Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - BISC 414 D100

Limnology (3)

Class Number: 2698

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 4, 2025
    Thu, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • 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

RECOMMENDED READING:

  • Courseware Package. 2019. Readings in Limnology. SFU Bookstore.
  • Cole, G.A, P.E. Weihe. 2016. Textbook of Limnology, Fifth Edition. Waveland Press (ISBN - 9781478623076).
  • Wetzel, R.G., G.E. Likens. 2000. Limnological Analyses, Third Edition. Springer, New York (ISBN - 9781441931863).

Cole and Weihe (2016), and Wetzel and Likens (2000) are available as eBooks. Wait until after the first class before ordering. 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

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term 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.