Aquarium Biology

[ Example Syllabus (.PDF) | General Expectations ]

Description

Fundamentals of aquarium science for the hobbyist or professional. Topics include basic lab techniques, chemistry of seawater, cell function and biological filtration, aquarium design, engineering, theory and practice, and care and culture of marine life. Laboratory work includes water quality monitoring, care and maintenance of cold-water and tropical systems and organisms, and an aquarium systems project. Lab included. Lab fee required. Satisfies laboratory science GUR.

Aquarium Biology is an excellent elective course for:

• Non-science majors interested in developing a life-long hobby;
• Education majors desiring a classroom resource for science teaching;
• Marine Biology majors who wish to develop applied skills in marine science or work with aquarium animals for their senior project;
• An introduction to the science curriculum for students exploring new areas of knowledge or uncertain of their interest in science.

Systems projects: have included new system set-up, conversion of systems from Berlin to natural-style, installation and fine-tuning of various new equipment including protein skimmers, video systems for animal observation, and state-of-the-art water quality sensing equipment.

Learning Objectives

• introduction to the fundamentals of laboratory science, including record keeping, hypotheses & experimental control, and laboratory technique;
• the operation, construction, maintenance, and theory of marine aquarium keeping;
• the theory and practice of aquarium ecosystems;
• the biology, care and keeping of marine life, with an emphasis on North Pacific organisms;
• marine biology research design, implementation and analyses, in an aquarium laboratory setting;
• the theory and practice of professional aquarium management.

dscheel@alaskapacific.edu

David Scheel, Professor of Marine Biology, Environmental Science Department, Alaska Pacific University *Complete address