This course inter-relates the physical, chemical and biological aspects of freshwater ecosystems through discussions of basic and applied topics. Light, temperature, oxygen and chemical composition of water and sediments will be discussed, emphasizing their importance to plants and animals living in these habitats.
Students work in groups and learn different sampling and measuring methods each week.
Samples of biota and water are analyzed further in the lab from mid-October to December. In the second semester, these data are used to develop individual projects. The students learn how to write a project proposal, analyze data and present their results in an oral presentation, similar to those presented at meetings of professional ecologists. Because of its large field component, BIO 469Y can be used to fulfil a program's field course requirement.