Aquatic Biology LS3134

Instructor:  Mr. Doyle L. Crosswhite;  B.S. Biological Science/Chemistry, Northwestern Oklahoma State University;  M.S. Zoology, Oklahoma State University

Office: JA404    Phone: 405/878-5194     Fax: 405/878-5198   

E-mail: dlcrosswhite@sgc.edu    Office Hours: by appointment only.

Homepage: http://intranet.sgc.edu/people/faculty/dlcrosswhite

Course Description and Purpose: Aquatic Biology is a study of fresh water biology and aquatic ecosystems.  This class incorporates principles of limnology, hydrology, stream ecology, and rapid bioassessment techniques.  Among other topics, students will study the biotic implications of nutrient cycling, sedimentation, and wetlands conservation.  Experimental demonstrations and examples will use aquatic macroinvertebrates and fishes as indicators of water quality. Laboratory and field trips are required.

Goals of the Course:

1. Expose students to the diversity of organisms inhabiting freshwater habitats of North America including marshes, springs, streams, natural lakes and reservoirs.

2. Help students gain an understanding of the structure and function of freshwater ecosystems by considering the influence of physical and biotic environments.

3. Reveal the importance of freshwater ecosystems by considering relevant conservation issues (e.g. erosion control, stream impoundments, game fish stocking programs, and waste water treatment).

4. Provide students with practical, hands on laboratory and field experiences within the discipline of aquatic biology.

Required Textbooks:

Horne, J.A. and C.R. Goldman. 1994 Limnology. 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill. NY. ISBN 0-07-023673-9

Hauer, F.R. and G.A. Lamberti (editors). 1996. Methods in Stream Ecology. Academic Press. NY ISBN 0-12-332905-1

Other supplementary materials are included on a general bibliography for students (see below).

Method of Student Evaluation:

* note: There will be no make up lab quizzes.

 General Guidelines:

• Lecture will be held in Room 407  MWF (2:00-2:50 PM).

• Laboratory will be held in Room 401 W (3:00-5:40 PM).

• Students are expected to attend all lectures & laboratories and to be on time!  If you must be absent, arrive late or leave early, please inform me in advance.  I will take roll each class period.  If you are not present for class, an absence will be recorded.  I make no value judgments as to the nature of the absence, but simply record that you were not present. Obviously, unforeseen circumstances arise.  If you cannot be in class, you must make up all assignments before the next class meeting.  You may communicate with the instructor by phone or e-mail for additional information about the class that you missed.

• Class Participation: Each student begins with 100 points.  Points are lost by failure to participate; 10 points/absence and 5 points/tardy or early departure.  IF YOU MISS MORE THAN FIVE CLASSES/LABS IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO PASS THE CLASS.

• LATE WORK RECEIVES 1/2 CREDIT.

• Please do not begin putting away your materials, talking to your neighbor, and/or disrupting class until you are excused at the end of the session.

Disability Statement:

Any student with a disability that will affect his/her progress in this class and registered with student services should inform me immediately after the first class meeting.

Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism:

Academic dishonesty including plagiarism will result in a zero for that assignment and discipline as warranted in accordance with university guidelines. The Distinction Between Plagiarizing and Paraphrasing: Plagiarizing- To take and use as your own, someone else’s ideas, or writing. Quotation marks are required if you use text verbatim or if you use an author's key phrases or sentence structure. Paraphrasing- To restate the meaning (passage or text) in your own words. Paraphrasing requires a citation. There is a subtle distinction between plagiarism and paraphrasing. The best way to avoid plagiarism is to take notes in your own words.  SEE COURSE TOOLS BELOW.

Laboratory Etiquette:

• The most important part of a laboratory exercise is the first fifteen or twenty minutes during which time I present a brief introduction & instructions.  Please be on time!

• The most certain way of ensuring success in lab is to always READ THE LABORATORY EXERCISE BEFORE CLASS!

• The second most reliable way to succeed in this class is to STAY FOR THE ENTIRE LABORATORY SESSION every week.  If you finish early I suggest you go back and review material from previous labs in preparation for the next quiz.

• Do not eat, drink, or use tobacco while in the laboratory.

• Handle preserved specimens, microscopes, and other equipment carefully.

• Clean your laboratory station and return all equipment to its proper place after each lab exercise.

Grading Scale: The following traditional grading scale will be used.  There will be no curve.  Extra credit questions and projects may be available periodically throughout the semester.

Note: Academic dishonesty including plagiarism will result in a zero for that assignment and discipline as warranted in accordance with university guidelines.

Tentative Course Outline:

• Introduction & Characteristics of Fresh Water; (Horne & Goldman, pp. 1-13)

• Hydrology and Drainage Basin Morphology; (Horne & Goldman, pp. 14-25; 70-75; 356-364; Hauer and Lamberti, pp. 3-12)

• Light and Temperature; (Horne & Goldman, pp. 26-69)

• Dissolved Oxygen; (Horne & Goldman, pp. 115-132)

• Dissolved Solids

• Sedimentation

• Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Micronutrients; (Horne & Goldman, pp. 133-151; 152-171; 172-192)

• Structure and Function of Aquatic Systems; (Horne & Goldman, pp. 193-225)

• Phytoplankton and Aquatic Macrophytes; (Horne & Goldman, pp. 226-264)

• Zooplankton; Benthic Macroinvertebrates (Horne & Goldman, pp. 265-298)

• Vertebrates (Horne & Goldman, pp. 299-332)

• Biotic Interactions- competition, predation, and mutualisms (Horne & Goldman, pp. 333-355)

• Stream Ecology Overview (Horne & Goldman, pp. 365-383; 384-407;  Hauer and Lamberti, pp. 23-39)

• Impacts of Disturbance and Pollution on Water Quality

 Laboratory Exercises:

• Sampling Strategies and Equipment

• Experimental Design

• Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Dichotomous Keys and Classification Systems

• Turbidity/Light, Temperature, and Oxygen (Hauer and Lamberti, pp. 93-99)

• Macroinvertebrates- e.g. Mollusca, Annelida, & Arthropoda (Hauer and Lamberti, pp. 339-353)

• Fish Community Composition (Hauer and Lamberti, pp. 391-398)

• Film: Rapid Bioassessment

• Film: "Grand Canyon Flood"

A Selected Bibliography:

Hutchinson, G. E. 1957. The paradox of the plankton. Amer. Natur. 95:137-145.

Merritt, R. W. and Cummins, K.W. (Eds.). 1984. An introduction to the aquatic insects of North America 2nd edition. Kendall/Hunt Publishing, Dubuque, Iowa, USA.

Needham, J. G. and P. R. Needham. 1962. A guide to the study of fresh-water biology. Holden-Day, San Francisco, CA.

Pennak, R. K. 1989. Fresh-water invertebrates of the United States. John Wiley and Sons, New York, New York, USA.

Prescott, G. W. 1970. How to know the freshwater algae. Wm. C. Brown, Dubuque, Iowa.

Soil Conservation Service. 1991. Water quality indicators guide: surface waters. SCS-TP-161 US Dept of Agriculture.

Whitford, L. A. and G. J. Schumacher. 1984. A manual of the freshwater algae. Sparks Press, Raleigh, NC.

Course Tools:

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