Spring 2020 - BISC 412 D100

Aquatic Ecology (3)

Class Number: 2653

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2020: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BISC 101, BISC 102, and either BISC 204 or GEOG 215; all with a grade of C- or better.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The scientific study of marine and freshwater ecosystems. Through a combination of lecture and field/lab components, the course will examine a combination of fundamental concepts of aquatic ecology as well as challenges posed to these ecosystems by environmental change. Students will gain hands-on experience with data collection, analysis, and communication. Students who have completed Special Topics BISC 473 Aquatic Ecology may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Course Description:
This course will focus on the scientific study of marine and freshwater ecosystems. Through a combination of lecture and field/lab components, the course will examine a combination of fundamental concepts of aquatic ecology as well as challenges poised to these ecosystems by environmental change. Students will gain hands-on experience with data collection, analysis, and communication based on a series of projects that use a variety of scientific approaches, ranging from classic “wet boots” ecology during field trips to local seashores and streams as well as emerging modern scientific approaches such as “googling science”.

Website:
Materials for class such as readings, assignments, and lecture outlines will be posted periodically on the course website on CANVAS (https://canvas.sfu.ca). You are responsible for visiting this site and downloading the relevant course materials ahead of class.  

Field Work: For some of the lab sessions, we will be participating in field research outside. Please make sure to dress appropriately, such as with raingear and boots. It will probably be cold and wet. Field work will consist of hiking over slippery and uneven terrain in poor weather. Please let me know ASAP if this poses challenges.

Grading is tentative and subject to change.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Learning Objectives:

Students are expected to achieve the following learning objectives upon successful completion of the course:
·       Explain basic research methodologies for aquatic ecology.
·       Identify some local aquatic taxa.
·       Describe life-cycle of several key aquatic taxa.
·       Collect scientific data in a collaborative team.
·       Manipulate, analyze, and interpret datasets.
·       Construct scientific hypothesis and design project to address hypothesis.
·       Illustrate effective communication of science.
·       Explain link between science and several management or conservation challenges.

Grading

  • Lab/Field Project Assignments 60%
  • Quizzes 15%
  • Final Project 25%

NOTES:

Important Business stuff:

Late assignment policy:
All assignments are due at the beginning of class. Assignments will lose 5% per day if they are late (starting after the beginning of the class period).  

Academic honesty: All assignments need to be original works by you unless explicitly stated that it is a group project. Use best scientific practices for citing previous research. Assignments with evidence of academic dishonesty will be penalized. See SFU policy on academic integrity and conduct: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html  

Student accommodations: “If you have a physical, psychiatric, neurological or learning disability that you think might require classroom or exam accommodations, please let me know as early in the semester as possible so that your needs may be appropriately met. Please note that you will need to provide disability related documentation to and register with the SFU Centre for Students with Disabilities (1250 Maggie Benston Centre).” http://www.sfu.ca/students/disabilityaccess.html

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be based on historic and current scientific articles. Papers will be available as pdfs on the website. You are expected to read all of the assigned papers before the class period and be ready to discuss them. There is no textbook.

Registrar Notes:

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

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS