Limnology, 15 Credits

Contents

Overall, this course addresses the fundamental physical, chemical, and ecological attributes of freshwater systems, including rivers and lakes. Laboratory work will introduce students to aquatic biota that are common to northern aquatic ecosystems, with an emphasis on how different organismal groups can be used to understand and monitor the ecological health and chemical status of rivers and lakes. In this context, students will conduct small group projects that explore how the diversity and composition of stream benthic communities can be used to assess environmental changes on land. Additional course lectures and discussions will then focus on a broader set of foundational limnological themes. These include how we understand the hydrological and thermal properties of lakes and rivers, how geomorphological processes (e.g., sediment transport) act to mediate the aquatic habitat template, how physical processes (e.g., lake circulation) drive the dynamics of key nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus), and finally how aquatic ecosystem processes (e.g., photosynthesis and respiration) can mediate elemental cycles and water quality.  These themes will emphasis basic concepts and processes, but where relevant will also place these in the context of relevant environmental changes (e.g., climate change and nutrient pollution).  

The course is divided into the following (two) modules:

Module 1. Freshwater organisms and biodiversity, 5 credits
The module provides an overview of aquatic fauna in northern rivers and lakes, illustrating how different groups can provide insight into water quality and ecosystem health. This section emphasizes practical laboratory work focused on benthic macroinvertebrate taxonomy, life history, and ecology, including how these organisms are used in biomonitoring.

Module 2. Physical, chemical, and ecosystem attributes of freshwater ecosystems, 10 credits
This module introduces students to a broader set of topics in limnology, including an introduction to hydrology, sediment transport, and nutrient dynamics. Students will also learn how key ecosystem processes in freshwaters are regulated by the physical and chemical environment, and how these, in turn, shape the cycling and fate of carbon and nutrients. 

Expected learning outcomes

To pass the course (with a G), students must be able to:

Module 1 - Freshwater organisms and biodiversity 5 credits
FSR1. Identify common benthic macroinvertebrate families, understand life history attributes and habitat associations, and know how this information can be qualitatively used to monitor ecosystem health and water quality.              

Module 2 - Physical, chemical, and ecosystem attributes of freshwater ecosystems 10 credits
FSR 2. Understand the basic physical and chemical attributes of river and lake ecosystems including hydrological, thermal, and sediment dynamics. 
FSR 3. Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental aquatic ecosystem processes and how these are influenced by the physical and chemical environment.
FSR 4. Be able to discuss how climate and anthropogenic drivers impact aquatic communities and ecosystem processes.

For VG, upon completing the course, students must be able to:

Module 1 - Freshwater organisms and biodiversity
FSR 5. Demonstrate knowledge of macroinvertebrate taxonomy at the genus and species level

Module 2 - Physical, chemical, and ecosystem attributes of freshwater ecosystems
FSR 6. Critically evaluate how environmental and climate-related changes may alter the physical, chemical, and biological attributes of freshwater ecosystems. This includes the ability to compare the impacts of different environmental drivers and examine how aquatic ecosystem responses to environmental change may feedback onto broader biogeochemical cycles (e.g., of carbon or nutrients).  

Required Knowledge

Univ: 60 credits biology of which 15 credits ecology or 60 credits earth science/physical geography and 15 credits ecology or 60 credits environmental science and 15 credits ecology, or equivalent knowledge. English B/6 and Swedish for basic eligibility for university studies if the education is given in Swedish.

Form of instruction

The teaching includes lectures, project studies, laboratory work, report writing, and oral presentations. Laboratory work, reports, and participation in group activities are mandatory. 

Examination modes

The course is examined through group activities, laboratory work, a written report and a written exam. Grades given on the different examinations, as well as on the entire course, are failed (U), passed (G) and passed with distinction (VG). Group activities are graded U or G. The rest of the examinations are graded U to VG. To achieve VG on the entire course, the student must receive VG on the written (final) exam and at least one of the other examinations. To be passed the entire course (with a G), all exams and compulsory components must be passed. The final grade on the course constitutes a summary assessment of the results in the various parts of the examination and is only given when all compulsory components have been assessed. Students who have failed an exam are entitled to retake the exam. Those who have passed an exam are not permitted to retake the exam for a higher grade. A student who has taken two exams for a course or part of a course without passing the exam has the right to have another examiner appointed, unless there are special reasons against it (HF Chapter 6, Section 22). Requests for a new examiner are made to the Head of the Department of Ecology, Environment and Geosciences.

Examiners may decide to deviate from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaption of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaption of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaption of the examination, after which the student will be notified.

Credit transfer

Students have the right to have their previous education or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired in professional activities assessed as eligible for credit transfer towards equivalent education at Umeå University. Applications for credit transfer are submitted to the Student Centre/Examina. More information about credit transfer can be found on Umeå University's student website, www.student.umu.se, and in the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 6). A rejection of an application for credit transfer can be appealed (Chapter 12 of the Higher Education Ordinance) to the Appeals Board for the university. This applies to both the rejection of the entire application for credit transfer and parts of it.

Other regulations

In the event that the course syllabus ceases to be valid or undergoes major changes, students are guaranteed at least three examination opportunities (including regular examination opportunities) according to the regulations in the course syllabus for which the student was originally registered for a period of maximum two years from the date the previous course syllabus ceases to be valid or the course is no longer offered.