BIP: “In the name of Soil - Ecopedological Workshop”
Coordinating institution: Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (Poland)
BIP ID: 2022-1-PL01-KA131-HED-000052377
NCU course code: 2800-SOIL-BIP
Type of the course: Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (obligatory virtual + physical components)
Partner institutions:
- University of Ljubljana - Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Vytautas Magnus University - Kaunas, Lithuania
- University of Pécs - Pécs, Hungary
- Estonian University of Life Sciences - Tartu, Estonia
- Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies - Jelgava, Latvia
Funding: Erasmus+ short term mobility with a compulsory virtual component, KA131
Participation in classes is free of charge
FEES
Accommodation (including breakfasts) and boxed lunches will be orginised, however participants have to cover upon arrival the cost of accommodation and lunches with Erasmus+ funding.
DATES
- 1–23 June 2023 – virtual component
- 26–30 June 2023 – physical component – Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (Poland)
Erasmus+ grant application deadline : may vary depending on the university
TARGET GROUP
Target groups are students (all levels) of environmental-related programmes (geography, earth sciences, environmental protection, agriculture, forestry etc.) from partner institutions (direct beneficiaries) and academicians and students from other EU and non-EU universities (beneficiaries participating at their own expenses).
STUDY CREDITS (ECTS)
Successful completion of the course can be awarded with 3 credits according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Credits will be awarded on the basis of participation in lectures, completing test following the virtual component, active participation in fieldwork and preparing report (team work) after a face-to-face component
Transcript of records will be issued by the coordinating institution. In order to include the credits in the curriculum at the home institution, participants need a Learning Agreement for Studies.
ON-LINE LEARNING ENVIROMENT
The online component of the course will be hosted via MS Teams, the collaborative online learning platform of the Nicolaus Copernicus University. Participants need to have a stable internet connection, a computer, a headset, and a webcam.
Sessions will be held (recorded lectures) and synchronously (exercises) in the CEST time zone.
TEACHING STAFF
The course will be delivered in English by teachers:
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TEACHER |
UNIVERSITY |
PROFILE LINK |
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Szabolcs Czigány |
University of Pécs, Hungary |
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Endla Reintam |
Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia |
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Blaz Repe |
University of Ljubljana, Slovenia |
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Rimantas Vaisvalavičius |
Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania |
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Ilze Vrcava |
Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Latvia |
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Marcin Świtoniak |
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń |
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| Przemysław Charzyński |
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń |
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
The main aim of the course is to raise theoretical and practical qualifications and skills of students and young researchers. We expect a significant increase of both hard and soft competences of students. Students will learn to describe and classify soils and how to interpret it in terms of their ecological value, sustainable use and protection of soil resources.
Students will be instructed how to lead scientific discussion when giving and/or receiving feedback and how to evaluate and judge effects of others work. The possibility of communicating and working in international teams will be developed, as well as self-motivation. Students shall complete their assignments and will be encouraged to seek a solutions, be flexible and manage their time efficiently, as well as to prioritize and organize tasks to meet deadlines.
The overall workload is 82 hours. Students will be required to attend 12 hours of online asynchronous sessions – two lectures available each week, together with online Q&A sessions regarding lectures topics. Virtual component will be followed by 40 physical hours, held at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and in various locations in the region for fieldwork. Another 30 hours is planned for self-study.
In order to successfully complete the course students will have to: participate actively in classes, pass the test, be active during fieldworks (team work), prepare report (team work) and present it last day of face-to-face component (after fieldwork activities).
DEATILED COURSE CONTENT
1-23 June 2023: virtual module
An on-line module will focus on introducing the theoretical framework of soil classification to provide knowledge on developing practical skills related to soil naming and interpretation of their ecological value.
Students will become acquainted with different cultures, learn about the challenges of sustainable development with focus on soil resources. They will develop also communication skills and expand the range of vocabulary from the area of soil science.
Classes will require pre-class preparation complemented with follow-up assignments. Students will be familiarized with field work. All learning resources will be available on the NCU MS Teams platform. The virtual component is aimed at preparing students for practical, workshop-format classes that will follow in a physical module.
26 July – 30 June 2023: physical module at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Students will learn to describe, interpret and classify soils in terms of their ecological value, sustainable use and protection and conservation of soil resources. Students will be instructed how to lead scientific discussion when giving and/or receiving feedback and how to evaluate and judge the effects of others’ work. The on-campus module will take the format of plenary sessions and group workshop sessions aimed at developing practical skills. In their international teams, students will deliver a presentation on the results of fieldworks.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Day 1 – Monday 26/06/2023
Field workshops on forest management of sandy soils of the Toruń Basin. Soils developed from sandy sediments of the Pleistocene terraces (3 – 4 profiles – e.g. Arenosols, Podzols, Umbrisols) will be discussed in the context of their use in forestry - from pine monocultures to multi-species deciduous forests.
Location – forest in vicinity of Toruń – fieldworks – 9.00 am – approx. 5.00 pm
Day 2 – Tuesday 27/06/2023
Workshops on the differentiation of soil properties derived from fluvioglacial sediments of the tunnel valleys (subglacial channels). Particular emphasis will be placed on agricultural and industrial transformations and the impact of groundwater on the properties and systematic position of soils (3 – 4 profiles, e.g. Gleysols, Phaeozems, Technosols).
Location – Łojewo near Inowrocław – fieldworks – 9.00 am – approx. 5.00 pm
Day 3 – Wednesday 28/06/2023
Issues concerning the influence of slope processes on soil properties of moraine plateau slopes and methods of soil erosion prevention - exemplary profiles of soils within morainic plateau edge zone / Vistula river Valley slope (3-4 profiles e.g. Regosols, Retisols, Luvisols, Phaezoems).
Location – Gruczno – fieldworks – 9.00 am – approx. 5.00 pm
Day 4 – Thursday 29/06/2023
Differentiation of soils developed from alluvial deposits within the floodplain of the Vistula Valley - problems of agricultural development in periodically flooded area (3-4 profiles e.g. Fluvisols, Gleysols, Cambisols, Phaezoems).
Location – Chrystkowo – fieldworks – 9.00 am – approx. 5.00 pm
Day 5 – Friday 30/06/2023
Indoor activities – preparation of soil charts and description, student working group presentations. Workshop evaluation and closing.
DOWNLOADS
- Learning Agreement
- Useful textbooks, handbooks and other materials: