Limnology

BIOL 4280 – Offered in the Fall term, alternate years only (i.e., 2019, 2021)

Course Description: 

Limnology is the study of inland waters, large masses of freshwater such as lakes and wetlands, as well as rivers, streams and ponds. We will take a holistic approach to learning about the management issues, fundamental biological and physical processes influencing freshwater systems, and critically examine the freshwater management. We will begin the course by identifying and addressing freshwater issues and values globally, and then systematically explore the biological and physical concepts underpinning inland freshwater ecosystems. We will welcome guest lecturers to the course to provide a broad perspective of this interdisciplinary field. 

Course Goals: 

By the end of this course, students will: 

1.     Understand fundamental oncepts and terminology used in limnology 

2.     Explore how inland waters are structured and function 

3.     Engage in interdisciplinary and multi-dimensional thinking on issues related to freshwater management and restoration 

4.     Develop critical skills needed to read, interpret and analyse limnological data and apply them to environmental problem solving

5. Practice working as a collaborative research team