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 Learning Outcomes
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.
