Stream Fish Biology

FAS 6932 - 4 Credits

Course meeting time:      Lecture Monday 9:35-11:30, Wednesday 9:35-11:30

                                        Lab: Wednesday 11:30-5:00

RECOMMENDED TEXT: J. David Allen, Stream Ecology: Structure and function of running waters.  Kluwer Academic Publishers.   ISBN 0412355302

OFFICE HOURS: M 1-3 or by appointment

COURSE OBJECTIVES: To become familiar with stream and river ecosystems and the important roles of these ecosystems across the landscape.  To examine the physical, biological, and ecological principles that structure lotic ecosystems with particular attention to assessing human impacts on stream and river ecosystems.

CLASS FORMAT: Information will be provided through a combination of lectures, discussions, readings, and labs.  Part of one session each week will generally be devoted to a discussion of natural resource issues in the news.  Makeup of materials missed for legitimate reasons should be arranged with me.

ATTENDENCE: You are required to attend all lectures and labs.  If you will be away from lecture or lab, arrangements must be made with me beforehand.  Be on time for lecture and lab.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: As a result of completing the registration form at the University of Florida, every student has signed the following statements: “I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to be honest in all their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and to understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University.”

EXAMINATIONS/GRADING: There are 500 regular points available in this course distributed as follows.  There will be 2 exams:  Mid-term will be worth 100 points, Final exam 100 points, writing assignments (2) will be worth 100 points each and the lab exercises will be worth a total of 100 points.  Makeup exams for excused absences arranged in advance with the instructor will be scheduled and taken during the final week of classes.  Detailed information regarding the writing and lab assignments will be presented at a later time.

All segments of the course must be completed to earn a final grade.  

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities.  To take advantage of accommodations students must register with the Dean of Students office.

Stream Fish Biology Schedule:  Spring, 2006

This is tentative and subject to change, check this page for frequent updates

READING ASSIGNMENTS: Readings recommended on each topic should be read prior to class so that the topic can be discussed.

Lab information

Updates on lab activities will be provided during the Monday lecture.  Lab activities are often weather or river stage dependent so we must be flexible in our plans.

What to bring with you in lab:

Field notebook and pencils

Water

Lunch and snacks (coolers provided)

Sunscreen

Raingear

Change of clothes

Swimsuit (depending on activity)

Towel

Hat

Mask, snorkel, fins (if you have them)

Long socks (for waders)

Camera (optional)

Waterproof bag (optional)

Field clothes should be worn on field trips.  Each week there is a good change of getting wet and dirty so plan accordingly with the weather.  Safety is paramount in all field activities.

Labs are designed to both introduce students to a wide range of riverine ecosystems and to explore the use of various sampling methodologies for riverine fish communities.  During each field trip you should take notes on what we are doing, you should also ask yourself the following:

Where are we and why are we here?

Where is the water coming from and where is it going?

What are the dominant physical characteristics (color, vegetation, floodplain, etc?)

What flora and fauna are visible and what does this tell us?