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Sean Michael Schaeffer

Professor | Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
Research Focus

Coupled carbon and nitrogen cycles; Carbon sequestration; Climate change; Stable isotopes; Soil ecology; Soil Biogeochemistry; Soil health

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
ESS 242 - Soil Morphology and Judging
1 credit hour(s)

Intensive course involving describing, classifying and interpreting soils in preparation for regional and national soil judging contests.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Sherfy, Andrew

Semesters Offered: Fall
ESS 442 - Soil Genesis and Classification
3 credit hour(s)

Soil genesis and formation; observing and describing morphology of agricultural and forest soils; chemical and physical properties; and classification. Includes 3 weekend field trips.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hours and 1 lab.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : ESS 231, ESS 232

Semesters Offered: Fall
ESS 462 - Environmental Climatology
3 credit hour(s)

Study of global energy budget, past climates, climate variability, climate distribution, and climate change. Emphasis on global warming and its potential impacts on ecosystems, societies, and global sustainability. Students are required to apply quantitative, computer, and oral communication skills to analyze and report climate data for environmental planning. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (AOC)
Recommended Background: Computer proficiency.

Other Instructors: Saal, Lori

Semesters Offered: Fall
ESS 494 - Special Topics in Environmental and Soil Sciences
1 - 3 credit hours

Varying topics and formats addressing current issues in the Environmental and Soil Sciences.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 3 hours.

Semesters Offered: Spring
ESS 515 - Soil and Environmental Biogeochemistry
3 credit hour(s)

Soils as interface between the biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and geosphere. Soil and environmental biogeochemical interfaces: cycles of critical elements, coupled biogeochemical cycles, feedbacks between biogeochemistry, climatology, ecology, and soil science.

Semesters Offered: Spring
ESS 593 - Special Problems in Environmental and Soil Science
1 - 3 credit hours

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.

Other Instructors: Eash, Neal | Zhuang, Jie

Semesters Offered: Spring
Picture of Sean Michael Schaeffer

865-974-7366

sschaef5@tennessee.edu

Google Scholar
207 Biosystems Engineering and Soil Sciences Office Building
2506 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4531
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, University Of Arkansas, 2005
  • MS, Forestry, General, University of Arizona, 1998
  • BS, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, University of Utah, 1996
Web Presence
Publications

Sean Michael Schaeffer

Professor | Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
Picture of Sean Michael Schaeffer image

865-974-7366

sschaef5@tennessee.edu

Google Scholar
207 Biosystems Engineering and Soil Sciences Office Building
2506 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4531
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, University Of Arkansas, 2005
  • MS, Forestry, General, University of Arizona, 1998
  • BS, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, University of Utah, 1996
Research Focus

Coupled carbon and nitrogen cycles; Carbon sequestration; Climate change; Stable isotopes; Soil ecology; Soil Biogeochemistry; Soil health

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
ESS 242 - Soil Morphology and Judging
1 credit hour(s)

Intensive course involving describing, classifying and interpreting soils in preparation for regional and national soil judging contests.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Sherfy, Andrew

Semesters Offered: Fall
ESS 442 - Soil Genesis and Classification
3 credit hour(s)

Soil genesis and formation; observing and describing morphology of agricultural and forest soils; chemical and physical properties; and classification. Includes 3 weekend field trips.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hours and 1 lab.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : ESS 231, ESS 232

Semesters Offered: Fall
ESS 462 - Environmental Climatology
3 credit hour(s)

Study of global energy budget, past climates, climate variability, climate distribution, and climate change. Emphasis on global warming and its potential impacts on ecosystems, societies, and global sustainability. Students are required to apply quantitative, computer, and oral communication skills to analyze and report climate data for environmental planning. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (AOC)
Recommended Background: Computer proficiency.

Other Instructors: Saal, Lori

Semesters Offered: Fall
ESS 494 - Special Topics in Environmental and Soil Sciences
1 - 3 credit hours

Varying topics and formats addressing current issues in the Environmental and Soil Sciences.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 3 hours.

Semesters Offered: Spring
ESS 515 - Soil and Environmental Biogeochemistry
3 credit hour(s)

Soils as interface between the biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and geosphere. Soil and environmental biogeochemical interfaces: cycles of critical elements, coupled biogeochemical cycles, feedbacks between biogeochemistry, climatology, ecology, and soil science.

Semesters Offered: Spring
ESS 593 - Special Problems in Environmental and Soil Science
1 - 3 credit hours

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.

Other Instructors: Eash, Neal | Zhuang, Jie

Semesters Offered: Spring
Web Presence
Publications