WETLANDS SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT
WETLANDS ECOLOGY
ES 5273 , Sec. 050, 3 credit hours
ZOO 5970, Sec. 051, 3 credit hours

Wetlands Science and Management/Wetlands Ecology syllabus - PDF

This syllabus is tentative and subject to change

Description: This graduate course provides a comprehensive field-based examination of wetland science and management. Major wetland types and resources are examined and the biogeochemical and ecological diversity of wetland waters, soils, vegetation and fauna is investigated.  Biological, physical, chemical, and hydrological aspects of wetland ecosystem structure and function are explored through visits to several field sites.  Current issues in wetland valuation, classification, management and identification are considered as well as the assessment of created, restored and treatment wetlands.

Objectives:    

• To introduce inland and coastal wetlands from an ecosystem perspective
• To develop an understanding of the physical, chemical and biological aspects of wetlands
• To examine the linkages between wetland ecosystem function and wetland management
• To accomplish the above in an enjoyable and exciting field setting!
  

Textbooks: Mitsch, W. J. and J. G. Gosselink. (2007). Wetlands (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York.   ISBN: 978-0-471-69967-5.

Course Format: We will spend approximately 30% of our time in lecture/discussion and 70% of our time in field and laboratory analyses over the two-week period. Students will work in pairs or small groups in field/lab settings but all submitted work will be for individual credit.  Several field trips outside of the Biological Station will be involved.  Be prepared for field work in hot summer weather - a good hat, good shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a water bottle are musts!  Hip boots or waders are optional, but if you don’t have any, plan on getting wet.  Due to the field-intensive nature of the class, there will most likely be times when we will need to leave UOBS very early in the morning, and return late in the evenings.  When this occurs, appropriate adjustments will be made to the remaining schedule.  At least one (very) full-day field trip to several field sites in southeastern Oklahoma will be scheduled.

Available at the Biological Station:

• Sunscreen: $3.77-$6.37 plus tax
• Insect repellant: $3.30-$4.46 plus tax

Attendance/Participation: Attendance at all class sessions and participation in discussions is expected of all students (and it is part of your grade!) Class sessions will begin on time!  Please be aware that course meeting times may vary (see above).

Team Exercises and Discussions: Students will work in pairs or small teams on several in-class exercises and discussions.  Students will be required to provide brief oral summaries of these exercises.

Laboratories: The bulk of the course focuses on completion of eight laboratories.  Individual labs may include field work, wet lab analyses, calculations, data interpretation and analysis and/or supplemental reading and interpretation.  All students must submit individual laboratory write-ups on time. 

Final Exam: A comprehensive final exam will be conducted on the last day of the session.

Timely Submission: Please note that, due to the compressed nature of this course, it is imperative that all students complete reading assignments, laboratories and home works in a timely manner.  No late submissions will be accepted.

Grading Policy:

Participation/discussion                          5%
Laboratories (8 for 10% each)              80%
Exam                                                     15%
                                                            100%

Reasonable Accommodation: The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course are requested to contact the professor, Robert Nairn, as well as Janat Issac, UOBS, (405)-325-7431, well in advance to the start of class. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course. The Disability Resource Center is located in Goddard Health Center, Suite 166, or by calling (405) 325-3852 or TDD only (405) 325-4173.

Robert Nairn
The University of Oklahoma
School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science
202 W. Boyd Street
Norman, OK 73019
Phone: (405) 325-3354
Bio Page: www.coe.ou.edu/ebel/
E-mail:

LAKE TEXOMA OFFICE

MAILING ADDRESS:

HC 71, Box 205
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Phone: (405) 325-7431 OR
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Fax: (580) 564-2479

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Phone: (405) 325-5391
Fax: (405) 325-0835