Department of Soil Science UG Courses

Sl. No.	Discipline	No. of Courses	Credit Hours
1.	Soil Science & Agrl. Chemistry	4 + 1* + 2** + 1***	10 + 1* + 4** + 10***
2.	Biochemistry	1	3
3.	Agrl. Microbiology	2 + 2** + 1***	5 + 4** + 10***
4.	Environmental Science	2 + 1***	5 + 10***
5.	Project	1	1

* RSG, ** Optional Course, *** Experiential learning course

Sl.No.	Title of the Course	Credit hours
1.	RSG 101 Geo-informatics for precision farming	1+0
	Total	1

Sl.No.	Title of the Course	Credit hours
1.	SAC 202 Problematic soils and their management	2+0
	Total	2

Sl.No.	Title of the Course	Credit hours
1.	Designer fertilizer production	1+1
2.	Rejuvenation of Deteriorated lands	1+1
3.	Soil less crop production	1+1
4.	Instrumental methods of analysis	1+1
5.	Crop and pesticide chemistry	1+1
	Total	2

Sl.No.	Title of the Course	Credit hours
1.	On Farm Advisory for soil health, water quality & Plant Nutrition	0+10
	Total	10

Sl. No.	Title of the Course	Credit hours
1.	SAC 101 Fundamentals of Soil Science	2+1
	Total	3

Sl. No.	Title of the Course	Credit hours
1.	SAC 201 Soil Resource Inventory	1+1
	Total	2

Sl. No.	Title of the Course	Credit hours
1.	SAC 301 Manures, Fertilizers and Soil Fertility Management	2+1
	Total	3

Sl.No.	Title of the Course	Credit hours
1.	BIC 101 Fundamentals of Plant Biochemistry	2+1
	Total	3

Sl.No.	Title of the Course	Credit hours
1.	AGM 201 Fundamentals of Microbiology	2+1
	Total	3

Sl.No.	Title of the Course	Credit hours
1.	AGM 301 Soil and Applied Microbiology	1+1
	Total	3

Sl.No.	Title of the Course	Credit hours
1.	Downstream processing for industrially important Microbial Products	1+1
2.	Microbial Enzymes	1+1
3.	Microbial quality and safety of foods	1+1
4.	Plant – Microbe interaction	1+1
5.	Quality Control of Bio-inoculants	1+1
	Total	2

Sl.No.	Title of the Course	Credit hours
1.	Bio-agents and Bio-fertilizer production	0+10
	Total	10

Sl.No.	Title of the Course	Credit hours
1.	ENS 201 Environmental studies & Disaster Management	2+1
	Total	3

Sl.No.	Title of the Course	Credit hours
1.	ENS 301 Environmental Pollution and management	1+1
	Total	2

Sl.No.	Title of the Course	Credit hours
1.	Composting technology	0+10
	Total	10

1. 1. Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
   • Knowledge and Understanding: Identify soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Understand the chemistry of soil degradation processes and methods of reclaiming problematic soils. Understand best management practices for reclaimed soils.
   • Intellectual Analytical and Cognitive Skills: Standardization of solutions. Use the concepts of soil chemistry to explain problematic soils and their restoration. Enhance mathematical skills and ability to use mathematical equations for reclamation of problematic soils.
   • Subject- Specific Skills: Measurement of soil physical properties. Soil amendment requirements for reclamation of problematic soils according to set goals. Identify hazards associated with irrigation water including salinity, sodicity, and toxicity hazards.
   • Transferable Key Skills: Manage problematic soils related to chemical processes at the farm Manage low quality irrigation water in a manner that ensure agricultural sustainability.
   2. Agricultural Microbiology
   • Knowledge and Understanding: Knowledge on instruments in microbiology and Knowledge on Isolation of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes. Understand the characteristic nature of microorganisms and their role in the environment and soil. Understand the production process of biofertilizers
   • Intellectual Analytical and Cognitive Skills: Preparation of media and various reagents for isolation and various analysis. Mass production and method of application of biofertilizers to the crop plants.
   • Subject- Specific Skills: Specific skill in handling microorganisms and apply the role of microorganisms in soil and environment. Skill development in microbiological techniques.  Production techniques of various biofertilizers.   Practical  methods of applications of different biofertilizers
   • Transferable Key Skills: The laboratory techniques of microbiology and the production techniques. Developing fermented food products.  Application methods of biofertilizers.
   3. Environmental Sciences
   • Knowledge and Understanding: Knowledge on waste water treatment technology and solid waste management. Understand the characteristics of different pollutant and its impact on soil, water, plant and atmosphere.
   • Intellectual Analytical and Cognitive Skills: Preparation of different molar and percent solution and various reagents for various analysis. Specific skill in handling of different instruments for analysis of different air and gaseous pollutant
   • Subject- Specific Skills: Specific skill in analysis of pollutant from soil, water and air samples. Skill development in production of compost from different solid wastes. Practical  methods of removal of contaminant from soil and water through different remediation technologies
   • Transferable Key Skills: The analytical techniques of physico-chemical properties of soil and water. Developing different types of compost from different waste.
   4. Plant Biochemistry
   • Basic knowledge on Biochemistry: Apply the knowledge of the biomolecules and their metabolism to the solution of complex life processes and their challenges.
   • Problem analysis: Identify, formulate, and analyze complex processes, reaching substantiated conclusions using principles of biophysical and natural sciences.
   • Conduct investigations of complex problems: Use research-based knowledge and research methods including design of experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and synthesis of the information to provide valid conclusions.
   • Modern tool usage: Exposure to latest and sophisticated instruments and IT tools with hands-on training with an understanding of the limitations.
   • Environment and sustainability: Understand the impact of the biological solutions in societal and environmental contexts, and demonstrate the need for sustainable development.
   • Ethics: Recognize different value systems including your own, understand the moral dimensions of your decisions, and accept responsibility for them.
   • Individual and team work: Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader in diverse teams, and in multidisciplinary settings.
   • Communication: Communicate effectively on basic concepts and activities in Biochemistry with society by being able to comprehend and write effective reports and design documentation, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear instructions.
   • Project management and finance: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the biochemical principles and to conduct, lead and manage research projects in life sciences.
   • Life-long learning: Recognize the need for, and have the preparation and ability to engage in independent and life-long learning in the broadest context of technological change.

1. Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry

• Understand the fundamental concepts in environmental soil science by providing a comprehensive introduction to the basic properties of soils and their relationship with other components of the earth system.
• To study the soil and land use inventory
• Understanding the problematic soils and their reclamation aspects
• To familiarize with the chemistry of crops and pesticides
• Understand the different aspects soil nutrient management and fertilizer technology

2. Agricultural Microbiology

• Understand the fundamentals and basic concepts in microbiology and to know about the microorganisms in the soil and plants. Applied aspects of microbiology and in depth knowledge and understanding of the microbial products obtained through microorganisms.  To start small scale industries related to microbiology and become entrepreneurs.  Increases and widens the job opportunity in various microbiology industries.

3. Environmental Sciences

• Imparting basic knowledge about the environment and its allied problems.
• Developing an attitude of concern for the environment.
• Acquiring skills to help the concerned individuals in identifying and solving environmental problems and striving to attain harmony with nature.

4. Plant Biochemistry

• Understand the basic concepts of biomolecules, enzymes and metabolic pathways in plants.
• Analyse the relationships among animals, plants and microbes
• Perform procedures as per laboratory standards in identification and determination of various biomolecules in plant samples and agricultural produces.
• Understand the applications of biochemistry in other disciplines of agriculture and food processing.

SAC 101 Fundamentals of Soil Science (2+1)

• Appraise (i.e. assess the worth, value or quality of) soils as interacting systems in the terrestrial environment.
• Characterise the key features of the soil physical environment (i.e. soil texture and structure, bulk density and porosity).
• Interpret and consider soil physical characteristics in relation to the transport of water through soil, and water availability to plants.
• Evaluate basic soil chemical properties in the context of soil health.
• Distinguish the main classes of organisms in soil and illustrate their functional importance in soil systems.
• Assess how the spatial diversity of soil types impacts on soil functions at the field and landscape scales.

SAC 201 Soil Resource Inventory (1+1)

• Provide sound soil and land resource information highlighting soil and water conservation needs
• Optimize resource utilisation adopting scientific land use as per land capability for ensuring soil health.
• Provide necessary scientific database for adopting suitable soil and water conservation measures to prevent soil erosion, enhance ground water recharge
• Synergise agricultural sector through enhancing productivity.
• Generation of scientific database on soil and land resources through various kinds of Soil Surveys for formulation and execution of developmental programmes at micro and macro level

SAC 202 Problem Soils (2+0)

• Demonstrate fundamental knowledge to identify problematic soils and associated problems.
• To identify processes resulting in deterioration of soil physical and chemical properties, and reclamation of degraded soils.
• Post-reclamation management in a manner that is sustainable.
• Efficient use of non-conventional water resources, mainly treated wastewater for irrigation and reclamation of land for agricultural productivity.

SAC 302 Soil Fertility, Fertilizers and Manures (2+1)

• Provide exposure to fertilizer production technologies.
• Overview to the most recent fertilizer production technologies.
• Improve technical knowledge over a varied range of fertilizer production techniques, understanding the best available technology options with cost effective, minimal energy consumption along with the best approaches to safety and environmental management.

AGM 101 Fundamentals of Microbiology (2+1)

• Safety methods to be followed in the microbiology laboratory
• Handling different equipments in the laboratory
• Knowing the methods of preparations of different media for microbes
• Knowledge on Isolation and characterization of microbes and the screening methods
• The growth cycle of the microorganisms and their application methods
• Economic importance of microorganisms

AGM 301 Soil and applied microbiology (1+1)

• Microorganisms present in the soil and their role
• Isolation techniques of agriculturally important microorganisms
• Mass production techniques of various biofertilizers
• Application procedures of different biofertilizers
• Microbes and their role in food and beverage preparations
• Developing Small scale industries and entrepreneurship

EXP 301 Bio inoculants production technology (0+5)

• Isolation techniques and characterization techniques of microorganisms
• Screening the microorganisms and their mass multiplication
• Mass production of biofertilizers
• Cultivating various algae and their applications
• Application procedures of biofertilizers

ENS 301 Environmental Pollution and Management (1+1)

• Safety methods to be followed in the laboratory
• Handling different equipments in the laboratory
• Knowing the methods of preparations of different reagents and standard solutions
• Waste water treatment by physical, chemical and through constructed wetland system and characterization
• Energy recovery from wastes and their application methods

EXP 401 Composting Technology (0+5)

• Production of compost from different solid waste
• Isolation techniques and characterization techniques of microorganisms for composting
• Assessing the quality parameters of matured compost
• Enrichment methods of different compost
• Standardization of different methods of composting and optimize the dose of different compost.

BIC 101 Fundamentals of Plant Biochemistry (2+1)

• Describe the classification of biomolecules like carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids
• Interpret the structure and functions of the different biomolecules
• Learn the basics of enzymes and apply them in the metabolic activities of plants.
• Describe the carbohydrate, lipid and amino acid metabolism in living organisms and their importance to life activities.
• Learn the classification and functions of secondary metabolites and their application in plant defence mechanisms.