Class hours

To be announced.

Course objectives

1.      Students will review current scientific literature dealing with fish ecology.

2.      Students will go more in-depth on some topics covered in ichthyology.

3.      Students will discuss basic ecological principles in fish ecology and become familiar with new concepts.

4.      Students will learn to critique scientific papers and evaluate research studies.

5.      Students will gain experience in making class presentation and leading discussions

Grading

Graduate students

Questions

70

Participation

70

Discussion lead

50

Critiques (4)

160

Presentation

50

Total

400

points

Final grades will be based on a tentative percentage scale:  A 92-100%, A- 90-92%, B+ 88-90%, B 82-88%, B- 80-82%, C+ 78-80%, C 72 - 78%, C- 70-72%, D+ 68-70, D 60–69%, E <60%

Questions and participation

You will be graded on your critical reading skills and participation in class.  Everyone is expected to read the papers prior to class and participate in a lively discussion.  Each student should bring two typed, meaningful questions on each of the papers assigned for the week.  The questions should focus on the methods, results and/or interpretation of results and include an explanation that leads to your question.  The questions should demonstrate that you have read and digested the papers. 

Discussion lead

You will be responsible for leading discussions during the semester.  The discussion should begin with a 20 minute presentation, which includes any background material to clarify the papers and followed by a brief presentation of the papers.  Highlight the most important issues raised by the papers.  Discussion leaders should also prepare a handout summarizing the questions and conclusions of the paper.  The handout is due to Dr. Galarowicz by 5 p.m. the night before class.  In addition, the discussion leader for the following week should prepare a five minute introduction to the topic for the next week.

Critiques

Students are required to write a critical review of a fisheries ecology paper (published after 2000).  The paper must be approved by Dr. Galarowicz, and a copy of the article must be submitted with the paper.  A critique emphasizes the strengths and weakness of the ideas behind the paper; it is designed to help others understand the content, its validity, and its usefulness.  Your critique should seek to answer the following questions: 1) Is the problem relevant? 2) Did the author(s) use appropriate methodology?  3) Were the conclusions justified?  4) Would you have done anything differently? 5) Does this open up new areas for research?   The critique should have the following:

1. A complete, correct, bibliographic citation at the top of the first page.  Use the style found in Transactions of the American Fisheries Society.
2. A short (200-250 word), single-spaced descriptive abstract of the article.  Summarize the author’s purpose, methods, results, and conclusions.  Don’t copy the article’s published abstract!  Write your own abstract based on your reading of the article. 
3. A double-spaced (700-900 word) response.  Critically consider the article’s content and evaluate its importance.  Demonstrate that you have read, understood, and carefully considered the article.  Discuss the issue(s) the article raisers for you.  Choose two or three specific things about the article that you can address.  Cite page numbers when paraphrasing or quoting from the article. 

Presentation

Each student will present a PowerPoint presentation of an aquatic ecology topic (one not discussed in class).  The presentation must include data figures and/or tables from your primary sources (at least five).  A data figure or table used in publication might not be appropriate for your presentation – you may need to modify or recreate figures or tables. 

Make-up and late assignments

Make-up exams are only given under special circumstances (e.g., family emergency, serious illness, approved university event).  If you must miss an exam due to an approved scheduled event, contact me prior to the event to arrange a different testing time.  If you miss an exam due to an emergency, contact me as soon as possible to arrange a different testing time.  Written documentation may be required for absences.  Please notify appropriate university officials if an emergency or illness will result in an extended absence.  For each day that a written assignment is late, 10% of the potential points will be deducted from that assignment.

Regrades

If you would like to contest a grade on an exam or assignment, you must submit a written explanation of why you think the grade was incorrect.  Please note that the ENTIRE exam or assignment will be subject to reevaluation (i.e., your grade may go up, down, or stay the same).  Regrade requests must be made within one week after the exam or assignment is returned to the class. 

Policy on Students with Disabilities

CMU provides students with disabilities reasonable accommodation to participate in educational programs, activities or services.  Students with disabilities requiring accommodation to participate in class activities or meet requirements should first register with the Office of Student Disability Services (250 Foust Hall, telephone #517-774-3018, TDD #2568), and then contact me as soon as possible.

Policy on Academic Integrity

In May 2001, the CMU Academic Senate approved the Policy on Academic Integrity, which applies to all university students.  Copies are available on the CMU website at http://academicsenate.cmich.edu/noncurric.htm, and in the Academic Senate Office in room 108 of Bovee University Center.  All academic work is expected to be in compliance with this policy.

Classroom Civility

Each CMU student is encouraged to help create an environment during class that promotes learning, dignity, and mutual respect for everyone.  Students who speak at inappropriate times, sleep in class, display inattention, take frequent breaks, interrupt the class by coming to class late, engage in loud or distracting behaviors, use cell phones or pagers in class, use inappropriate language, are verbally abusive, display defiance or disrespect to others, or behave aggressively toward others could be asked to leave the class and subjected to disciplinary action under the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Disciplinary Procedures.

Week

Week of:

Topic

1

January 7

Introduction

2

January 14

Growth

3

January 23

Prey size and optimal foraging

4

January 28

Trophic cascade

Critique due

5

February 4

Bioenergetics

6

February 11

Biogeography

7

February 18

Life history strategies

8

February 25

Reproduction

Critique due

9

March 10

Fish/terrestrial linkages

10

March 17

Rivers

11

March 24

Stream fish movement

12

March 31

Stability and persistence

Critique due

13

April 7

Great Lakes history

14

April 14

Introduced species

15

April 21

Global warming

16

April 28

Finals week

Research presentation

Critique due