Fall 2023 - BISC 414 D100
Limnology (3)
Class Number: 1965
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
-
Course Times + Location:
Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2023: Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Dec 12, 2023
Tue, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
Burnaby
-
Instructor:
Lance Lesack
llesack@sfu.ca
1 778 782-5633
-
Prerequisites:
BISC 204 or GEOG 215, with a minimum grade of C-.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An integrated examination of biological, chemical and physical processes in lakes and running water ecosystems. Lectures and labs emphasize interactions among biological, chemical, and physical controls on the structure, function, and dynamics of aquatic ecosystems. Environmental problems resulting from human disturbances to aquatic ecosystems are examined.
COURSE DETAILS:
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
Organization: Two one-hour lectures and one four-hour laboratory session per week. There will be no laboratory work in the first week of classes.
Grading
- Laboratory Assignments 25%
- Term Paper/Project 25%
- Presentation of Paper/Project Progress (3-min thesis) 10%
- Final Examination 40%
NOTES:
Organization: Two one-hour lectures and one four-hour laboratory session per week. There will be no laboratory work in the first week of classes.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Custom Courseware Package. 2023. Readings in Limnology. SFU Bookstore.
Cole, G.A, P.E. Weihe. 2016. Textbook of Limnology, Third Edition. Waveland Press (ISBN - 1478623071).
Wetzel, R.G., G.E. Likens. 2000. Limnological Analyses, Third Edition. Springer, New York (ISBN - 0387989285).
Cole and Weihe (2016), and Wetzel and Likens (2000) are available as eBooks. Additional readings drawn from the research literature and "classic texts" will be assigned through the term.
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.