Advances in Aquatic Sciences

Course manual 2020/2021

Course content

This is an advanced course that gives an overview of:

• the physical, chemical, and biological processes that are of key importance for the functioning of aquatic ecosystems.
• the different aquatic ecosystems, their functions, and the organisms that inhabit these ecosystems.
• some major threats to aquatic ecosystems and possible (management) solutions to these threats.

A thorough understanding of aquatic ecosystems, how they function, who inhabits them and what threatens them
provides an essential background for further studies in the master Freshwater and Marine Biology.
The course consists of:

• lectures and seminars providing a firm theoretical background
• fieldwork in Dutch lakes in combination with analysis of field samples in the lab and analysis of field data in laptop
  lectures
• examples of different scientific aspects of water management, e.g. determining water and sediment quality, functioning of a waste water treatment plant, cleaning of drinking water, ecological water management. 

Study materials

Literature

• The book "Freshwater Ecology, Concepts and Environmental Applications of Limnology"

Software

• Matlab

Other

• powerpoints of lectures, selfstudy material and scientific paper which will be made available on Canvas

Objectives

• The student is able to describe the major physical, chemical and biological processes in aquatic systems and to explain how these processes interact.
• The student is able to apply physical and chemical principles to solve equations relevant for aquatic systems.
• The student is able to describe the major aquatic ecosystems, their functions and some of the organisms that inhabit these ecosystems.
• The student is able to describe the major threats to aquatic ecosystems, how they impact ecosystem structure and functioning and describe possible solutions to these threats.
• The student has developed practical skills to sample and study aquatic ecosystems, for example, sample depth profiles of physical-chemical parameters, sample water for nutrient, chlorophyll and phytoplankton analysis,  perform bioassays with field samples in the laboratory.
• The student is able to analyze physical, chemical and biological data of aquatic ecosystems
• The student is able to interpret how the measured physical, chemical and biological parameters interact.
• The student is able to orally present the sampling, analysis and interpretation of data derived from fieldwork.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Seminar
• Laptop seminar
• Fieldwork/excursion
• Presentation/symposium
• Self-study
• Supervision/feedback meeting

Learning activities

Attendance

This programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (TER part B).

Additional requirements for this course:

Attendance during lectures is highly recommended.

Attendance during practical components (fieldwork, seminars, labwork, excursions) is mandatory.

The course coordinator has to be informed in case a student cannot attend one of the practical components. 

Due to Corona restrictions students are asked to stay at home when they have Corona-related symptoms, or to quarantaine if they have been in contact with somebody that was diagnosed with Corona. In this case, attendance during practical components is not mandatory.

Assessment

The assessment of the course consists of a theoretical component (the exam with a weight of 0.75) and a practical component (with a total weight of 0.25).

• The exam has a weight of 0.75 of the total grade, and is an online open book exam. The study material consists of the powerpoint lectures and selfstudy indicated on Canvas. During the exam you are allowed to use the study material. The exam will consist of an assignment in Canvas. This element has a resit.
• The resit of the exam is an oral exam.
• The practical component of the course does not have a resit, and is assessed as follows: participation and collaboration in lab and fieldwork (weight = 0.125), oral presentation of the practical work (weight = 0.125)

Inspection of assessed work

When the students get their grades they are informed that they can inspect their assessed work, the questions and assignments set, as well as the answer models or assessment models upon request.

Assignments

• Hydromodel assignment (results of calculating lake stratification in a Hydromodel).  This is a non-graded group assignment. Feedback will be given in an online feedback session.
• Perusal assignment: annotating and discussing a scientific paper on sediment quality. This is a non-graded individual assignment. Feedback will be given in an online lecture.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. Jolanda Verspagen