COVENANT UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
PROGRAMME: BIOLOGY
COURSE MODULE
COURSE CODE: BLY 314
COURSE TITLE: HYDROBIOLOGY
UNITS: 2
COURSE LECTURERS: Ayanda I.O* Ejoh S.A.
*Course Coordinator
SEMESTER/SESSION: ALPHA, 2014/15
TIME:
LOCATION:
A
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF COURSE:
The course is about the study of water animals and plants and the different zones in a freshwater
body. It involves the different kinds of water bodies there are and the physical, biological and
chemical aspects of the water bodies. It will also emphasize major African Lakes like Tanganyika,
Tiga and Chilwa. Lastly the course will treat problems that are associated with tropical freshwater.
B
COURSE OBJECTIVES/GOALS
At the end of the course, the students are expected to:
C
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mention the types of freshwater bodies there are
♦
say the difference(s) between freshwater bodies
♦
highlight the different zones within a freshwater body
♦
identify the problems associated with tropical freshwaters
METHODS OF LECTURE DELIVERY/TEACHING AIDS
Lecture Delivery and Teaching Aids
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Guided instructions
Interactive classroom session
Multimedia
Diagrams
Laboratory Practical
D.
E.
COURSE OUTLINE
Module 1
Hydrobiology and Limnology
Week 1
Definitions of Hydrobiology and Limnology
Module 2
Physical and Chemical properties of Water
Week 2
Water Cycle, General properties of water and Optical properties of water
Week 3
Thermal stratification
Module 3
Tropical and Meromictic Lakes
Week 4
Lake Tanganyika, types of water movements
Week 5
Limnological terms, dissolved solids and gases in water
Week 6
Redox potential, important elements in water
Week 7
Mid-Semester Test
Module 4
Environment
Week 8
Freshwater, terrestrial environment and population
Week 9
Ponds, streams, rivers and their fauna
Week 10
Effects of organic matter in water
Module 5
Water pollution
Week 11
Colonization and Succession
Week 12
Bio-indicators
Week 13
Biological index of Pollution
Week 14
Revision and evaluation
TUTORIALS
i.
Analysis of spp composition and abundance of individuals
ii
Environmental changes caused by organic pollution
F.
GRADING FORMAT
1.
Continuous Assessment
30 Marks
(i)
Assignment
10 Marks
(ii)
Test 1
10 Marks
(iii)
Mid-Semester Test
10 Marks
2.
Semester Examination
70 Marks
G.
GROUND RULES AND REGULATIONS
The following rules and regulations should be observed:
H.
I.
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Mandatory 75% class attendance
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No eating or dozing in the classroom
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Active participation in all activities
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All class assignments must be submitted on time
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Punctuality to classes
TOPICS FOR TERM PAPERS/ASSIGNMENTS/STUDENTS’ ACTIVITIES
i.
Global Water Balance
ii.
Structure and Productivity of Aquatic Systems
iii.
Benthic animals and Fish Communities
iv.
Salinity of Inland Waters
v.
Describe the Changes in Unproductive Lakes
ALLIGNMENT WITH UNIVERSITY VISION AND GOALS
This course will build capacity in the aspect of equipping students with adequate skill for
analyzing the physical properties of water which currently is the basis for almost all
microbiological and biochemical analyses being carried out in the laboratory.
J.
INDUSTRIAL RELEVANCE
Hydrobiology is the basis for all aquacultural practices among which is fish culture (for
large scale fish production) which is a rapidly growing sector of Nigeria’s economy. Hence
knowledge of the basis of fish culture is a step towards being empowered for large scale
fish production.
K.
1.
RECOMMENDED READING
Robert G Wetzel. Limnology: Lake and River Ecosystems (3rd Edition)