Course Materials

PLS 366: Fundamentals of Soil Science (4 credits)

Study of the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils and how these properties relate to plant nutrient availability and plant growth, land- use planning and management issues, and soil and water quality issues.
Lecture, three hours;
laboratory, three hours.

GEN 300: Supervised Experience in College Teaching (3 credits)

Supervised Experience in College Teaching is designed to provide students who have previously taken PLS 366 the opportunity to further refine their understanding of soil science while sharpening their teaching and public speaking skills. Part of the impetus for this course draws from the lack of opportunities for undergraduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related majors to receive formal training in pedagogical concepts prior to either going to graduate school (where they will likely be asked or required to teach), entering into a career in teaching in elementary or post-secondary institutions, or taking on other employment opportunities in which oral communication, interpersonal and problem solving skills are a must. The other part of the impetus comes from several recent studies that site the effectiveness of peer-to-peer or peer-led instruction as a method for helping the student-teacher build upon the concepts they learned while enrolled in the same or similar course while improving their critical thinking and problem solving skills. This course is offered every Fall semester and typically enrolls 4-5 students (one per PLS 366 lab section). Students are selected is based on an application process which can be found HERE and emailed to dave.mcnear@uky.edu.