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Spring 2012

Each student team will be expected to complete 3 soil projects during the semester. Each project will count 25 points toward the course grade. In addition, a final project assessment worth 25 points will also be submitted at the end of the semester. Additional information on the specifics of these projects will be made available during the semester.

You will be assigned to a team of 3-4 students. Projects must be submitted as a team. PROJECTS SUBMITTED BY INDIVIDUALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED! A list of the teams and their members will be posted here:
SPR2012 Team rosters

Project 1
The purpose of this project is to introduce you to Web Soil Survey, the official documentation for soil survey information in the United States and one of the most detailed terrestrial databases in the world. You will select an area of interest (your home, favorite place, etc.) and look at the existing soil survey information.

To use Web Soil Survey, go to http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov

Instructions for this project and the report format can be accessed here by clicking on either .pdf or .doc format.The project report will be worth 25 points and will be graded according to accuracy, completeness, quality of writing, and professional appearance. All reports are due by 5 pm, Fri. February 10.

Project 2
The purpose of this project is to help you understand how various factors affect soil erosion by using the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model. WEPP is a computer simulation that predicts field-scale erosion using climate, management, soil, and topographic parameters.

To use the Water Erosion Prediction Project simulation, go to
http://milford.nserl.purdue.edu/wepp/weppV1.html

Instructions for this project and the report format can be accessed in either .pdf or .doc format. Each team has an assigned US state – these can be found here. The project report will be worth 25 points and will be graded according to accuracy, completeness, quality of writing, and professional appearance. All reports are due by 5 pm, Wed. March 7.

Project 3
The purpose of this project is to provide a critical evaluation of various soil properties. To do this, you will be utilizing the Official Soil Series web site and the National Cooperative Soil Characterization Database. Each group has an assigned soil series and lab pedon number - these can be found here.

Instructions for this project and the report format can be accessed in either .pdf or .doc format. The project report will be worth 25 points and will be graded according to accuracy, completeness, quality of writing, and professional appearance. All reports are due by 5 pm, Fri. April 20.

Group Project Evaluation
For this assignment, you will evaluate the performance of yourself and your team members during the semester. Instructions are posted here. This assignment will be worth 25 points – your evaluation score (possible of 20 points) plus 5 points for completing and submitting your evaluation. Evaluations must be turned in no later than 5 pm on Friday, April 27th.