Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Biology 4562 - Sections 1448&1449 - Limnological Methods

Spring 2004 - Tues 1-4; Science 318

Dr. James K. Schooley

COURSE OBJECTIVES: To introduce the student to the collection and analysis of the physical, chemical, geological and biological factors which influence aquatic ecosystems. The course is ecological in orientation and is designed to include a variety of aquatic subjects. Students will be expected to not only know how to sample aquatic systems, but why certain samples are taken. A strong emphasis will be placed on the careful analysis and critical evaluation of data collected in the field and during lab experiments.

PREREQUISITES: A lecture course in Limnology (ie. Biol 4554), or taken concurrently with same.

FORMAT: Field collecting, lab processing and analysis of samples, class discussions of readings, lab problems and experiments. Several field trips are all day long. Students will be expected to put appropriate amounts of non-class time in the lab to complete the processing of samples and in preparing for practical exams.

OFFICE HOURS: Hours open for appointments in Tahlequah are Tues 9-11; 4-5 and Thur 9-11; 1-4 in Broken Arrow are Wed 9-11. Appointments can be made for times other than these. My office in Tahlequah is Science 309 and in BA is C127, my e-mail schooley@cherokee.nsuok.edu and my extension 3825. You may also wish to leave messages with the Natural Sciences Office in Science 221 and extension 3800.

TEXTS:

Horne, A.J. and C.R. Goldman. 1994. Limnology, 2nd ed., McGraw-Hill, Inc. New York

Lind, O.T. 1985. Handbook of common methods in limnology, 2nd ed., Kendall/Hunt Pub. Co., Dubuque, Iowa. (Reading assignments below are from this text)

Thorp, James H. and Alan P. Covich 1991. Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater Invertebrates. Academic Press, Inc., Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers, San Diego, CA. ISBN 0-12-690645-9

Other internet resources, some noted below, handouts and reserve readings in the library.

GRADING:

Final Exam 25% - problem solving, short answer, data analysis, identification of plants, plankton, benthos etc.

Field Work 20% - watershed sampling; reservoir sampling; stream sampling; zebra mussel sampling - most will be done outside of normal class meeting times

Lab Work and Reports 50% - can range from brief data summaries to papers in full scientific format. An in-class handout with the style and due date will be given for each required report.

Testing Unknowns (10%)

Zooplankton Abundance and Distribution (10%)

Chlorophyll a, Fluorescence, Light (10%)

Stream Bioassessment (10%)

Zebra Mussel Distribution and Abundance (10%)

Subjective Evaluation 5% - evaluation based on preparation and participation in class projects.