BIOLOGY 3371 -FALL 2009
Dr. Dirnberger
338 Science Building
(770) 423-6546
jdirnber@kennesaw.edu
The class webpage: http://science.kennesaw.edu/~jdirnber/limno
"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-
OBJECTIVES/ COURSE DESCRIPTION
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 freshwater 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.
COURSE OUTLINE FOR LIMNOLOGY
Thursday
Tuesday
18 Aug Lecture - Introduction to
limnology
20 Aug
Lecture - physical/chemical properties
Lab – Intro to instrumentation
25 Aug Lecture - physical/chemical
properties
27 Aug
Field Trip - Allatoona: physical/chemical
1 Sept Lecture - physical/chem
properties
3 Sep
Lecture - physical/chem properties
Lab – Work-up of lake samples and activities
8Sep
10 Sep
Field Trip - Allatoona: chlorophyll and
productivity
17 Sep
Lecture - Ecological relationships
Lab – Phytoplankton & chlorophyll
Lecture - physical/chem
properties
15 Sep EXAM-1
22 Sep Lecture - Ecological relationships 24 Sep
LAB REPORT #1 DUE
29 Sep Lecture - Ecological relationships – 1 Oct
continued
6 Oct Lecture - Wrap-up on lakes
8 Oct
Field Trip - Allatoona: zooplankton and
benthos
Lecture - Ecological relationships
Lab - Zooplankton and benthos
Lecture - Ecological relationships
Lab – Literature discussion on trophic
cascade – PAPER SUMMARIES DUE
Field Trip - Freshwater marsh
13 Oct Lecture – Discussion of data
analysis for Lab Report #2
20 Oct Lecture – Wetlands
LAB REPORT #2 DUE
15 Oct
27 Oct EXAM-2
29 Nov
Lecture – Wetlands
Lab – Freshwater marsh analysis and
discussion of data analysis for Lab Report #3
Lecture - Streams
3 Nov Lecture - Streams
LAB REPORT #3 DUE
5 Nov
Field Trip – Stream ecology
10 Nov Lecture - Streams
12 Nov
Lecture - Applied limnology
Lab – Stream ecology work-up
17 Nov Lecture - Applied limnology
24 Nov TBA
19 Nov
26 Nov
TBA
No class - Thanksgiving
1 Dec
3 Dec
Lecture - Applied limnology
LAB REPORT #4 DUE
22 Oct
10 Dec
Field Trip – Lake management
FINAL EXAM - 8 AM
Thursdays will generally be fieldtrips or labs though the schedule may change due
to weather. On some fieldtrip days, we may divide the class into “shifts” where
different shifts will be asked to arrive at (and leave from) the field site at
different times. On these dates, the first shift begins during lecture time at 8 am
(obviously there will be no formal lecture at this time). Be prepared and dress
appropriately for fieldwork. Don’t be late or your will figuratively and literally “miss
the boat”!
Tuesdays will usually be lecture days, though some dates may include short labs. In
lecture, we will discuss selected topics and previously collected data, as well as
generate hypotheses that will be tested during fieldtrips. 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
Some
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Limnology Books in the KSU Library
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
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, or Dr. E’s Vert
Zoo 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.
 observations of microhabitats (descriptions and inhabitants)
 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’ checks of notebook at the end of fieldtrips (5 pts),
so be sure to bring your notebook on all fieldtrips.
PREREQUSITES
Two lab science courses and junior or senior level standing.
REQUIRED BOOKS:
None. There will be web-based readings and assigned papers instead.
GRADES:
Exam #1
100 pts each
Exam #2
100 pts each
Final Exam
100 pts each
Lab reports
50 pts
Paper summaries on trophic cascade
25 pts
Group work / Participation
25 pts
Field Notebooks (including in-field checks)
25 pts
= 100 pts
= 100 pts
= 100 pts
= 200 pts
= 25 pts
= 25 pts
= 25 pts
575 pts
A= 90%;
D= 60%
B= 80%;
C= 70%;
OFFICE HOURS
DR. D.: MW 2-3:30 PM; TH 2-3:30 PM FRIDAY 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.
POLICIES
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Safety must be a primary concern when in lab and in the field. You must
review the Laboratory Safety Guidelines at:
http://science.kennesaw.edu/biophys/LabSafetyGuideNoPic.doc
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 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.
Do not turn assignments in by e-mail or other electronic formats. Hard
copies only.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Any student with a documented disability or medical condition needing academic
accommodations of class-related activities or schedules must contact the instructor
immediately. Written verification from the KSU disAbled Student Support Services is
required. No requirements exist that accommodations be made prior to completion of this
approved University documentation. All discussions will remain confidential.
ACADEMIC WITHDRAWL POLICY
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
OCTOBER 12th 2009
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
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.