Catalog Course Search Details

 Department:    ENVC

 Course #:    112

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5.5

 CIP:    030101

 EPC:    165

 REV:    2018

 Course Description  

Introduction to natural and human-induced processes that shape lake ecosystems. Quantitative and qualitative measuring techniques will be used to assess water quality, including biological integrity.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: ENVC 101 or ENVS& 101 or department chair approval. Lab and field trips required.

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 44

Lab: 22

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0

Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Required for ATA degree  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

1. Be knowledgeable about the physical and chemical factors that shape lake ecosystems.
2. Know how to measure and interpret these factors to determine aquatic habitat and water quality.
3. Be familiar with the biological communities of lake systems including plankton, nekton, benthic and fringing communities.
4. Understand how these communities are linked through food webs and nutrient cycling. Understand how anthropogenic activities affect aquatic habitats and communities.
5. Be familiar with the process of graphing limnology data and writing sections of a scientific research paper.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and facts related to a specific discipline.
2.3 Identify, interpret, and evaluate pertinent data and previous experience to reach conclusions.

3. Communication

Definition: Understanding and producing effective written, spoken, visual, and non-verbal communication.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
3.1 Recognize, read, and comprehend academic and/or professional writing.
3.4 Produce academic and/or professional writing and integrate it into written and spoken projects.

4. Community & Cultural Diversity

Definition: Recognizing the value of human communities and cultures from multiple perspectives through a critical understanding of their similarities and differences.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
4.2 Understand, value and respect human differences and commonalities as they relate to issues of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities and culture.

5. Global & Local Awareness & Responsibility

Definition: Understanding the complexity and interdependence of, and stewardship responsibilities to, local and global communities and environments.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
5.1 Understand the impact of their own and other’s actions on local/global communities and environments and how those communities/environments affect them in turn.
5.3 Understand the consequences of choices as they relate to local/global community and environmental issues.

8. Mathematical Reasoning

Definition: Understanding and applying concepts of mathematics and logical reasoning in a variety of contexts, both academic and non-academic.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
8.3 Interpret information and reasoning expressed mathematically (for example in spreadsheets, diagrams, charts, formulas, etc.).

9. Scientific Literacy

Definition: Understanding scientific principles, and analyzing and applying scientific information in a variety of contexts.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
9.1 Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental scientific concepts.

10. Technology

Definition: Understanding the role of technology in society and using technology appropriately and effectively.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
10.3 Use technology appropriate to the context and task to effectively retrieve and manage information, solve problems, and facilitate communication.

Course Contents

1. Introduction, morphometry, origin and classification of lakes. Light in lakes, heat in lakes, water movement in lakes.
2. Physical factors affecting lake ecosystems. Chemical factors.
3. Trophic status. DO/CO2.
4. Nutrient cycling. Nitrogen and phosphates and other ions.
5. Biota of lakes - bacteria, viruses, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and vascular plants. Includes lake management.
6. Food webs.
7. Anthropogenic impacts.
8. Lake foodwebs.