Learning outcomes of the curricular unit (knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students)
Provide expertise on soil and climate systems. Develop skills and attitudes that enable students to understand soil and climate effects on development and growth of vegetation. Create skills to analyze and evaluate soil and climatic conditions in the perspective of cultural operations, crop development and rational use of resources.
Syllabus
SOIL: Soil formation and composition. General Considerations. Soil profile and horizons. Soil mineral fractions and its influence on agricultural practices. Soil texture. Soil organic matter. Influence of clay and organic matter in the soil's ability to retain and provide nutrients and water. The acidity and alkalinity of soils and their involvement in the availability of nutrients and other elements. The different physical characteristics of the soil and its relationship to fertility. The soils of "Bairro", "Campo" and "Charneca"; main characteristics and study visit.
CLIMATE: Importance of climate in agriculture. Global warming and implications for agriculture. The main climates in the world. The Mediterranean climate. Earth's atmosphere: composition and characteristics. Climate elements and their determination. Hydrological cycle. Water balance. Frost; frost management in field crops. Influence of some elements of climate on vegetation growth and development.
Demonstration of the syllabus coherence with the curricular unit's learning objectives
The program was structured to allow students to acquire general knowledge in agricultural climatology and the evaluation of the various types of soils and their agronomic characteristics and further integration of this knowledge into the remaining disciplines of plant science. The contents are approached in a dynamic based on the transmission of theoretical knowledge and its application in a practical context. This is intended to make students able to seek the most sustainable solutions, suitable for each of the situations they will encounter in a professional context. The aim is to enhance the training that seeks to pursue a trade or professional nature, providing students with an application component of acquired knowledge to the activities of their professional profile.
Teaching methodologies (including evaluation)
Theoretical training is carried out through thematic exposure sessions. These sessions will be complemented with practical sessions where students will be encouraged to test and validate ideas, collect and interpret data and/or relevant information.
EVALUATION SYSTEM:
Conditions for admission to the final exam: All registered students are admitted.
Examination Waiver: (1) Attendance of at least 75% of contact sessions; (2) Realization of two written tests (WT); (3) Realization of practical tests during classes (PT). For final grade we consider the rankings of the two best practical tests in each module.
Conditions for exemption from final exam:
Total Waiver - Classification equal or greater than 10 in both modules;
Partial Waiver - Classification equal or greater than 10 in one module only
Final grade of each module = 80% of WT + 20% of the average of the 2 (best) PT
Final grade = 50% Final grade + 50% Final grade
Final exam: A written test
Demonstration of the coherence between the teaching methodologies and the learning outcomes
The teaching methodologies are consistent with the objectives of the curricular unit. The expository learning methodology associated with the work and exercises performed during practical classes, will allow students to autonomously acquire working methodologies and knowledge, which are oriented to solving real problems. The evaluation system is therefore organized to be fostered practical work, where learning and specific skills are enhanced with a view to the future resolution of real problems.
Bibliography (Mandatory resources)
Costa, J. Botelho. 1979. Caracterização e Constituição do Solo. 2ª ed. Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian. Lisboa. Portugal.
Weil, R.R. and Brady, N. C. 2017. The Nature and Properties of Soils. 15th ed. Global edition. Pearson Education.
Castillo, F.E. & Sentis, F. C. 2001. Agrometeorología. 2ª ed. Mundi-Prensa. España
Miranda, P.M.A. 2001. Meteorologia e Ambiente. Universidade Aberta. Lisboa.
Observations
Teaching methodologies (including evaluation):
Practical sessions and, at least, 50% of theoretical-practical sessions will be delivered in class mode.
Theoretical sessions will be delivered in online mode, when the in class mode makes it impossible for the previous priorities.
Periodical evaluations and exams will be in class.
Notice: in case of escalation of Covid-19 pandemic in Portugal, there may be:
1) partial or total substitution of live sessions by online sessions;
