ASU-INS 03

Series No. 020306

Date: April 28, 2021

AKLAN STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Agriculture, Forestry and Environmental Sciences
Banga, Aklan

Course Syllabus in Soil Science 1 – Principles of Soil Science

Program: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
Date of Effectivity: First Semester, AY 2025 - 2026
Date Revised: August 4, 2025

I. INSTITUTIONAL VISION, MISSION, GOALS AND CORE VALUES

Vision : The Innovative University for sustainable futures

Mission : Progressive and Transformative Education

Research for Impact
Inclusive Community Engagement
Mainstreamed Technological Advancements
Excellence in Service Delivery

Goals : 1. Advancing Smart and Universal Education

2. Engage/produce high-impact research with strong local and global partnerships through collaboration and innovation.
3. Provide innovative, evidence-based solutions that drive sustainable growth, enhance quality of life, and foster inclusive
development.
4. Contribute and sustain resource generation projects to support the needs of the University.
5. Deliver excellent services to various stakeholders through continuous system.

Core Values : Integrity, Resiliency, Inclusivity, Stewardship, Excellence

II. COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES GOALS

Goals : Carry out responsive academic programs, support systems, proactive faculty and staff, and relevant student services addressing industry needs particularly in the field
of agriculture, forestry and food technology.
Advance relevant research-based technologies in agriculture, forestry/natural resources and food technology towards social welfare and sustained ecological
services and provide gender-responsive services to partner communities.
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Foster strong linkages for internationalization of the different programs

Enhance implementation of production and entrepreneurial projects of the College.
Sustain collaboration through private-public partnership for inclusive growth and development

III. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

1.To provide relevant instruction, state of the art infrastructures, competent support systems for dynamic learning opportunities and experiences towards academic excellence.
2.To educate students in the scientific habit of thought and entrepreneurial skills competencies in technical agriculture.
3.To train students the processes and techniques of identifying, diagnosing and analyzing problems in agriculture and related disciplines.
4.To develop student skills and abilities in designing, packaging and applying technologies needed in the development and conservation of the agriculture and food system
resources.
5.To strengthen desirable values and ethics necessary for agriculture professionals.

IV. PROGRAM OUTCOMES

After completion of the program, the students shall have the ability to:

1. Common to all programs in all types of school, the BS in Agriculture Program graduates shall have the ability to:
a Articulate and discuss the latest developments in the specific field of practice (PQF level 6 descriptor);
b Effectively communicate orally and in writing;
c Work effectively and independently in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams (PQF level 6 descriptor);
d Act in recognition of professional, social, and ethical responsibilities;
e Preserve and promote “Filipino historical and cultural heritage” (based on RA 7722);

2. Common to all in agriculture discipline

f Create, generate and share knowledge as it apply to specific problems in the discipline
g Formulate sustainable and productive agricultural development plans and programs
h Apply scientific method in the conduct of research activities
i Understand and apply the concepts of agricultural productivity and sustainability in the context of national, regional and global development

3 Specific to sub-discipline and a major

. j Engage in agricultural production and post- production activities
k Promote sound agricultural technologies to various clients and in the manpower development for agriculture
l. Employ relevant tools in information technology in solving agriculture- related problems
m. Participate in the generation of new knowledge or in research and development projects; and
n. Show competencies in supporting “ national, regional and local development plan (RA 7722 )
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V. COURSE SPECIFICATION

Course Code and Title : Soil Science 1 – Principles of Soil Science

Prerequisites : None
Co-Requisites : None
Course Credit/Unit : 3 units (2 hrs lec; 3 hrs lab)
Course Description : Nature and properties of soils; soil nutrient elements, their availability measurement and evaluation; maintenance and improvement
of soil fertility and productivity

VI. COURSE OUTCOMES (CO) AND RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM OUTCOMES

I. Program Outcomes II. Program III. Program Outcomes

Common to All Programs Outcomes Common Specific to sub-
CO At the end of the course, the students be able to: in All Types of Schools to all in agriculture discipline and a major
discipline
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n
1 Recognize the various composition, nature, formation and classification of soil P P I I,P I,P I,P I I I I I I I I
2 Identify and discuss the basic physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil in relation to crop P P I I,P I,P I,P I I P P I P P P
production, soil fertility and environmental management
3 Discuss the mechanics of soil erosion and the factors affecting their occurrence among the various P PD P I,P I,P P P P P P I I P P
ecosystems in the environment
4 Identify and characterize the various mechanical and vegetative measures in controlling erosion D PD PD P P,D P,D P,D P P P P I P P
5 Value the importance of soil health in relation to agricultural production and climate change I,P P P I,P D P,D P,D P D P P I P D
6 Develop skills in proper fertilizer and soil amendments application towards effective soil management I,P P P I,P D P,D P,D P D D P P D D
and conservation

Legend:

I – Introduced : The student gets introduced to concepts/principles.

P – Practiced : The student practices the competencies with supervision.
D – Demonstrated : The student practices the competencies across different settings with minimal supervision.
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VII. OUTCOMES-BASED TEACHING AND LEARNING (OBTL) PLAN

TIME
ASSESSMENT
INTENDED LEARNING FRAME
COURSE TEACHING LEARNING
OUTCOMES TOPICS TASK(S) PERFOR-MANCE TARGET EVALUA- RECOM-
OUT-COMES ACTIVITIES (TLA)
(ILO) WK# HRS TION MENDATION
RESULT
After completion of the Vision, Mission, and Core 1 5 Information inquiry Activity:
lesson, the students must Values At least 90% of students
be able to: a. The University Students will be submit a clear, coherent, and
Vision, Mission, required to write a 1–2 well-organized 1–2 page
1.1 Internalize the vision, and Core Values page reaction/reflection reaction paper that fully
mission of the University b. The Program paper that reflects addresses all required
and the institutional, Outcomes personal understanding, components, demonstrates
program and course c. The Course internalization, deep understanding, personal
outcomes. Outcomes evaluation, and reflection, and specific
d. The Grading system commitment to the commitment statements, with
University’s Vision, minimal
Mission, Institutional grammatical/formatting errors,
and Course Outcomes, on or before the deadline.
and Grading System.

After the completion of Unit 1: Course Overview 2-4 15 CO1 Lecture-discussion Mastery Test/Quiz 80 % of the students obtain a
the lesson, the students and Introduction Brainstorming Laboratory Exercise No. passing mark in all evaluations
shall be able to: PowerPoint 1: The Soil Profile given.
1.1 Definition, composition, presentation
1.1 Define soil, identify formation, functions, Reading assignments
and characterize the and ecosystem services Conduct of laboratory
basic components, and of soil. exercise
the development of the
soil.
1.2. Recognize the
importance of soil as a
medium for plant growth
and as a natural resource.
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1.1 Distinguish the Unit 2: Physical 5-7 15 CO2 Lecture-discussion Mastery Test/Quiz 80 % of the students obtain a
various physical Properties of the Soil Brainstorming Group Reflection Paper passing mark in all evaluations
components and their PowerPoint Laboratory Exercise No. given.
effects/contributions on 2.1 Definition of Physical presentation 2: Soil Texture
soil properties Properties Reading assignments Laboratory Exercise No.
2.2 Soil texture Problem-solving 3: Soil Densities and
2.3 Soil structure exercises Related Basic Soil
2.4 Soil densities Conduct of laboratory Properties
2.5 Soil water exercise
2.6 Soil consistency and
color

1.1 Distinguish the Unit 3: Chemical 8-10 15 CO2 Lecture-discussion Mastery Test/Quiz 80 % of the students obtain a
various chemical Properties of the Soil Brainstorming Group Reflection Paper passing mark in all evaluations
components and their 3.1 Soil Colloids PowerPoint Case Study given.
effects/contributions on 3.2 Silicate Clays presentation Laboratory Exercise No.
soil properties 3.3 Organic colloids Reading assignments 4: Soil Reaction and Its
3.4 Cation exchange Problem-solving Relation to Soil Nutrient
capacity exercises Status
3.5 Soil pH Conduct of laboratory
3.6 Liming exercise
3.7 Soil salinity and sodicity

MIDTERM EXAMINATION 11 3 Coverage: Units 1-3

1.1 Distinguish the Unit 4: Soil Organisms and 12-14 15 CO2 Lecture-discussion Mastery Test/Quiz 80 % of the students obtain a
various biological Organic Matter Brainstorming Group Reflection Paper passing mark in all evaluations
components and their Case Study given.
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effects/contributions to 4.1 Kinds of soil organisms: PowerPoint Laboratory Exercise No.

soil properties. microorganisms and presentation 5: Soil Flora and Fauna
macroorganisms Reading assignments Observation
4.2 Bacteria: characteristics Demonstration
and classification Conduct of laboratory
4.3 Actinomycetes exercise
4.4 Fungi
4.5 Beneficial activities of
soil organisms
4.6 Composition of organic
matter; carbohydrates,
protein, lignins, fats, waxes
4.7 Organic matter
decomposition

1.1 Develop awareness of Unit 5: Soil Erosion and 15 5 CO3 Lecture-discussion Mastery Test/Quiz 80 % of the students obtain a
the state of soil Degradation Brainstorming Group Reflection Paper passing mark in all evaluations
degradation in the 5.1 Introduction PowerPoint Case Study given.
country. 5.2 Importance of soil presentation Laboratory Exercise No.
erosion management. Reading assignments 6: Land Utilization and
5.3 Statistics of soil erosion Conduct of laboratory Soil Degradation
surface run-off rates. exercise

1.1 Characterize, identify, Unit 6: Impact of Soil 16 5 CO4 Lecture-discussion Mastery Test/Quiz 80 % of the students obtain a
and discuss the impact of Erosion and Conservation Brainstorming Group Reflection Paper passing mark in all evaluations
soil erosion in forest, Management Across PowerPoint Case Study given.
grassland, aquatic, and Ecosystems presentation Group Assignment
agroecosystems. 6.1 Grassland Reading assignments
6.2 Forest/Watershed
6.3 Aquatic
6.4 Agroecosystem
.

1.1 Identify the Unit 7: Soil Health and 17 5 CO5 Lecture-discussion Mastery Test/Quiz 80 % of the students obtain a
contribution of soil health Climate Change Brainstorming Group Reflection Paper passing mark in all evaluations
7.1 Soil Health Group Assignment given.
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to carbon sequestration 7.2 Climate Change PowerPoint

and climate change presentation
Reading assignments

1.1 Identify the Unit 8: Soil Fertility 18 5 CO6 Lecture-discussion Mastery Test/Quiz 80 % of the students obtain a
characteristics and Management Brainstorming Group Reflection Paper passing mark in all evaluations
importance of fertilizer 8.1 The need for soil PowerPoint Laboratory Exercise No. given.
application management amendment application presentation 7: Fertilizer Materials
in soil conservation. 8.2 Types and proper uses Reading assignments Collection and
of fertilizer and soil Problem-solving Identification
amendments exercises
Conduct of laboratory
exercise

FINAL EXAMINATION 19 3
Total 19 95

VIII. GRADING PLAN

Quiz 20%
Term Exam (Mid-Term and Final) 25%
Laboratory Report/Project/Paper 20%
Laboratory Performance 15%
Class interaction 10%
Attendance 10%
Total 100%

1. Quiz – 60% passing percentage, Quiz equivalent /percentage =score/no. of items* 50+50
2. Class interaction/participation

Indicator Rating
Answers the question correctly at all times 100
Answer the question correctly most of the time 87
Answer the question correctly sometimes 75
Seldom answer the question correctly 74
Never answer the question correctly 72
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3. Project/Laboratory Report
Overall content and accuracy of the report 50
Originality of the discussion and reference materials 25
Quality and punctuality of submission 25

4. Laboratory Performance
Punctuality and attendance 50
Cleanliness and workmanship 25
Independent learning and shows cooperation 25

4.1 Reporting/Library Reading

Relevance of the discussion to the topic assigned 50
Visual material clarity and overall quality 25
Question answered to the class after the report 25

5. Midterm and Final Exam

60% passing percentage = Score/No of items x 50 + 50

6. Attendance
Total no. of days present/no. of days required for the term x 50 + 50
Three consecutive absences will result in a warning notice for the student concerned.

Performance Target: 80% of the class will get a passing grade

IX. LEARNING RESOURCES

A. Required Textbooks and References

1. Blanco, H and Lal, R. (2010). Principles of Soil Conservation and Management, Springer,London
2. Brady, N.C. and R.R. Weil. (2016). The nature and properties of soils. 13th edition. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. 881 pp.
3. Havlin, J.,Tisdale, S.L., W.L. Nelson, and J.D. Beaton (2013) Soil Fertility and Fertilizers. 8th Ed Collier-Macmillan.
4. Magdoff, F.R. and R.R. Weil (2004) Soil organic matter in sustainable agriculture. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. 416 pp
5. Safdar,J., Atif, B., Irshrad, and Ahmad, N.( 2017) Soil and Water Conservation.
6. USDA (2017) Soil Survey Manual

B. Supplementary Materials
1.DITZLER, C. , SCHEFFE K. , and H.C. MONGER. 2017. Soil survey manual. USDA Handbook 18. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
2.FOSTER, S., URBANOWITZ, S., GATZKE, H., and SCHULTZ, B. 2016. Soil Properties, Part 3 of 3: Chemical Characteristics, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, Fact Sheet FS-
16-02
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C. Learning Equipment/Materials
1. References Materials 6. Handouts
2. Lecture Guide 7. LCD Projector
3. Facebook Connection 8. Laptop
4. Activity Sheets 9. Library Facilities
5. PPT 10. E-copy (Online Exercises)

D. Innovative Tools and Technology Integration

1. Canva (Learning Materials and PowerPoint Presentation Making) 4. Turnitin (for students output originality checking)
2. Online Grammar Checker Tools (Grammarly) 5. AI Tools (Gemini, Copilot, ChatGPT, Perplexity.ai)
3. Mendeley (for Citing) 6. Google Meet, Classroom, Docs, Drive

X. COURSE POLICIES AND STANDARDS

1. Regular attendance and active participation in all class sessions are required to successfully pass the course.
2. Written examinations, oral reports, and laboratory/field activities are integral components of assessment and must be completed as scheduled.
3. Students are expected to demonstrate professionalism at all times, including respect, punctuality, and a positive work ethic.
4. Field and laboratory projects must be satisfactorily completed, with outputs submitted on time and meeting quality standards.

XI. CLASSROOM POLICIES

1. Students are expected to maintain a respectful and conducive learning environment. Disruptive behavior—including inappropriate use of mobile phones, unrelated conversations, or any
form of disrespect—will not be tolerated.
2. Academic integrity must be strictly observed. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of dishonesty in examinations, assignments, and reports will result in disciplinary action, which may include
a failing mark.
3. Students are responsible for maintaining cleanliness and orderliness in the classroom and laboratory. The principle of “Clean as You Go (CLAYGO)” shall be observed at all times to
ensure a safe and comfortable learning space.

XII. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

1. Evacuation plans and safety instructions are posted in visible areas of the building; students are expected to familiarize themselves with these.
2. Any accidents or injuries occurring during class or laboratory sessions must be reported immediately to the instructor.
3. Medical assistance can be sought at the University Clinic, which is available for emergency response.
4. Campus Security is available 24/7 and may be contacted in case of safety concerns or emergencies..

XIII. SUGGESTIONS FOR SUCCESS

1. Develop the habit of reviewing lessons regularly and preparing ahead for class discussions.
2. Actively participate in classroom and laboratory activities, as engagement enhances learning.
3. Submit all requirements promptly and adhere to agreed deadlines.
4. Share your ideas, insights, and perspectives—especially those related to agricultural development—during class discussions.
5. Seek academic consultation during the instructor’s office hours for guidance, clarifications, or concerns about your progress in the course.
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XIV. SUGGESTIONS FROM STUDENTS

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XV. COMMENTS (Guest Observer/Program Chair/Department Chair/Dean)

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Prepared by:

Name of Faculty : NEIL ADRIAN R. ALEGRIA

Office and Location : Plant Science Department, CAFES
Office Tel/Mobile No. : (036) 272-7137 / 09761669487
Consultation Schedule : Wednesday 3:00 – 5:00 PM, Friday 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Contact Information : [email protected]

Evaluated by: Approved:

RUBY M. BESANA, PhD EVA R. ORLINA, PhD

Department/Program Chairperson Dean