Soil Biology Laboratory   

Christopher Blackwood

Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University

TEACHING

Dr. Blackwood regularly teaches General Microbiology and Soil Biology.

Soil Biology, BSCI 4/5/70195, Fall 2009, Tuesday and Thursday 11 am – 12:15 pm

The activity of soil organisms supports global and local nutrient cycles, aboveground biological communities, and ecosystem development.  Soil is therefore a critical resource wherever we manage ecosystems with a terrestrial component, including in agriculture, conservation, watershed protection, and forestry.  In this course we will see how soils sustain life through exploration of the ecology of soil organisms, including microbes, plants, and animals.  Physical and chemical aspects of soil will also be introduced to provide the basis of understanding this unique environment and how it relates to the broader terrestrial ecosystem.

This is an advanced undergraduate/graduate level course with few prerequisites.  Soil Biology is a highly interdisciplinary science, and the course benefits from students bringing a wide variety of educational and personal experiences.  For example, students are welcome from backgrounds in molecular biology or conservation, as well as other fields.  Group projects and discussions draw on all of these areas of expertise.  In addition to traditional tests, the course involves written reports and presentations because they are essential skills for success in any field.