SOS 4303C / 5305C - Syllabus

 

 

Instructor: Andy Ogram, aogram@ufl.edu, 392 1951 EXT 211

 

Assistance: Abid Al Agely, aaag@ufl.edu, 392 1951 EXT 220

 

Office Hours: Following class lecture or by appointment. There is also a web-based forum for dialogue among class participants.

TEXT:

  • Sylvia, D., J. Fuhrman, P. Hartel, and D. Zuberer (eds), Principles and Applications of Soil Microbiology, 2 nd Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall, ISBN: 0-13-094117-4
  • Laboratory Manual (available as a PDF file from the course web site)

DESCRIPTION:

Lectures and additional readings will cover the soil as a habitat for organisms, the taxonomy and biology of the soil organisms, the fundamentals of nutrient cycles, symbiotic associations, and bioremediation. 

GOALS:

To gain knowledge of the occurrence and activities of soil microorganisms and their influence on soil productivity and environmental quality. This course is targeted at advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students who require a comprehensive treatment of the field of soil microbiology.

FORMATS:

3-credit course taught fall semesters in two formats:

On-campus: two lectures (Tues. & Thurs., 11:45-12:35 AM) and one lab (Mon., 4:00-5:55 PM, 2186 McCarty) per week. Off-campus: web-based lecture notes, readings, and threaded discussions. This option is only available to off-campus students. REGISTRATION DETAILS

REQUIREMENTS:

Payment of tuition, World Wide Web access, and the following minimum computer hardware and software—Pentium 150 MHz with 32 MB RAM and 250 MB available hard disk space, SVGA monitor, 28.8 kb modem (v3.4), Windows 95 operating system, and current version of Internet Explorer or Netscape. Off-campus students also need to identify an Exam Administrator.

Prerequisites: Introductory Soil Science, Biology, or Microbiology.

RESOURCES:

Both the on-campus and off-campus sections rely on interactive computer technologies. Registered students will use their gator link user name and password to access the course homepage located at WebCT Vista 

The course web site has links to:

  • Detailed lecture and laboratory schedule with associated readings
  • Copies of all presentations and handouts used in lecture and laboratory
  • Distance education supplement for students taking the course via the web
  • Supplementary reference materials (some with PDF downloadable files)
  • Discussion forum
  • Glossary of terms
  • Related on-line resources

Grading Basis:

Three exams at 25% each:

75%

Two lab reports at 10% each

20%

Class participation:

5%

Optional comprehensive final exam

Replace the lowest grade

 

Note: separate exams will be administered to SOS 4303 and SOS 5305 students; additional questions amounting to approximately 20% of the total points will be required of SOS 5305 students. These questions will test a deeper understanding of the general concepts than would be expected of SOS 4303 students.

Grading Scale:

A

> 90

B+

89 - 87

B

86 - 80

C+

79 - 77

C

76 - 70

D+

69 - 67

D

66 - 60

E

< 60

Student Responsibilities:

Students are expected to attend lectures and laboratories, and participate in an online bulletin board.  Attendance in the laboratory is especially critical because it is difficult, if not impossible, to make up missed exercises.  Exams and assignments are due as follows.  Make-up exams will only be given to those with a valid and documented excuse

Academic Honesty:

As a result of completing the registration form at the University of Florida, every student has signed the following statement: “I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to be honest in all their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University .”

Software Use:

All faculty, staff and students of the University are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing software use. Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator. Because such violations are also against University policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taking as appropriate .

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:

Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation.

UF Counseling Services:

Resources are available on-campus for students having personal problems or lacking clear career and academic goals, which interfere with their academic performance. These resources include:

*  University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575, personal and career counseling;
*  Student Mental Health, Student Health Care Center, 392-1171, personal counseling;
*  Sexual Assault Recovery Services, Student Health Care Center, 392-1161, sexual assault counseling; and
*  Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career development assistance and counseling.

We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.