AQUATIC & FISHERIES ECOLOGY BL/ENVS 410, SPRING 2011 SYLLABUS Meeting Time and Place: MWF 11:30am-12:20pm, 204 Science Building Instructor: Michael Ghedotti, 225 Pomponio Science, e-mail: [email protected] Office hours: MWF 10:30am-11:25am & R 10:00am-12:00pm Course Materials: Dobson, M. and C. Frid. 2009. Ecology of Aquatic Systems. Oxford U. Press. = E.A.S. Greenberg, P. 2010. Four Fish, The Future of the Last Wild Food. The Penguin Press. = 4F Halverson, A. 2010. An Entirely Synthetic Fish, How Rainbow Trout Beguiled America and Overran the World. Yale U. Press. = A.E.S.F. Simbiotic Software. Limiting Nutrients and Go Fish. CD and Workbooks. Bulletin Course Description (and course Goals): Develops student knowledge of the ecology of freshwater and marine systems, emphasizing aquatic conservation and use of aquatic resources. Identifies aquatic resource use issues, then invites students to apply a range of perspectives to develop an integrative position regarding aquatic resource issues. Course Outcomes: Students will be able to… 1. define the major terms used in aquatic and fisheries ecology, 2. explain the major organizing concepts used in aquatic and fisheries ecology, 3. explain basic economic considerations and government regulatory structure associated with aquatic resource use, 4. identify points of conflict among different individual and disciplinary perspectives regarding aquatic resource use issues, 5. apply scientific, economic, political, and social knowledge about aquatic resource issues, to develop a coherent and integrative position regarding an aquatic resource issue, and 6. recognize environmental and social justice concerns in a range of aquatic resource issues. Grading: Student grades will be determined as follows: Exam 1 ........................................................................................... 10% Comprehensive Exam 2 ................................................................. 15% Comprehensive Exam 3 ................................................................. 18% Comprehensive Final Exam .......................................................... 25% Fisheries Resource Issue Stakeholder Assignment......................... 5% Fisheries Resource Issue Stakeholder Presentation .......................2% Fisheries Resource Issue Solutions Paper (including draft)........... 18% Simbiotic Nutrient Pollution Exercise Workbook .............................. 2% Reading Quizzes (2 @ 2.5% each).................................................. 5% Total 100% GRADING SCALE—The grading scale based on a percent scale will be as follows. A = 100–92.50 B- = 82.49–79.50 D+ = 69.49–66.50 A- = 92.49–89.50 C+ = 79.49–76.50 D = 66.49–62.50 B+ = 89.49–86.50 C = 76.49–72.50 D- = 62.49–59.50 B = 86.49–82.50 C- = 72.49–69.50 F = <59.49 Examinations are designed to assess if students have learned the course material as well as to encourage students to learn and synthesize the material covered previously in the course.Reading Quizzes are designed to ensure that students read the books that will be center of discussion for the following days. These quizzes will focus on larger themes and the author’s point. It is recommended that students take general notes as they read. Fisheries Resource Stakeholder Assignment & Solution Paper/Presentation: This series of assignments seeks to develop students’ abilities to integrate and discuss an environmental resource issue from multiple perspectives and propose a possible solution. It is expected that the assignment and the draft paper will be turned in on their due dates. A late paper draft will be accepted with a point penalty. No late assignments or draft papers will be accepted more than one week after the due date. Simulation Software Exercise: Students will be required to complete a purchased Simbiotic workbook for the Nutrient Pollution module using the software on the included CD. The material in this exercise also will be the included in the material to be tested in subsequent examinations. Attendance: Attendance at lectures is expected. Exams or in-class quizzes may NOT be taken before or after their scheduled date. Disability Statement: If you have a documented disability that may require academic adjustments for this course, or you suspect that you may have a disability, please contact Joie Williams, Director of Disability Services (303.458.4941, or [email protected]). If possible, contact Disabilities Services (Coors Life Directions Center 118) at the beginning of the semester so that you can receive accommodations for the complete semester. Accommodations are not retroactive. Possible Grading Inaccuracies: If you think that something was mistakenly graded as incorrect, please notify your instructor. Wait at least one day (a “cooling off” period) and resubmit the test or outline to your instructor with a brief written explanation of why you think the grading was in error. No grading re-consideration requests for assignments (other than the final exam) will be accepted after the final exam. Putting Your Name on Assignments is the student’s responsibility (first and last name). Not putting a name on an assignment will result in a 0% grade for that assignment. Cellular Phones & Text Messaging: Turn phones off during the class period. If you have a special need to keep one on, you must obtain the instructor’s permission. Give the class your full attention. Use of Laptop Computers in Class: Studies have shown that use of laptops in class correlates with poor grades for the student AND for other students able to see the screen. Thus, students may NOT use laptops or iPads to take notes in class (unless it is a disability accommodation or granted special instructor permission). Excused Absence: Serious illness documented with a note from a health care provider (not a regularly scheduled appointment), a death in the family, jury duty, required appearance as a legal witness, and NCAA athletic/forensic competition are reasons for excused absences. Absences due to oversleeping, vacations, parties, hangovers, forgetfulness, arrest, or police detention for misconduct are unexcused absences. Whether any other absences are excused or unexcused is entirely at the discretion of the instructor. A final exam missed for an excused absence will be rescheduled. Other assignments or exams missed due to an excused absence will be averaged out of your