Course Description
Course provides a foundation of common ecological concepts, data collection and analysis techniques, and an understanding of threats to biodiversity and managed populations. Traditional lectures, paper discussions, and workshops will provide graduate students a common footing in the development of a career in applied fisheries and aquatic conservation.
Athena Title
ADV Fish and Aquatic Science
Non-Traditional Format
This class will combine field and laboratory training techniques with traditional classroom lectures. Lab-based activities will occur sporadically throughout the semester and will be adjusted to meet the required number of contact hours each week.
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will understand basic principles of the ecology of aquatic and marine systems.
- Students will understand traditional and novel approaches to fisheries management and conservation of aquatic biota and ecosystems.
- Students will understand data types, structures, and analyses used in management of fisheries and aquatic biota.
- Students will understand the operation and maintenance of common equipment used in fisheries research and management.
- Students will gain practice and confidence in reading, interpreting, and discussing primary literature sources.
Topical Outline
- 1. Syllabus & Introduction; course expectations
- 2. Lotic Ecology/Ecohydrology Overview
• Large-river ecological concepts
• Life history strategies
• Estimation of reproductive parameters in fishes
• Conservation and biodiversity of aquatic invertebrates
• Techniques: Sampling in lotic systems
- 3. Lacustrine and Reservoir Ecology Overview
• River-reservoir interface
• Limnology
• Biotic interactions
• Estimation of age & growth in aquatic animals
• Techniques: aquatic plant identification
• Techniques: Sampling in lentic systems
• Introduction to Fisheries stakeholders and decision making
- 4. Marine Ecology Overview
• Marine ecosystem dynamics
• Marine research techniques
• Aquaculture for sustainability and conservation
• Techniques: Sampling in marine systems
• Management Strategy Evaluation
- 5. Working in Fisheries
• Fisheries policy
• Managing a team
• The scientist in court
Institutional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
