Course Syllabus
DESCRIPTION
You will be exposed to the complex relationships between freshwater ecosystems and human societies, including topics associated with freshwater biology, management, conservation and sustainability. The first part of the course focuses on establishing key concepts in freshwater ecology, and the second part delves into applied issues involving conservation and management of river, wetland, and lake ecosystems.
Lectures are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1:30p-2:20p in FSH 102 (Both A and B sections; SLN 15114 & 15115)
Labs are Tuesday 1:30p-4:20p in FTR 124 (B section only)
Field trips are February 11th and 12th 9a-5p (B section only)
Final Exam will be on Monday, March 13 2:30p-4:20p in (Both A and B sections)
COURSE INSTRUCTORS
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Julian Olden, PhD Aquatic and Fishery Sciences Email: Via Canvas Office hours: Wed 12-1p in FSH 318A or by appointment |
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Gordon Holtgrieve, PhD Aquatic and Fishery Sciences Email: gholt@uw.edu Office hours: Wednesdays 3-4p in FSH 316B or by appointment |
LABORATORY LEADERS/TAs
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Kelly Neal Aquatic and Fishery Sciences Email: kaneal@uw.edu Office hours: Thursday 2-3pm in FSH 260C or by appointment |
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Emily Jameson Aquatic and Fishery Sciences Email: ejameson@uw.edu Office hours: Tuesday 11am-12N in FSH 317 or by appointment |
COURSE OBJECTIVES
As a result of this course, students will have a strong understanding of the critical linkages between water, the environment, and human society. Course aims include:
- Introduce students to the physical, chemical, and biological processes that structure freshwater ecosystems.
- Explore how human societies (both past and current) benefit from functioning freshwater ecosystems.
- Understand how freshwater ecosystems are being affected by human activities such as climate change, land use practices, transporting invasive species, and contributing to nutrient pollution and how this, in turn, impacts human societies.
- Gain exposure to the concepts and methods used to understand the ecology of freshwaters and implement management practices that promote short-term benefits and long-term sustainability.
- Develop student’s writing and oral skills to effectively communicate issues to a variety of audiences.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will develop a broad understanding of the ecology of freshwaters at an introductory level and explore ways that society can reduce their impacts on water resources, At the end of this course students will have gained critical environmental literacy and be able to:
- Demonstrate through short answers and multiple choice testing a basic understanding of the physical, chemical and biological processes important to healthy freshwater ecosystems. The primary information source to students will be in-class lecture and lab discussions, supplemented with additional readings.
- Understand how fresh waters support human societies through ecosystem services, critically assess how human alteration of freshwaters jeopardize those services, and evaluate common tradeoffs associated with human use of fresh waters. Assessment will be through short answers and multiple-choice testing combined with narrative writing and group debate.
- Identify how concepts from the course relate to specific case studies and ongoing management programs. Information will be presented in readings and critical documentaries, and assessment will be through short essay exercises as part of the weekly reviews and blog assignments.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
There is no required textbook for this course. Instead, we will assign weekly readings and videos.
ONLINE TOOLS AND DEVICES
We will use Canvas to disseminate resources for the class (i.e., learning goals for each session, readings, files, etc.). To access materials on the website, you will need your UW NetID and password. Please turn on your Canvas notifications and check your UW email regularly. More information on how to use Canvas here.
Computers/laptops will be required for this class. If you do not have a personal laptop, you can check out one from the Student Technology Loan Program here.
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
Lectures (A and B sections): Class lectures will cover core concepts in freshwater ecology and sustainability, including active learning using break-out group work.
Weekly reviews (A and B sections): To help understanding of the lecture material, each week you will create an overview summary that synthesizes your knowledge of the week’s concepts. This can be done in a pictorial format using flowcharts, diagrams and graphs – not text. Summary sheets are due every Friday at 11:59 pm, and submissions will be in pdf and via Canvas. Example formats are provided on Canvas.
Labs (B section only): The lab sessions will comprise a mixture of instruction, independent research and critiques of environmental documentaries and issues, which collectively reinforce the key concepts presented in lecture. Most labs will have a weekly graded assignment that we ask you to submit online. There is no formal lab manual that needs to be purchased for this course. Instead, all of the lab exercises will be available on Canvas. We expect that you will have read the exercise before your lab begins.
Field trips (B section only): Each student is required to participate both one-day field trips scheduled for February 11th and 12th 2023. Students will meet 9a on Saturday and Sunday mornings and return to campus roughly 5p the same day. The majority of time will be spent outdoors, so be prepared for the weather rain or shine. There will be a written assignment specific to the trip, which will be due a maximum of two weeks after the second day. You will find out the specifics on these assignments the week of the trip. The field trips will explore the Green-Duwamish River – starting in the mountainous headwaters of the Cascade Mountains, through Howard Hanson Reservoir (trip 1), and finishing in industrialized estuary is known as the Duwamish Waterway (trip 2). Green-Duwamish River is a true working riverscape with substantial cultural significance. During these field trips you will hear from experts at WDFW, King County, TNC, City of Seattle, and the Duwamish People. This will be an immersive experience.
Exams (A and B sections): Exams will be in person during lecture periods. Exams will consist of a series of multiple-choice and short-answer questions. Midterm I: Exam will include questions from all lectures and reading material covered until this point. Midterm II: Exam may include questions from all lectures and reading material covered until this point. The primary focus will be on material covered from the first midterm through to the second. Final Exam: The final will be comprehensive and may include questions from all lectures and reading material covered, although the primary focus will be on material from the second midterm to the end of the class.
GRADING
Grades will be based on the following breakdown of points:
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A section (SLN: 15114):
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B section (SLN: 15115):
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The course is graded such that everyone to get an A! Numeric grades are assigned based on equally spaced bins between the top grade in the course, which is assigned a 4.0, and the minimum passing grade, which is assigned a 0.7. Meeting the passing grade requires a 50% minimum score in each grading category (summary sheets, exams, lab assignments) and 80% completion of assignments. Students must take the final exam in order to receive credit for the course.
Re-grading
If you feel that an exam or assignment has been graded unfairly or that a mistake has been made, you may submit a regrade request WITHIN ONE WEEK of being handed back the assignment or exam. Requests must be submitted in writing and must be handed in at lecture. Requests should be stapled to the original assignment. E-mails and conversations cannot substitute for a written request.
Policy on late submission and exam attendance
We have designed this course to maximize your learning of the subject matter and advance your skills through a variety of activities. Therefore, our attendance policy is aimed at supporting our educational goals.
Assignments designed to help you prepare for class (e.g. online pre-class quizzes, summary sheets, discussions or homework due in class or section) or work scheduled to be presented or performed in class (e.g. Poll Everywhere questions, presentations, leading discussions) will not be accepted after the due date and time.
Lab assignments that are submitted late will incur a 10% deduction for every 24-hr period that the work is late, starting from the deadline given in class. In other words, if you are given a deadline of 5:00pm, and you hand in the assignment at 5:01pm, you will lose 10%.
Exam Attendance: Exams are only offered on the scheduled dates and “make up” exams will not be offered.
Excused absences: Our attendance and participation policies are flexible only under specific circumstances.
Excused absences are religious holidays, pre-approved professional activities, injury or illness of student or immediate family member. Verification of these events will be needed. We strongly encourage you to give us notification of anticipated absences as early as possible.
LECTURE SCHEDULE
| Week | Monday | Wednesday | Friday |
| 1 | No Classes | Class Introduction |
Freshwater Biogeography |
| 2 | The physical template of freshwaters | The chemical environment in freshwaters | The great diversity of freshwater life |
| 3 | MLK Day - No Classes | Freshwater plants | Freshwater microbes |
| 4 | Freshwater invertebrates | Midterm I | Freshwater vertebrates |
| 5 | Interfaces with land -- the riparian zone. | Biological Interactions -- predation | Biological Interactions -- competition & parasitism |
| 6 | Ecosystem scale processes | Issues: climate change | Issues: land conversion |
| 7 | Issues: invasive species | Issues: dams | Issues: nutrients & pollution |
| 8 | Presidents Day - No Classes | Midterm II | Freshwater Ecosystems Services |
| 9 | Sustainable water use | Freshwaters in the food system | Freshwaters in the energy system |
| 10 | Principles of conservation I | Principles of conservation II | Wrap up |
LAB SCHEDULE
| Week | Activity |
| 1 | No lab |
| 2 | Riverscapes and WA hydrology |
| 3 | Freshwater Biodiversity |
| 4 | Documentary I |
| 5 | Macroinvertebrates |
| 6 | Museum tours |
| 7 | Documentary II |
| 8 | Brightwater Water Treatment Tour |
| 9 | Documentary II |
| 10 | Debate |
Lab and lecture schedules are tentative and subject to change.
INCLUSIVITY
In an ideal world, science would be objective. However, our experiences and backgrounds mean that scientific thought and the interpretation of science can be subjective. We aim to create a learning environment that supports a diversity of thoughts, perspectives and experiences, and honors everyone’s backgrounds and identities. To help accomplish this goal, we will foster a culture in which each class member is able to respect and hear each other. We ask for everyone to be considerate of each other’s views and be mindful of your own. There are uncomfortable situations that may arise in class, and sometimes these occur despite the intentions of your colleagues or your instructors. There are several steps we can take towards alleviating some of this discomfort. Please come and discuss the situation with us or, if you prefer, we will be happy to direct you to resources within SAFS or University.
POLICIES
Conduct
The University of Washington Student Conduct Code (WAC 478-121) defines prohibited academic and behavioral conduct and describes how the University holds students accountable as they pursue their academic goals. Allegations of misconduct by students may be referred to the appropriate campus office for investigation and resolution. More information can be found here.
Academic Integrity
The University takes academic integrity very seriously. Behaving with integrity is part of our responsibility to our shared learning community. If , ask your instructors or TAs. Note that we have the responsibility to report all cases of suspected misconduct, so please ask if you are uncertain if something is academic misconduct.
Acts of academic misconduct may include but are not limited to:
Cheating: unauthorized assistance in person and/or online for assignments, quizzes, tests or exams, using another student’s work without permission and instructor authorization, allowing anyone to take a course, assignment or exam for you without instructor authorization.
Falsification: intentional use of falsified data, information or records.
Plagiarism: representing the work of others as your own without giving appropriate credit to the original author(s).
Unauthorized collaboration: working with each other on assignments without permission.
Engaging in behavior prohibited by an instructor.
Multiple submissions of the same work in different courses without instructor permission.
Deliberately damaging or destroying student work to gain advantage.
Unauthorized recording, and/or subsequent dissemination of instructional content.
Concerns about these or other behaviors prohibited by the Student Conduct Code will be referred for investigation and adjudication by (include information for specific campus offices). Students found to have engaged in academic misconduct may receive a zero on the assignment (or another possible outcome).
Religious Accommodations
Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/).
Access and Accommodations
Your experience in this class is important. It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law. Full participation in this course requires the following types of engagement:
Lectures: The ability to attend tri-weekly lectures of 50 minutes with >50 other students. The ability to collaborate in teams; includes worksheets, short discussions of data, the ability to talk in public.
Labs: The ability to manipulate lab equipment; includes repetitive motions, use of microscopes and standing for 3 hours. The ability to manipulate and dissect live and preserved specimens. The ability to spend 3 hours in computer labs to analyze data. The ability to collaborate in teams; includes 10–15-minute data presentations and discussions.
Field trips: The ability to manipulate equipment; includes repetitive motions, and standing for extended periods of time regardless the weather condition and the time of the day. The ability to collaboratively collect, analyze and interpret data and primary literature; involves computer work, creating text, uploading assignments.
Exams: The ability to answer a set of multiple choice and short-answer questions designed to be completed within 50 or 90 minutes on Canvas.
If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please activate your accommodations via myDRS so we can discuss how they will be implemented in this course. If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), contact DRS directly to set up an Access Plan. DRS facilitates the interactive process that establishes reasonable accommodations. Contact DRS here.
Excused Absence from Class
Students are expected to attend class and to participate in all graded activities, including midterms and final examinations. A student who is anticipating being absent from class due to a Religious Accommodation activity needs to complete the Religious Accommodations request process by the second Friday of the quarter. Students who anticipate missing class due to attendance at academic conferences or field trips, or participation in university-sponsored activities should provide a written notice to the instructor ahead of the absence. The instructor will determine if the graded activity or exam can be rescheduled or if there is equivalent work that can be done as an equivalent, as determined by the instructor.
Face Coverings in the Classroom
The health and safety of the University of Washington community are the institution’s priorities. Please review and adhere to the UW COVID Face Covering Policy.
Medical Excuse Notes
Students are expected to attend class and to participate in all graded activities, including midterms and final examinations. To protect student privacy and the integrity of the academic experience, students will not be required to provide a medical excuse note to justify an absence from class due to illness. A student absence from any graded class activity or examination due to illness must request, in writing, to take a rescheduled examination or perform work judged by the instructor to be the equivalent. Students are responsible for taking any number of examinations for which they are scheduled on a given day and may not request an adjustment for this reason alone.
Safety
Call SafeCampus at 206-685-7233 anytime – no matter where you work or study – to anonymously discuss safety and well-being concerns for yourself or others. SafeCampus’s team of caring professionals will provide individualized support, while discussing short- and long-term solutions and connecting you with additional resources when requested.
Sex- and Gender-based Violence and Harassment
UW, through numerous policies, prohibits sex- and gender-based violence and harassment, and we expect students, faculty, and staff to act professionally and respectfully in all work, learning, and research environments. For support, resources, and reporting options related to sex- and gender-based violence or harassment, visit UW Title IX’s webpage, specifically the Know Your Rights & Resources guide.