Ecology Of Shallow Lakes

Catalog description

This course will focus on the ecology of shallow lakes which are the most common lake type throughout much of the Midwest and the United States as a whole. The course will introduce the student to the ecology of shallow lakes with particular emphasis on how the abiotic features of lakes are important determinants of the structure of their biological communities. The dynamic nature of lakes will be stressed with a focus on seasonal changes in the chemical and physical characteristics that impact food web structure over time. Laboratories will focus on learning field techniques for sampling and identifying organisms from plankton to aquatic plants to fish. Typically offered Fall Spring Summer. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 33300 FOR LEVEL UG WITH MIN. GRADE OF D- Course Learning Outcomes 1) Expose students to the ecologies of small lakes, which is different than that of other larger bodies of water. 2) Introduce students to the relationship between biotic and abiotic components. 3) Explain to students the chemical and physical changes that occur seasonally in these bodies of water.4) Increase the experiential learning component (e.g. field study) by increasing lab exposure. View Class Schedule