Aquatic Biology & Ecology ((4 Credits))

Catalog description

This course provides students with an overview of aquatic biology and ecology, including physical processes specific to freshwater systems (e.g., wetlands, ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers), aquatic biota, aquatic community interactions, ecosystem processes, and the conservation and management of freshwater ecosystems. During this course, students will engage in field-related activities to demonstrate common themes in the discipline, and conduct independent sampling of aquatic biota for species identification and to measure biodiversity. Students will conduct empirical research projects, and engage in aquatic field methods, data collection, and analysis. Thematically, students will also examine the importance of ecosystem and biota conservation, and the impact of sustainable actions on freshwater systems. Prerequisites: Ecology ( BIOL 3306 ), Evolution ( BIOL 3302 ), and Statistics ( MATH 1065 ) .