SPRING 2005 Field Trip to Mexico
Class Web Site http://ag.arizona.edu/azaqua/algae.html
Lecture notes and student presentations
Course description: The course covers aspects of the biology and ecology of freshwater, marine and soil algae. We will also examine their cultivation for human and animal consumption, and as a renewable natural resource (biofuels and biochemicals). The course will include short field trips to local aquatic environments during the class period and a weekend trip to a marine site in Mexico.
Course objectives: The goals of this course are: i) to provide an overview of the biology of algae, ii) use the study of algae to provide a basis for understanding the evolutionary pathways to higher plants, iii) much of the biochemistry, reproductive biology, ecology and culture of plants can be best understood by studying the simpler systems in algae, iv) understand the role of algae in freshwater, marine and soil environments as primary producers, suppliers of nutrition and cover to animals and as resources for humans, v.) develop the knowledge and skills to identify and cultivate various algae species. The lab activities will focus on developing techniques specific to the identification and culture of algae as well as developing generalized lab skills including use of hemocytometers, various microscopes, spectrophotometers, and good lab practices.
Instructors: Dr. Kevin Fitzsimmons
ph. 621-7687 and
Dr. Edward Glenn ph. 626-2664 Teaching Assistant - To be named
Instructors e-mail: kevfitz@ag.arizona.edu and eglenn@ag.arizona.edu
Textbook: None required (Highly recommended text "A Biology of Algae" by Phillip SZE is currently out of print, but available at Amazon and other on-line resellers)
Exams: will be comprehensive and questions will come from lectures, textbooks, labs, student presentations, handouts and field trips. (Hint: topics which arise in two or more of these areas are the most likely to show up on exams.) Mid-terms will be reviewed in the class period following the exam. Short field trips may be conducted during the class period and attendance is required.
Grading: 2 mid-terms (higher score counts for 20%, lower score 15%) final 20% papers 20% labs 15% presentation & participation 10%
575 Research Project: Design, conduct and report a field or lab experiment developed with the instructors.
Research Papers: Pick subject from Algae Journal, use citations, and run keyword search in Google Scholar or Web of Science, read pertinent literature on topic, prepare review paper
475 - two papers, one presented to the class
575 - two papers, both presented to the class
575 - one of above papers will be experimental project write-up
We expect the term paper to be a review of a topic of interest within the fields of freshwater, marine or soil algae. The paper should be prepared on a word processor with a double-spaced hard copy of the report submitted on the scheduled dates. The sources of information should include at least three journal articles. Part of the exercise is to become familiar with the peer-reviewed literature. Books and web-sites can be used for background and graphics, but the bulk of material should come from the professional journals.
The format should include a short Abstract which will introduce the topic and provide a synopsis of the rest of the paper. The Introduction of the paper should discuss the topic in more detail and present some background information. The important literature should be brought up at this point, both text and journal articles would be appropriate. The Discussion section should be your interpretation of how all this information fits together. You should provide a synthesis of information you have found from various sources. It is expected that not all of the references will deal with your exact subject. The point is that you are examining the literature to extract bits and pieces from various sources and studies to better understand and update one specific topic. By looking at the basic published information and incorporating ancillary information from the most current literature you should be able to prepare a report which is completely up to date.
The goal is to cover the topic with a well written paper, rather than a certain number of words or pages. But since several people will ask this anyway, we would expect the paper will take eight to ten pages of double spaced text with at least three referenced articles. Graphics are fine to include, either original or copies from literature. In fact tables or graphs generated from various studies are an excellent tool for a review paper.
Phycologist report: Phycology has been dominated by a relatively small number of important biologists. Each student will prepare a short oral biography of a well known phycologist. Several biographies are available in books and newsletters in the classroom. Each student will present a short report to the class on a phycologist they chose.
Class participation: Much of the learning from this course comes from discussions during labs, field trips and during student presentations. Students who do not take part in these activities will be at a disadvantage to students who do take part in discussions and activities. The 10% of the grade devoted to participation and presentation will be graded on the oral presentation and participation during labs.
Late and missed assignments: Scores on assignments turned in late will be reduced 10% per day. Lectures, labs, field trips and student presentations are integral to the course structure and exam questions will come from all these aspects. In case of missed lectures, labs, or field trips, handouts will be provided but student is responsible for getting class notes. For extenuating circumstances, call and leave message at 621-7196.
Course grades: Course grades will be determined on a 90 - 100 = A 80 - 89 = B 70 - 79 = C 60 - 69 = D basis.
Class Schedule - Spring 2012
Lectures (Lec) generally will be held from 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Laboratory exercises (Lab) will usually be held from 10:00-11:30 a.m.
| Date | Lecture | Lab (* Reports due) | Readings - Chapters from SZE, handouts & reprints |
| Jan 10 | Introductions - Classifications | Microscopes | Handouts |
| Jan 15 | Blue-greens Cyanobacteria | Calibrating microscopes | Handouts |
| Jan 17 | Cyanobacteria and Evolution | Counting cells (*) | handouts |
| Jan 22 | Cyanobacteria and Evolution | Stains (*) | |
| Jan 24 | Green algae- Chlorophyta | Identification and keys | Reprint |
| Jan 29 | Green algae | Identification and keys(*) | Keys |
| Jan 31 | Green algae | Reprints | |
| Feb 5 | Euglenoids, Cryptomonads and Haptophytes | Isolations and culture | Handouts and keys |
| Feb 7 | Diatoms - Bacillariophyceae | Isolations and culture(*) | |
| Feb 12 | Ochrophytes | Productivity and DO | Handout |
| Feb 14 | Brown algae - Phaeophyceae | Productivity and BOD(*) | PowerPoint on line |
| Feb 19 | Brown algae - Phaeophyceae | First paper due (Student presentations Grads) | Power Point online |
| Feb 21 | Brown algae - Phaeophyta | Student presentations A-M | Handout |
| Feb 26 | Brown algae - Phaeophyta | Student presentations N-Z - Review for exam | Reprints |
| Feb 28 | Mid-term | Handout | |
| Mar 5 | Dinoflagellates | Handout and slides | |
| Mar 7 | Dinoflagellates | Reprint | |
| Mar 12 - 14 | Mar 9 - 17 Spring break | Fun | Fun |
| Mar 19 | Red algae - Rhodophyta | Agars and gels (*) | Searles paper |
| Mar 21 | Red algae - Rhodophyta | Pigments (*), | Reprint |
| Mar 26 | Red algae - Rhodophyta | ||
| Mar 28 | Red algae - Rhodophyta | Chromotography (*) | Handouts |
| Apr 2 | Red algae - Rhodophyta | Spectrophotometry | Reprints |
| Apr 4 | Benthic ecology, Algae of Mexico | Reprints | |
| Apr 9 | Second exam | ||
| Apr 11 | Phytoplankton | Spectrophotometry (*) | Handouts |
| Apr 16 | Phytoplankton | Reprint | |
| Apr 18 | Limnology | Finish papers | Handout |
| Apr 23 | Second paper due | Student presentations Grad students | Outlines |
| April 25 | Student presentations | Student presentations N-Z | Outlines |
| April 30 | Review for final | Student presentations A-M | Outlines |
| To be determined | Final Exam | TBD |
Academic Integrity: "Students are encouraged to share intellectual views and discuss freely the principals and applications of the cource materials. However, graded laboratory and homework exercises must be executed independantly, except as noted by the instructor. This course operates under the UA academic code as described in the University of Arizona General Catalog (http://catalog.arizona.edu/_private/acacode.htm)."
Course Withdrawl: "Students withdrawing from this course must notify
the instructor prior to nonattendence in classes and execute drop
or withdrawl procedures in accordance with
the UA General Catalog (http://catalog.arizona.edu/policies/984/grade.htm).
Any student failing to attend class in two or more successive classes is
subject to automatic withdrawl if arrangements have not been made between
student and instructor."
Last update: June 10, 2012 
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