B
3371 -F ALL 2005
"A lake is a landscape's most beautiful expressive feature: it is earth's eye, onlooking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature."
- Henry David Thoreau-
Limnology is aquatic ecology, the study of inland waters. This course focuses on
WHY aquatic systems function as they do. The course develops a comprehensive and integrated understanding of physical, chemical and biological processes occurring in lakes, streams and wetlands using the scientific method to investigate and contrast basic ecological processes operating in various systems. Limnology is one of three aquatic biology courses offered at Kennesaw
State University. To learn more about these courses and how these courses fit together
(see: http://science.kennesaw.edu/~jdirnber/AquaticKSU/AQKSU.html
)

Monday
22 Aug Lecture - Introduction to limnology
Lab – Measuring nutrients
29 Aug Field Trip – Freshwater marsh
(Part 1)
Wednesday
31 Aug Lecture -, physical/chemical properties
(Chp. 1&2)
28 Aug Lecture - physical/chemical properties - light, temperature, water movement. (Chp. 3&4)
5 Sep No class - Labor Day
12 Sep Field Trip - Allatoona: physical/chemical
7 Sep Lecture - physical/chem properties - oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients. (Chp. 5,6,7,8, &9)
14-Sep Lecture - phytoplankton and primary production. (Chp. 11&12)
19 Sep Lecture - physical/chem properties – continued
Lab – Work-up of lake samples
26 Sep Field Trip - Allatoona: chlorophyll and productivity
3 Oct Lecture - Ecological relationships
– continued
Lab – Phytoplankton & chlorophyll
21-Sep Lecture - Ecological relationships (Chp. 13-15)
28 Sep Lecture and/or Lab - Wrap-up of lakes
5 Oct
LAB REPORT #1 DUE
MIDTERM EXAM
10 Oct Field Trip - Allatoona: zooplankton 12-Oct Lecture – Wetlands I (Chp. 18) and benthos
14-15 October – Overnight fieldtrip – diel variation in aquatic systems
17 Oct Field Trip - Freshwater marsh
(Part 2)
24 Oct Lecture - Ecological relationships
– continued
Lab - Zooplankton and benthos
31 Oct Lecture starting at 2pm- Stream ecology
7 Nov Field Trip – Stream ecology
19 Oct Lecture – Wetlands II (Chp. 18)
26 Oct Lecture - Streams I (Chp. 16)
2 Nov Lecture – Toxins within aquatic systems
LAB REPORT #2 DUE
9 Nov No class
14 Nov Lab – Stream ecology
21 Nov Lab – diel variation analysis
LAB REPORT #3 DUE
28 Nov Field Trip – Lake management
TURN IN FIELD NOTEBOOKS
12 Dec Final exam - 12:30 pm
16 Nov Lecture - Applied limnology I
23 Nov No class - Thanksgiving
30 Nov Lecture - Applied limnology II
5 Dec Lab – Lake management samples 7 Dec No class
LAB REPORT #4 DUE

Mondays will generally be field trips or labs (which start at 12:30 pm sharp except where otherwise noted), though the schedule may change due to weather. Be prepared and dress appropriately for fieldwork. Wednesdays will usually be lecture days, though some dates will include short labs. In lecture, we will discuss selected topics and previously collected data, and generate hypotheses that will be tested during field trips. You should feel free to contribute to lectures and discussions.
LAB REPORTS
 Lab report #1 Lakes: Physical and chemical parameters
 Lab report #2 Lakes: Trophic interactions
 Lab report #3 Wetlands
 Lab report #4 Streams
See http://science.kennesaw.edu/~jdirnber/limno/labguide.html
for “GUIDELINES
FOR WRITING A LAB REPORT (OR SCIENTIFIC PAPER)”
For accessing papers from many major scientific journals electronically see http://science.kennesaw.edu/%7Ejdirnber/limno/LiteratureSearch.html
Limnology Books on Reserve in Library (2 hour library use)
 Ecology of Inland Waters and Estuaries - Reid
 Limnology in North America - Frey
 Limnology - Welch
 Limnological Methods - Welch
 Fundamentals of Limnology - Ruttner
 A Treatise on Limnology: Vol. 1 - Hutchinson
 A Treatise on Limnology: Vol. 2 - Hutchinson
You may cite any of these books in your lab reports as well as other sources available in the library. A good source for current literature is the Science
Citation Index on CD. This index will only give you abstracts, however there is often sufficient information in the abstract. Do not cite web references unless you are sure they are considered referred scientific journals.
FIELD NOTEBOOKS
You will be required to maintain a notebook of your field experiences in this course.
Bring this notebook to all fieldtrips and labs. The notebook should be bound (i.e. not loose leaf, not spiral) such as the lab notebooks required in chemistry or bound blank journals sold at art supply stores and bookstores. For those in Dr. D.’s
Invertebrate Zoology, Oceanography or Aquatic Biodiversity class, the notebook required in Limnology is not as extensive or involved (though you may use these old notebooks if there is sufficient space left),

 Required items in your notebooks:
 date, name of study system, location (relative to nearest town or other marker, and county/state), type of habitat, weather conditions.
 a rough map of the study site
 all of the raw data if you have been designated as the ‘data collector’ for your group. Even if you are not the data collector, you should include some data that is representative of the study system as well as any data that strikes you as unusual or potentially important.
 description of sampling techniques
 a brief, overall reflection on the study system (e.g. what surprised you, how did this system compare to others you have experienced…)
 Suggested items (do not feel that you have to record everything you see, hear or measure in the field):
 list of organisms collected and observed (do as best as you can but it is likely that you will not be able to document all species we encounter).
Underline genus and species names with straight lines (capitalizing the former) and put squiggly lines under common names.
 collection identification number (if done)
 observations of microhabitats (descriptions and inhabitants)
 information espoused by your brilliant instructors
 quick sketches concentrating on topography, habitats, behaviors, sampling equipment, etc.
 anything else that might be of interest to you or others (be creative/observant). This might also include observations on local culture, land practices, etc. Great insights and understanding in science have arisen by bringing together disparate observations. Details can enhance retention and are often important when interpreting the data for your lab reports.
You can use both written descriptions and drawings in your notebooks.
Notebooks will be graded for completeness at the end of the semester (20 pts).
There will also be one ‘pop’ check of notebook at the end of two fieldtrips (5 pts) so be sure to bring your notebook on all fieldtrips.
 Attendance: You must show up for field trips on time or you may get left behind! Attendance on trips is important because some exam questions will be based on observed systems. An understanding of processes within a study system is certainly enhanced by first-hand observation of that system.

o
Unexcused absences on field trips and labs will result in a 10% reduction per absence on that lab report. o
To make-up excused absences for field and lab days, you must cite 3 additional references in your lab report. These references must be relevant to our study and at least two of the references must be from referred journals.
 Late lab reports will result in a 5% reduction per class period on that lab report. The penalty is initiated at the beginning of each class/lab period (i.e. if the lab is not turned in at the start of class on the day it is due, 5% is taken off).
 Keep all of your returned, graded work (exams and lab reports). You must have these materials if you decide to contest your final course grade.
Two lab science courses and junior or senior level standing.
Limnology - C. Goldman and A. Horne
Midterm
Final
Lab report #1
Lab report #2
Lab report #3
Lab report #4
Worksheet on diel variation
Field Notebooks
100 pts each = 100 pts
100 pts each = 100 pts
25 pts = 25 pts
50 pts = 50 pts
50 pts = 50 pts
50 pts = 50 pts
25 pts =25 pts
25 pts = 25 pts
425 pts
A= 90% 382.5 pts. ; B= 80% 340 pts ; C= 70% 297.5 pts; D= 60%
255 pts
D R .
D.: MW 10-11:30 AM ; TTH 12-1 PM F RIDAY 1-3 PM
If you cannot make it during these times, I will be glad to make an appointment with you. If you are having any problems with the material, please come by and see me.
Don't put it off until it is too late.

Students may withdraw from one or more courses anytime before the last three weeks of the semester. However, as of Fall 2004, students will be allowed a maximum of eight total withdrawals if they enter KSU as a freshman.
Transfer students will be allowed one withdrawal per fifteen credit hours
attempted, for a maximum of eight. Students who choose to pursue a second degree at KSU will be allowed two additional withdrawals. Students who entered
KSU before the Fall of 2004 will be allowed one withdrawal per fifteen credit hours attempted for a maximum of eight. To withdraw, the student should complete an official withdrawal form in the Office of the Registrar. Students who officially withdraw from courses on or before the last day to withdraw without academic penalty will receive a “W”. Students who officially withdraw after the last day to withdraw without academic penalty (and before the last three weeks of the semester) will receive a “WF”, which will be counted as an “F” in calculation of their grade point average.
The only exceptions to these withdrawal regulations will be for instances involving unusual circumstances, which are fully documented. Students may appeal to the academic standing committee for consideration of unusual circumstances.
LAST DATE TO WITHDRAW WITHOUT ACADEMIC PENALTY
FALL 2005
OCTOBER 14, 2005
Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs. Section II of the Student Code of Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials, misrepresentation/falsification of University records or academic malicious/intentional misuses of computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary
Program, which includes either an “Informal” resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of Conduct’s minimum one semester suspension requirement.