Topic outline

  • NRCS's Guide to Urban Soil Types

    Credits: 4 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    The course is based on the NCRS Urban Soil Primer, which is intended to provide those in urban planning an introduction to soils. It provides information important in planning and managing land resources in a manner that helps to prevent or mitigate problems associated with sedimentation, contamination, runoff, and structural failure.

    The publication used in this course describes the basic processes and functions common to all soils. Much of the complexity of soil science is simplified, and many sensitive issues are discussed briefly.

    Topics:

    • Growth trends in urban areas
    • Basic soil properties
    • Soil components and variations
    • Soil-forming processes, soil layers (horizons)
    • Measuring and monitoring soil properties
    • Measures of water movement
    • Soil color, structure, functions, temperature, acidity
    • Soil and water interactions, stream corridors, stormwater management
    • Urban wind erosion, sinkholes
    • Soil fertility, plant nutrition, organisms and biochemistry,
    • Soil as a filter and buffer for waste
    • Identifying problem sites From historical records, and by visual clues
    • Soils as building material and structural support
    • Materials That allow Water To infiltrate
    • Open space in planned developments
    • Reclaiming contaminated Sites and vacant lots
    • Soils preserve natural and cultural history
    • Landfills, and catastrophic events
    • Soil management for recreation and renewal
    • Soil surveys in urban areas
    • Naming soil series and soil map units

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)

    Enroll in this course

    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for Geotechnical, Civil, Environmental, Structural, Water Resources, Energy, Construction, Architectural, Agricultural and other engineers whose job description may require a general knowledge of urban soil types.
    Publication Source: USDA NRCS

    Donald Parnell, PE

    • Topic 1