This individualized, self-paced course for independent study in soils engineering was adapted from military curriculum materials for use in vocational education. The course is designed to acquaint students with various soil types and their characteristics using various procedures, tests, and recording forms. Some of these duties are determining which soils make the best foundation materials and what effect frost action has on these soils; performing soil surveys and soil classification by field tests and by the Unified Soil Classification System; performing procedures to compact and stabilize soils and design a base course for bituminous roads and airfield runways; and using the proper procedures, equipment, tables, formulas and other aids in tests and soil analysis. The contents are divided into the following eight lessons, each containing objectives, reading assignments, and self-graded tests: basic soil properties; soil surveys, soil classification; soil compaction; strength design using California bearing ratio; flexible pavement structure; frost action and permafrost; improvement of soil characteristics; and construction methods and practices. The text is coded and all questions are keyed to the text. A final examination consisting of 50 multiple choice questions, without answers, is included. (KC)