Teaching

EAS 409/ENV 409/EEB 487 Ecology of Fishes

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Fishes have a higher rate of endangerment than all other classes of vertebrates, due the varied and intensive human use of aquatic resources. Ecology of Fishes is a course focusing on the interactions between fishes and their environments. The course broadly covers physiology, life-history, predator-prey interactions and population and community level responses to biotic and abiotic factors in freshwater streams and lakes and marine habitats. We discuss adaptations for survival under different environmental constraints, basic fisheries concepts and concerns and fish conservation. Throughout the semester we consider a series of classic and recent studies which illustrate varied ecological concepts.

EAS 501.025 Science and Management of the Great Lakes

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course reviews the broad sciences required for appreciation and understanding of the Great Lakes Ecosystem, and simultaneously explores the challenges inherent in sustainable management of both the Lakes themselves and the societal benefits they support. A rich collection of online lectures by regional experts will provide background scientific understanding of the Great Lakes as a vast, complex and invaluable ecosystem. Class activities will include weekly case studies that illustrate the complexities of current management and policy initiatives aimed at sustaining ecosystem health and services; each case study exercise will be resourced by an experienced guest practitioner from the Great Lakes community. Students will also lead a series of literature discussions that examine aspects of research, policy, planning and governance. A series of synthesis assignments build from developing individual policy briefs to essays to group presentations on insights gained over the semester

EAS 507 Interpreting Research in Conservation Ecology

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course builds broad knowledge on a range of current topics in ecology, earth sciences and conservation. Topics range from citizen science to data integration, from forests to fishes, from genetics to populations, communities and ecosystems. Students will have the opportunity to interact with top scientists in their field and evaluate research at the frontiers of conservation ecology. The course will read and discuss recent papers and examine how science is communicated in public seminars. The course examines how research is shared, collaborations are developed and how the cross-pollination of ideas between labs, universities and practitioners improves conservation. This course will prepare students to assess the state of knowledge on applied topics, to identify gaps and evaluate recent developments and to translate science to audiences. These practices are continually refined in both academic and non-academic careers in our field.

ENV 463 Michigan Fishes in Changing Environments (UMBS-TLP)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Michigan fish communities are facing rapidly changing climates, habitat fragmentation and degradation, and increasing species invasions. In this field course, students investigate the impacts of these changes. Students learn fish identification, handling, and sampling, habitat description and water quality assessment. In addition, you will also learn field photography, tissue sampling, specimen preservation and data management and analysis methods. Collections will be prepared for accession into the collection at the Museum of Zoology where they will contribute to the long-term record of Michigan biodiversity. The class includes a sampling trip on the Inland Seas research schooner in Lake Michigan and small-group research or science communication projects. More information: https://lsa.umich.edu/umbs/students/courses/michigan-fishes.html