Field Methods Syllabus p. 1
Updated May 9, 2010
COURSE SYLLABUS
Scope of the Course : A hands-on introduction to the methods used to study ecological patterns and processes in the marine environment. Class will consist of a series of group field exercises conducted in local marine habitats. These exercises will emphasize a variety of sampling methods for documenting patterns of distribution and abundance, experimental designs for testing hypotheses, and statistical interpretation of results. These skills are fundamental to most basic and applied research in marine ecology & fisheries.
Thus this course provides an essential foundation for a professional career in these areas.
3 credits (2 lecture credits = 1600 minutes and 1 lab credit = 2400 minutes)
COURSE PREREQUISITE: Biol 271
LOCATION: This course is taught in Juneau at the UAF Juneau Center of the School of
Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.
MEETING TIME: May 15-27, 2011
Instructor:
Dr. Ginny Eckert
Office: 221 Lena
Office hours: by appointment
Phone: 796-5450
E-mail: gleckert@alaska.edu
Required Reading:
Krebs, Charles J. 1998. Ecological Methodology. Benjamin Cummings
Additional Reading Materials : will be made available through Blackboard and the
UAF library (electronic access).
Course Structure:
The course will consist of lectures, discussions, and labs. Attendance at all class meetings is mandatory.
Course Goal:
To introduce students to the methods used to study ecological patterns and processes in the marine environment.

Field Methods Syllabus p. 2
Updated May 9, 2010
Learning Outcomes:
1.
Develop knowledge of the basic principles and techniques of sampling biotic and abiotic factors in the marine environment, including: a.
Population estimation i.
Mark & recapture ii.
Quadrat, transect, snorkel, seining & pot sampling iii.
Active vs. passive sampling iv.
Spatial pattern & indices of dispersion b.
Field care and handing of fish and shellfish c.
Abiotic factors to include water quality, temperature, salinity d.
Age and growth analysis e.
Condition and health indices f.
Lower trophic level sampling g.
Understand the proper care and use of laboratory equipment and field sampling gears used in marine ecosystems
2.
Develop knowledge and provide practical experience in experimental design and statistical interpretation pertaining to marine ecology and fisheries, including a.
Sampling protocols required for collecting representative, non-biased fisheries and marine ecology data. i.
Replication, variability and power ii.
Data management iii.
Experimental Design iv.
Statistical interpretation
3.
Develop critical thinking, written and oral communication, and professional skills relevant to marine ecology & fisheries, including a.
Communication of scientific results b.
Critical analysis & discussion of published scientific papers c.
Science ethics d.
Animal care use protocols
Evaluation
Evaluation will be based on your participation in discussions, participation in labs, lab assignments, a presentation and an exam (Table 1). Each component is worth
20% of your grade. Students will individually prepare and present a 20-minute presentation on one of the sampling methods that we use. There will be a handout that describes what is expected and how the presentation will be graded. Exams will include material from discussions, student presentations, labs, readings, and lectures.
Discussion participation will be graded as follows: 40 points for leading one discussion, 20 points for participation in all others. Lab participation will be scored for each laboratory session. Discussion and lab participation for each session will be scored following the rubric in Table 2.

Field Methods Syllabus p. 3
Updated May 9, 2010
Table 1. Distribution of points for grade calculation.
Total points
DISCUSSION PARTICIPATION 100
LAB PARTICIPATION 100
LAB ASSIGNMENTS 100
PRESENTATION
EXAM
PAPER
TOTAL
100
100
500
Grades will follow the following schedule:
≥90% pts……………….A
≥80% and <89.9% pts………B
≥70% and <79.9% pts...…… C
≥60% and <69.9% pts ………D
<59.9% pts.…………….…….F
Table 2. Criteria used for evaluating participation during discussions and lab.
Score Criteria
100%
90%
Actively engaged, speaking multiple times during discussions, leading laboratory exercises, conducting laboratory exercises with care and attention to detail
Engaged, speaking during discussion, conducting laboratory exercises with care and attention to detail
80%
70%
60%
50%
Somewhat engaged, speaks only when called upon during discussion, conducts laboratory exercises with moderate care and attention to detail
Not so engaged, mostly silent, cannot address questions when called upon during discussion, conducting laboratory exercises with little care and attention to detail.
Not engaged, silent during discussion, cannot address questions when called during discussion, conducts laboratory exercises only under duress
Asleep or otherwise comatose, or misses significant portion of class period absent 0%
POLICIES : Students are reminded to consult the course catalog for the Student Code of
Conduct. Cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class. According to University policy, you will be given an F in this course if you are caught cheating or plagiarizing. Repeated offenses will most likely result in expulsion from UAF. Cheating is when a student gives or receives any form of assistance during an examination or quiz. Plagiarism is defined as the submission or presentation of work, in any form, that is not a student’s own, without acknowledgment

Field Methods Syllabus p. 4
Updated May 9, 2010 of the source. However, asking someone for advice and help is not plagiarism.
Submission of the same work in more than one course without prior approval of all professors responsible for the courses is also considered academic dishonesty.
Late Assignment Policy: All assignments must be completed and handed in on the required date. Late assignments will be docked 10% by each day your work is late.
Exceptions can be made only if discussed and approved well in advance of absence.
Disabilities: The Office of Disability Services implements the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), and insures that UAF students have equal access to the campus and course materials. The Course Instructors will work with the Office of Disabilities
Services (203 WHIT, 474-7043) to provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities. Contact an Instructor or the Office of Disability Services for these services.

Date
Field Methods Syllabus p. 5
Updated May 9, 2010
(subject to change)
Lab activities denoted in italics
Topic Low
Tide
-2.11 ft
06:02
High
Tide
15.11 ft
12:21
Reading
Krebs Ch 1&8 May 15
Sun
May 16
Mon
May 17
Tues
May 18
Wed
May 19
Thurs
May 20
Fri
Arrive in Juneau
6:30-8:30pm Course Overview, Methods of
Population Estimation
6-9:30am Sampling Concepts I: Mark &
Recapture & Removal I
10:30am-1pm Science Ethics; IACUC
6:30-10am Sampling Concepts II: Scale of
Sampling – Quadrats/Transects/Pots
11am-1:30pm Planning for Sampling; Data
Management Protocols
7-10:30am Sampling Concepts III: Spatial
Pattern & Indices of Dispersion
11:30-2pm Experimental Design I; Marking
& Tagging I
7:30-11am Sampling Concepts IV: Mark &
Recapture & Removal II
12-2:30pm Experimental Design II; Marking and Tagging II
8-11:30am Sampling Concepts V:
Replication, Variability & Power
12:30-3pm Active vs. Passive Sampling;
Discussion 1
10:30am-2pm Sampling with hook & line May 21
Sat
May 22
Sun
May 23
Mon
Free Day
May 24
Tues
May 25
Wed
May 26
Thurs
May 27
Fri
9-11:30am Importance of Environmental
Data; Discussion 2
1-5pm – Water Column Sampling –
Temp/Salinity/Plankton
9-11:30am Condition/Health Indices;
Discussion 3
1-6pm – Snorkel sampling & Seining
9-11:30am Aging & Growth Methods;
Discussion 4
1-4pm Age & growth analysis: sample prep
9-11:30am Presentations
1-4pm Age & growth analysis
9-11:30am Course evaluations, EXAM
1-5pm First Aid, Boat trailer backing
-3.42 ft
06:50
15.73 ft
13:14
-4.15 ft
07:37
16.04 ft
14:04
Krebs Ch 4&5
-4.26 ft
08:22
15.99 ft
14:52
-3.79 ft
09:06
15.62 ft
15:39
-2.85 ft
09:51
14.99 ft
16:26
-1.59 ft
10:36
-0.18 ft
11:24
1.21 ft
12:14
14.25 ft
17:14
13.55 ft
18:05
13.04 ft
19:00
2.44 ft
13:10
3.38 ft
14:10
3.97 ft
15:11
4.23 ft
16:09
12.84 ft
19:57
12.98 ft
20:53
13.38 ft
21:43
13.96 ft
22:27
Krebs Ch 2
Krebs Ch 6
Krebs Ch 3
Krebs Ch 7;
Discussion 1
Paper
Discussion 2
Paper
Discussion 3
Paper
Discussion 4
Paper