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Principles of Soil Management unit (ZAB224)

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Unit year 2025

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Location: Online

Please note ZAB224 will be offered for the last time in 2025. If you're interested in this unit we encourage you to enrol today.

Introduction

In this unit you will learn how soil characteristics including physical, chemical and biological properties underpin and inform the development and implementation of soil management strategies. You will  investigate how soil health, plant productivity and ecosystem services can be influenced by land use, management practices and agricultural production activities. You will also explore how effective and sustainable soil management strategies can maintain and improve soil form and function in different ecological landscapes.

This unit also incorporates learning through practice by exposing you to authentic learning experiences. These experiences are placed at the centre of learning and assessment to provide you with opportunities to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary to respond to industry, community and/or global needs. 

Through a range of learning experiences you will be introduced to:

  • methods, practices and approaches relative to sustainable soil management;
  • comparative analysis of soils to identify opportunities and limitations for agricultural production;
  • ways of understanding problems associated with soil management and developing solutions.

Summary

Unit name Principles of Soil Management
Unit code ZAB224
Credit points 12.5
College/School University College
Discipline Pathways
Coordinator Doctor Suzie Jones
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Intermediate

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Online Semester 1 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 1 23/2/2025 24/3/2025 13/4/2025 31/5/2025

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2025 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2025 will be available from the 1st October 2024. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain how soil characteristics underpin and inform management strategies.
  • Evaluate the impact of agricultural production activities on soil characteristics.
  • Develop strategies that maintain and improve soil form and function in different ecological landscapes.
  • Evaluate uptake and adoption of sustainable soil management strategies and practices.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
050101 $578.00 $578.00 not applicable $3,221.00
  • Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
  • HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

ZAB203

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

On-campus students: 8 x online 1 to 2 hour tutorials; 1 x half day online workshop; 2 optional Course-wide field trips are conducted.

Off-campus students: 8 x online 1 to 2 hour tutorials; 1 x half day online workshop per semester. 2 optional Course-wide field trips are conducted.

AssessmentAT 1: Soil Characterisation (25%)|AT2: Soil Management Scenario Analysis (30%)|AT3: Soil management case study (45%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Required readings will be provided by the Unit Coordinator.
Recommended

Recommended readings will be provided by the Unit Coordinator. 

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.