Limnology

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EEB 3247 Limnology
Fall 2011

Lecture Meeting Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 - 9:15 in TLS 301
Lab Meeting Time: Thursdays 12:00 - 4:00 in TLS 179
Textbooks: Dodson S.I., 2005. Introduction to Limnology 1st Edition. McGraw-Hill.
Giller P.S. and B. Malmqvist, 2008. The Biology of Streams and Rivers. Oxford University Press.

Instructors

Dr. Mark Urban
Email: mark.urban@uconn.edu
Office: Biology/Pharmacy 200A
Phone: (860) 486-6113
Office hours: by appointment

Jessie Rack (Teaching Assistant)
Email: jessica.rack@uconn.edu
Office: Biology/Pharmacy 211
Phone: (860) 486-6154
Office hours: by appointment



Course Procedures

Photo by J.M. Rack
Photo by A. Shepack
Photo by J.M. Rack


Pdficon small.gifLimnology Syllabus 2011


Overview of Course:
The main objective of the course is to introduce you to the dominant physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms determining the ecology of inland waters. A secondary objective is to teach field sampling and research techniques pertinent to aquatic research. Classes will integrate lectures on core concepts with field and laboratory experiences In addition, an independent research project would be used to integrate concepts and also allow students to design, implement, analyze and communicate their own scientific research.
Limnology can be taught with various foci. I teach the course as an upper level ecology class focused on aquatic systems. If you have not taken ecology or evolution, you may need to do some supplementary work to catch up. See me within the first week to discuss this possibility.

  • Field and lab exercises are mandatory. Field trips cannot be made up. If for some reason you think that you will be unable to make any field trips, consult with me in advance.
    • We will leave for field trips at exactly 12 pm. Please arrive at the lab on time.
      • This is a field course. Ecologists go out regardless of the weather, and so will we. You are responsible for bringing appropriate rain or cold weather gear.

Reading:
The two texts for the course are listed below. Both can be purchased from online sources such as Amazon.com or at the UConn Co-op.
Dodson, Stanley. 2005. Introduction to Limnology. McGraw Hill. ISBN: 007287935-3
Giller, Paul & Bjorn Malmqvist. 2008. The Biology of Streams and Rivers. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 0198549772

Class requirements and grading:
You must attend each class. Your grade will be based on two exams, completion of lab reports, a group research project and participation in field and lab exercises:
Midterm and Final Exams: 50
Lab Reports (2): 20
Research Project: 20
Participation/Quizzes: 10
TOTAL: 100 pts

Notes on class requirements:

  • The two exams will cover material covered in both lectures and labs. The final exam will be cumulative. Also expect one or more pop quizzes on reading materials.
  • I require lab reports which provide succinct descriptions and analyses of data collected during lab and field exercises.
  • You will also have time to perform a field or laboratory research project, of your design but requiring my permission. These projects can be performed individually or in small groups (3-maximum). Results will be presented by all individuals during the last lab meeting.
  • Participation means showing up, completing all assigned readings on time, and actively taking part in lectures and labs.
  • All students must adhere to all safety intructions at all times, especially while on water bodies, or you will be prevented from further participation.

Policies

Photo by J.M. Rack
Photo by J.M. Rack
Photo by A. Shepack
Photo by A. Shepack


Lateness policy
Assignments will lose 10 percentage points for every 24-hour period that they are late. For example, an assignment that would have received a 100% had it been handed in on time will receive a 60% (an F) if it is handed in 4 days late. Only a note from a physician or the Dean sent to me in advance of the due date will be accepted as a valid excuse.

Missed field trips/labs
Missed field trips or labs cannot be made up and will result in lost points unless the absence has been approved by me at least one week in advance or with a note from the physician or the Dean sent to me in advance of the field trip or lab. If you must miss a field trip or lab because of a legitimate school-sponsored activity or religious observance, then you must seek my permission at least one week in advance. In all approved cases, an equivalent activity will be assigned.

Plagiarism/Cheating
Plagiarism means using someone else’s statement word-for-word without quotation marks (even if you cite it) or using someone else’s ideas, even if you have paraphrased them, without proper attribution of credit through a citation. The penalty for plagiarism on your research project is a zero. Do not plagiarize – I run all of your written work through software that detects plagiarism. All plagiarism and cheating will be dealt with in the severest manner possible, meaning a zero on affected assignments and referral to the Dean’s office.

Lecture and Lab Schedule & Materials


Date Lecture Topic Readings Lab Supplemental Materials
Aug 30 Lecture 1 Syllabus; Introduction to limnology D, Ch. 1 :Pdficon small.gifLecture 1_Introduction.pdf
Sept 1 Lecture 2 Ecology and evolution; Lab notebooks :Pdficon small.gifLecture 2_Ecology and evolution.pdf
Sept 1 Lab 1 Phys./Chem. Sampling, Dunham Pond
Sept 6 Lecture 3 Lake formation; create Kettle pond D, Ch. 11
Sept 8 Lecture 4 Thorson; lake classification, link-node
Sept 8 Lab 2 Zooplankton Sampling, Dunham Pond
Sept 13 Lecture 5 Hydrology and water properties D, Ch. 2
Sept 15 Lecture 6 Temperature gradients
Sept 15 Lab 3 Zooplankton ID
Sept 20 Lecture 7 Light and oxygen D, Ch. 10
Sept 22 Lecture 8 Chemical limnology; Proposals D, Ch. 3-5
Sept 22 Lab 4 Swan Lake sampling
Sept 27 Lecture 9 Populations in Lakes D, Ch. 6 Proposals Due
Sept 29 Lecture 10 Species Interactions in Lakes D, Ch. 7
Sept 29 Lab 5 Zooplankton ID
Oct 4 Lecture 11 Lake Communities D, Ch. 8
Oct 6 Lecture 12 Lake ecosystems D, Ch. 9
Oct 6 Lab 6 Fenton Sampling Lake Lab Due
Oct 11 Review Session
Oct 13 EXAM --- Midterm Exam
Oct 13 Lab Time allotted for student independent projects
Oct 18 Lecture 13 Physical limnology
Oct 20 Lecture 14 Wetland habitats: permanence transition
Oct 20 Lab 7 Pond Invertebrate ID
Oct 25 Lecture 15 Amphibian ecology & evolution
Oct 27 Lecture 16 Behavior?
Oct 27 Lab 8 Stream mapping
Nov 1 Lecture 17 Stream Environments GM, Ch. 1
Nov 3 Lecture 18 Key Factors in Streams I GM, Ch. 2
Nov 3 Lab 9 Stream Biota Sampling
Nov 8 Lecture 19 Key Factors in Streams II GM, Ch. 3, 5
Nov 10 Lecture 20 TBA
Nov 10 Lab 10 Stream ID
Nov 15 Lecture 21 Autotrophy/Heterotrophy GM, Ch. 6
Nov 17 Lecture 22 Trophic Rel. in Streams GM, Ch. 4, 7
Nov 17 Lab 11 Revisit lake chemistry Stream Lab Due
Nov 29 Lecture 23 Stream Communities GM, Ch. 8,9
Dec 1 Lecture 24 Conservation challenges I
Dec 6 Lecture 25 Conservation challenges II
Dec 8 Lecture 26 TBA; Review
Dec 8 Lab Project Presentations Project Papers Due
Dec FINAL EXAM, TBA





Additional Resources

American Society of Limnology and Oceanography
Association of State Wetland Managers
International Society of Limnology
North American Benthological Society
North American Lake Management Society
North American Native Fishes Association
Society of Wetland Scientists
Water Web Consortium