LIMNOLOGY

SPRING 2001

 

                                                                                                Dr. Patricia Mosto

                                                                                                Office :105 C

                                                                                                Phone: X3590

                                                                                                E-mail: Mosto@Rowan.Edu

                                                                                                Office hours: M-W 3:30-4:30

 

Objective of the Course: This course introduces basic and applied concepts in limnology, or the study of fresh waters.  It would be based on the structure of lentic aquatic ecosystems from a physico-chemical point of view and a survey of the different lentic aquatic communities and their relationships.  Laboratory exercises will help the students to visualize many of the concepts discussed in class.  A mandatory 3-day field trip will be done at the end of the semester with the purpose to conduct research and apply the acquired concepts of this course in a pristine lake in the Poconos.

 

Textbook:  Horne, A. and C. Goldman. 1997. Limnology.  McGraw-Hill Inc.

 

 

Course Outline

Monday                                   Tuesday                                   Wednesday                             

        1/16 Introduction                         1/17 Structure of Aquatic           Origins of Lakes                                     Ecosystems

1/22 Water                           1/23 Lake Morphometry Lab      1/24 Light

1/29 Temperature                1/30 Light/To Lab                       1/31 Temperature

2/5   Water Movement        2/6 Water Mov/Review                2/7   Exam # 1

2/12 Water Chemistry         2/13 Chemical analysis Lab         2/14 O2 and CO2

2/19  O2 and CO2               2/20 Water Pollution Lab            2/21 Nitrogen

2/26  N/ Phosphorous         2/27 Other Nutrients/Review      2/28 Exam # 2

3/5    Organisms in lakes    3/6   Organisms Lab                    3/7 Phytoplankton

3/12  Phytoplankton            3/13 Plankton communities          3/14 Zooplankton

3/26  Periphyton                  3/27 Littoral communities            3/28 Benthos

4/2    Nekton                       4/3   Benthic communities           4/4   Food Chains

4/9    Food Chains               4/10 Primary production              4/11 Applied Limnology

4/16  Applied Limno           4/17 Review                                4/18 Exam 3

4/23  Lacawac                     4/24 Lacawac                              4/25 No class

4/27-4/29 Field Trip to Lacawac

4/30 Final Report on Lake Lacawac review (Report due May 2nd)

 

 

           

           

           

           

Grading:

 

There are three (3) major sections in Limnology: Physical limnology, Chemical limnology and Biological limnology.  Each section will account for 30% of your grade (total of 90%).  The 30% will be a combination of the exam and labs for each section.  The 10% remaining will be the final paper on the limnology of Lake Lacawac.  Absences for more than 3 classes will affect your grade.

 

1. Exams:        There will be 3 exams, one for each of the sections.  Exams are not cumulative.  The major points of each chapter will be discussed in class, as well as difficult concepts, and will constitute the core of the exams.  Exams will be a combination of essays, problems, and definitions.  You are expected to be present for all exams.  Make-up exams will not be given unless there is a really serious cause for missing the exam. 

                        If you have difficulty understanding any concepts, either in class lectures or in the textbook, I expect you to ask questions during class and/or come for help during office hours.

 

                        Exam # 1         February 7th

                        Exam # 2         February 28th

                        Exam # 3         April 18th

 

2. Laboratory:  It is impossible to make up a missed lab.  A missed lab is given a grade 0 and it is averaged into your final grade.  Lab reports are due a week after the lab exercise has been completed.  Every daily delay in submitting the lab reports will count as lost points on your total grade.  You are expected to read the lab exercise prior to coming to the lab.  Some lab exercises will require field-work, so dress accordingly.

 

3. Final Research Paper:  There will be a mandatory week-end field trip, April 27-29, to Lake Lacawac, in the Poconos.  Directions and details will be given prior to the trip.  You had a final paper on the limnological research on Lake Lacawac done during the field trip.  The final paper is due on May 2nd.

 

 

Grading Scale:

                                    A+       98-100                         C+       78-79                                                                           A         94-97                           C         74-77

                                    A-        90-93                           C-        70-73

                                    B+       88-89                           D+       66-69

                                    B         84-87                           D         60-65

                                    B-        80-83                           D-        55-59

                                                                                    F          0-54