Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - BISC 414 D100

Limnology (3)

Class Number: 1412

Delivery Method: Distance Education

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 18, 2020
    Fri, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    75 units of credit in a science program, including BISC 204 with a grade of C- or better or GEOG 215, or permission of the instructor.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An integrated examination of biological, chemical and physical processes in lakes and running water ecosystems. Interactions among biological, chemical and physical controls on the structure, function and dynamics of aquatic ecosystems are emphasized. Environmental problems resulting from human disturbances to aquatic ecosystems are examined.

COURSE DETAILS:

Organization: Normally would be two one-hour lectures and one four-hour laboratory session per week. This year, lectures and labs will be conducted asynchronously by remote delivery, along with two one-hour time slots per week scheduled for live discussion of course material as needed. There will be no laboratory work in the first week of classes.

Course Topics:
Introduction to aquatic ecosystems
Lake origins and geomorphology
Lake hydrology and water balance
Water, light, and heat
Hydrodynamics
Primary production and dissolved gases
Major nutrients
Phytoplankton communities
Bacteria and microbial communities
Macro-zooplankton communities
Fish communities

Cross-Cutting Themes:
Comparative and regional limnology
Zoobenthos and running-water communities
Eutrophication and acidification of aquatic ecosystems
Global change and aquatic ecosystems

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

 

Grading

  • Laboratory Assignment 25%
  • Term Paper/Project 25%
  • Presentation of Paper/Project Progress 10%
  • Final Examination 40%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Custom Courseware Package. 2020. Readings in Limnology. SFU Bookstore


Wetzel, R.G., G.E. Likens. 2000. Limnological Analyses, Third Edition. Springer, New York (ISBN - 0387989285).


Wetzel and Likens (2000) is available as an eBook. Additional readings drawn from the research literature and "classic texts" will be assigned through the term.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).