Entry requirements

At least two years of basic courses in Natural Sciences, equivalent to 50 points/75 ECTS credits in Biology and 20 points/30 ECTS credits in Chemistry. Biology courses should include Cell Biology, Genetics and Gene Technology, Structure and Physiology of Organisms, and Ecology.

Learning outcomes

One of the major aims with this course is that the students should be able to bind together different parts of limnology to be able to work with issues that connects to aquatic systems and related areas.

After the course, the student should be able to

* understand and present structure and function of different aquatic systems

* understand and present important processes within and between different parts of an aquatic system

* understand and present processes that are required for a sustainable development of aquatic systems

* understand and present seasonal variation and its control in different organisms

* understand and present growth and nutrient preferences in different organism groups

* understand and present the role of the bacteria in the cycle of different elements in aquatic systems

* analyse and evaluate abiotic properties in different aquatic systems

* identify and describe quantitatively important art and characteristic species in different aquatic systems including phytoplankton, attached algae and higher plants and zooplankton, benthic fauna and fish

* independent carry out water sampling and use common hydrochemical analytical methods

* independently carry out qualitative samplings and analyses of plankton, benthic fauna and fish

* compile and process field and laboratory data

* present and explain results of studies in aquatic environments both oral and in writing

* actively participate in discussions during seminars and group exercises

* make critical comparative analyses of data

* Communicate principles, problems and research findings with specialists and non-specialists in topics covered during the course.

Content

The course comprises both physical, chemical and biological aspects. Different lake types are studied, such as eutrophic lakes in the agricultural landscape and nutrient-poor forest lakes and running water.

Abiotic properties: Lake morphometry. Optical and thermal properties of the water, dissolved gases, trace elements, nutrients, salts and organic compounds. Sampling theory is also included, as well as sedimentology, palaeolimnology and an orientation in aquatic environmental problems such as eutrophication and acidification

Biotic properties: Primary and secondary producers: phytoplankton, attached algae, shore plants, macrophytes and submerged plants, zooplankton, benthic fauna and fish. Quantitatively important species, characteristic species for different lake types and pollution-indicating species are treated, as well as seasonal variation and its control factors and growth and nutrient preferences. Furthermore, microbial limnology and the role in the cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron and sulphur and aerobic and anaerobic microbial processes of the bacteria are included.

Field course. Practical training in sampling and analysis methodology, training in independent work and group cooperation and in oral and written presentation. Under the field course, the different parts of the limnology should be linked to give the students an increased understanding of the structure and function of the limnic ecosystems.

Instruction

Teaching is given in the form of lectures, group tuition, seminars, field course and laboratory sessions. Attendance in the laboratory work and connected lessons is compulsory. The course may be given in English.

Assessment

The course is divided into the following modules: Species identification 3 credits; Field course 4.5 credits; Literature and seminars 7.5 credits. To pass the module species identification it is required that all the tests within the module are passed. Participation in seminars, field trips, laboratory sessions and field course are compulsory and required for the grade passed in the other modules. The theory part comprises, in addition to seminars and exercises a written examination immediately before the field course.