic soil sampling techniques and the use of soil test results in fertility management.

  • Identify key physical, chemical, and biological indicators of soil health.

  • Explain the role of cover crops, amendments, and conservation practices in maintaining and improving soil function.

  • Analyze the relationship between soil and water, including management practices that reduce erosion and improve infiltration.

  • Apply soil science principles to real-world agricultural and environmental decision-making in the Midwest.

Course Schedule

Tentative Schedule: 

WeekDateTopicAssignment

1

19-Aug

Syllabus/ Ohio Weather 

21-Aug

Ohio SoilsAssignment 1: Importance of Soils

2

26-Aug

Soil Survey 

28-Aug

Soil FertilityAssignment 2: Soil Survey

3

2-Sep

Soil Sampling 

4-Sep

Soil DegradationAssignment 3: Soil Sampling

4

9-Sep

Soil Amendments 

11-Sep

Soil & Water ManagementAssignment 4: Soil Amendments

5

16-Sep

Soil Health 

18-Sep

Soil MicrobesAssignment 4: Journal Article

6

23-Sep

Cover Crops 

25-Sep

Soil Conservation PracticesAssignment 5: On-Farm Research Summary

7

30-Sep

Soil Climate Resilience 

2-Oct

Final Exam 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subject to change during the semester. Adequate notice of changes will be given.

Course Assignments

This course includes a variety of assignments designed to reinforce lecture material, connect students to real-world applications, and build critical thinking skills. Assignments include short written reflections, soil survey and sampling exercises, and a research paper review. The final exam, worth 100 points, will assess overall comprehension of course concepts.

Each assignment is weighted according to its complexity and importance to the course objectives. See the table below for a full breakdown:

Assignment

Points

Assignment 1: Importance of Soils20
Assignment 2: Soil Survey20
Assignment 3: Soil Sampling20
Assignment 4: Research Paper Review (Journal Article)20
Assignment 5: On-Farm Research Summary20
Final Exam100
Total200

 

Course Final Exam
October 2nd, 9:40–11:10 AM
Evaluation of Work

The grading scale will be as follows:

Letter Grade

Percentage Range

A100 – 96
A−95.9 – 91
B+90.9 – 88
B87.9 – 85
B−84.9 – 82
C+81.9 – 79
C78.9 – 76
C−75.9 – 72
D+71.9 – 69
D68.9 – 66
FBelow 65.9

Instructor Course Policies

Instructor's Course Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is expected and strongly encouraged in this course. While attendance is not graded directly, it is essential for participating in in-class activities, discussions, and applied assignments, which often cannot be replicated outside of class. Missing class may result in missed opportunities to earn points or fully understand course material.

If you must miss class due to illness, a family emergency, or other extenuating circumstances, please notify me as soon as possible. In some cases, alternative arrangements may be made at the instructor’s discretion, but unexcused or frequent absences may affect your performance in the course.

It is your responsibility to stay caught up on announcements, assignments, and content posted to Blackboard.

Please refer to the current Student Handbook for the college's full Attendance Policy, including guidelines for excused absences. 

Instructor's Academic Integrity Policy

All students are expected to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. This means submitting your own work, properly citing sources, and collaborating only when explicitly permitted. Acts of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, cheating on exams, falsifying data, or unauthorized collaboration, will not be tolerated. 

Any violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action, which may include a zero on the assignment, failure in the course, or referral to the college’s academic conduct board. If you are ever unsure about what constitutes appropriate collaboration or citation, please ask before submitting your work. 

See the current Student Handbook for the college's Academic Integrity policies as they pertain to examinations, plagiarism, classroom behavior, and the process for handling academic misconduct charges. 

Institutional and Program-Level Policies

Final Exam Schedule

All exams will follow the Final Exam Schedule. Students scheduled to take three or more final examinations on one day may request to arrange their examination schedule, so no more than two exams occur on one day.
Requests for early or late exams are considered only under extreme circumstances. Prior to the exam period, the student must file a written request on the Early/Late Exam Form available in the Student One Stop Center, Academic Records, and on the WC portal. The form must be signed by the Instructor and the Academic Dean, approving the alternate exam time. This process must be completed prior to the scheduled exam period.

Undergraduate:  SP25 Final Exam Schedule    Graduate:  

 

Out-of-class Work Expectation

A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work is expected for each hour of in-class time for traditional face-to-face courses. For online and hybrid courses, the combination of face-to-face time and out-of-class work should be equal to 3 hours per credit hour per week.

Instructional Course Delivery                                                                                                            

Definition of Courses

Academic Integrity Policy

The use of generative AI is prohibited except where expressly allowed in assignment instructions.

Academic Integrity Policy

Class Attendance Policy                              

Institutional Class Attendance Policy

Accessibility and Disability Services