Catalog Course Search Details

 Department:    ENVC

 Course #:    112

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5.5

 CIP:    030101

 EPC:    165

 REV:    2019

 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.
6. PROGRAM OUTCOME: Outline an ecological sampling design.
7. PROGRAM OUTCOME: Water or wastewater license; how many students successfully obtain a state license within the first year after graduation.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

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

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.