COURSE COMPACT

2018/2019 Academic Session.

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COLLEGE: Engineering
DEPARTMENT: Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
PROGRAMME: Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
COURSE COMPACT for: 2018/2019 ACADEMIC SESSION
Course
Course code: ABE 515
Course title (credit unit): SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION ENGINEERING
Credit unit: 2
Course status: Compulsory

Course Duration: Two hours (2 hours lecture) per week for 15 weeks (30 hrs)

Lecturer Data
Engr. O. D. Raphael B.Eng., M.Sc., R. Engr (COREN)
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
College of Engineering
Office Location: Room A021c, Engineering Workshop Building
Consultation Hours: Wednesdays (1pm - 4pm),
E-mail: raphael.davids@lmu.edu.ng , rafdaolu2@gmail.com
And
Dr. M.F. Amodu. R. Engr (COREN)
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
College of Engineering
Office Location: Room A021a, Engineering Workshop Building
Consultation Hours: Wednesdays (1pm - 4pm),
E-mail: amodu.funsho@lmu.edu.ng

Course Content:
Definition and historical background. Soil and water conservation development in Nigeria. Types of
erosion. Soil erosion by water. Universal soil loss equation. Soil erosion by wind. Control of soil
erosion by water Universal soil loss equation. Soil erosion by wind. Control of soil erosion by wind.
Design of control structures. Earth dams and farm ponds, economic and legislative principles of soil
conservation. Desertification and Control Measures.
Course Description:
The course is designed to teach Agricultural engineering students the basic knowledge of soil as a
platform for agricultural production different from civil engineering view of soil, soil and wind
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erosion with erosion mitigation methods and soil and water conservation to the selection of
appropriate soil and water management in Agricultural production. The course will also deal with the
design of Earth dams, Farm ponds, soil conservation structures, soil losses estimation, desertification
and soil conservation studies in agricultural production.

Course Justification:
Soil and Water are essential gift of nature without which no Agricultural production can take place.
Land, if not conserved is subject to degradation, water is also needed by both plants and animal and
that makes the course an important one for all Agricultural Engineering students. There is also the
need to protect and conserve the soil as the gift of nature in order to make it available for future use.
Erosion has devastating effects on the land and its inhabitants.

Course objectives
The objectives of this course are to:
1. introduce students to various types of environmental relationships between soil and water
with respect to crop development viz; rainfall and erosion, earth dams and ponds.
2. provide students with opportunities to see the importance of some hydraulic structures such
as dams, farm ponds retaining walls and open channel, etc. on soil and water conservation
engineering.
3. develop an analytical approach to the application of design fundamentals in farm land and
water conservation problems.
4. apply principles of hydraulics to the design of land and water conservation facilities.

Course Requirements:
1. Students are expected to have known much about rain-fed Agricultural systems, soil types and
classifications.
2. Students must have taken courses in Open and Close channel hydraulics.
3. Students are required to be punctual in class and follow the lectures with uttermost attention.
4. Students shall be required to read beyond what is provided in class or compliment class jottings
by making reference to text books for better grade standing.

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Method of Grading.
S/N GRADING SCORE (%)
1. Continuous Assessments
 C.AI 7%
 C.AII (Mid-Semester Test) 15%
 C.AIII 8%
2. Assignment
3. Practical (Laboratory work)/ Case Studies
4. Final Examination 70%
5. Total 100

Course Delivery Strategies:

Material is covered in lectures, with emphasis on the application of agronomic, economic,
engineering, environmental, hydraulic and hydrologic principles to farm land and water
conservation problems. The laboratory calculations periods require the student to quantitatively
analyse farm land and water conservation problem solutions and to specify performance
characteristics and components for some sample systems.

LIST OF PRACTICALS

To show student the different conservation structure around the campus and elsewhere, drainage
systems and cases of erosion ravaged areas that exists in our locality and area and elsewhere in
Nigeria, physically and pictorially as the case may be for easy identification:

LECTURE CONTENT
MODULE 1: Introduction and Course Overview
Week 1: Introduction and Course Overview; Introductory briefs on Soil and Water
Conservation. Soil and water conservation development in Nigeria

Objectives
The students at the end of the lectures for the week should be able to;
1. define and explain clearly the term “conservation” as it affects soil and water.
2. know reasons for conservation and its importance to crop production.
Description:
During this first class, the expectation of the students from the course will be discussed. Specific
cases of land degradation in south east Nigeria and high altitudes areas will be emphasized. Common
conservation methods adopted in the erosion ravaged areas will be mentioned.

Study Questions:
1. What is soil and water conservation engineering?
2. What are the ill effects of irrigation, and where do we get water for irrigation.
Reading List:
1. Morgan, R.P.C. (2005). Soil Erosion and Conservation S623.M67.2005
2. Schwab, G. O., Frevert, R. K. Edmnister, T. W. and Barnes, K. K. (1993). Soil & Water
Conservation Engineering. 4th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Toronto.
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Week 2 &3:
Definition and properties of soil and water
• Nature of soil, rainfall and runoff
• Erosion process and problems
• forms of erosion
• Soil Erosion by water
Objectives- The students at the end of the lectures for the week should be able to;
1. know the types of different forms of Erosion that exists.
2. know the processes involved in soil erosion and losses.
3. understand how water erosion occurs.
Description
Detailed explanation of each of these erosion processes will be thoroughly discussed. Practical
exercise will involve identification of types of erosion especially type of water erosion which
includes gully erosion.

Study Questions:
1. Describe the processes involved in soil losses?
2. What are the differences between sheet erosion and gully erosion
Reading List:
1. Morgan,R.P.C. (2005). Soil Erosion and Conservation S623.M67.2005
2. Schwab, G. O., Frevert, R. K. Edmnister, T. W. and Barnes, K. K. (1993). Soil & Water
Conservation Engineering. 4th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Toronto.

MODULE 2: Soil Erosion and control

Week 4 &5:
Causes of Erosion and its control
• General causes of erosion
• Effect of erosion
• Factors affecting erosion
• Control of soil erosion by water

Objectives - The students at the end of the lectures for the week should be able to;
1. know what brings about erosion and how erosion affects agricultural productivities.
2. know the predisposing factors that aid soil losses in an area?

Description
Extensive discussion on General causes and effects of soil erosion and its impacts on agricultural
soils will be discussed. Also, how to control water erosion by agronomic and engineering methods
will be discussed.

Study Questions:
1. List the factors that affect soil erosion?
2. What are the causes of erosion?
Reading List:
1. Morgan,R.P.C. (2005). Soil Erosion and Conservation S623.M67.2005
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 2. Morgan,R.P.C. and Nearing, M.A (2011). Handbook on Erosion Modelling S627.H359
3. Schwab, G. O., Frevert, R. K. Edmnister, T. W. and Barnes, K. K. (1993). Soil & Water
Conservation Engineering. 4th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Toronto.

Week 6: (Practical and Lecture)

Practicals I

Objectives: to enable students have a practical experience Erosion sites and control.
Soil loss
• Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)
• Wind erosion and its control

Objectives - The students at the end of the lectures for the week should be able to;

1. understand the components of USLE.

2. know about wind erosion and its control
Description
The usefulness and limitations of USLE will be adequately discussed with illustrations and
derivation of each of the components and factors in the equation. There will also be a teaching on
wind erosion; its causes and effects with control.

Study Questions:
1. State the universal soil loss equation and highlight what each of the parameters stands for?
2. Describe the effects of wind erosion?

Reading List:
1. Morgan,R.P.C. and Nearing, M.A (2011). Handbook on Erosion Modelling S627.H359
2. Schwab, G. O., Frevert, R. K. Edmnister, T. W. and Barnes, K. K. (1993). Soil & Water
Conservation Engineering. 4th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Toronto.
Week 7: Mid – semester examination

Objectives: This is an evaluation exercise to know how much and how well the students have
grasped the course so far.
MODULE 2: Structures for soil erosion control and water storage
Week 8 & 9:
Erosion control Structures
• Design of Control structures
• Earth Dams and Farm Ponds
• Features of an earth dam and farm ponds
• Design considerations in earth dam
• Sitting and selection of dam site
Objectives - The students at the end of the lectures for the week should be able to;
1. understand the different erosion control structures that exists.
2. know features of a typical earth dams, farm ponds with their sitting procedures.
Description

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Students will be made to undertake rigorous calculations of forces acting on a dam, its design and
construction as well as design considerations. Also, selection and design of farm ponds will also be
carried out. Erosion control structures will be taught.

Study Questions:
1. List the parts of an earth dam and its appurtenances?
Reading List:
1. Schwab, G. O., Frevert, R. K. Edmnister, T. W. and Barnes, K. K. (1993). Soil & Water
Conservation Engineering. 4th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Toronto.
2. Asawa, G.L. (2005). Irrigation and water Resources Engineering. New Age International (P)
ltd, New Delhi.

Week 10 Practicals II
Objectives: to enable students have a practical experience on Earth dam and farm pond features
MODULE 3: Soil conservation
Week 11 & 12:
Economic and legislative principles of soil conservation.
Desertification and control
• Causes of desertification
• Physical, biological symptoms and its control

Objectives - The students at the end of the lectures for the week should be able to;

1. know what the causes and effects of desertification are.

2. know its symptoms and control.
Description
Students will be made to know what desertification is; its causes and how it effects can be mitigated.

Reading List:
1. Schwab, G. O., Frevert, R. K. Edmnister, T. W. and Barnes, K. K. (1993). Soil & Water
Conservation Engineering. 4th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Toronto.

Week 13: Revision

Objectives: To review all that has been taught during the semester.

Week 14: Examination

Objectives: To examine the students on all that has been taught during the semester.

HOD’s COMMENTS
HOD’s Observations and further Comments ---------------Course compact is adequate----

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Name: Dr. Okunola, A. A. Signature Date 22/08/2018

DEAN’s COMMENTS:_______________________________________________________
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Name: ________________________ Signature:______________ Date:___________