Learning outcome

After completing the course, the students should have the following qualifications regarding knowledge, skills, and general competence:

* general competance in freshwater ecology as a basis for management and use of our fresh water resources
* knowledge of important physical, chemical and biological processes in surface water
* knowledge of important environmental problems related to freshwater
* knowledge of how to interpret limnological data and determine ecological status
* knowledge of standard methods for water sampling and water analysis
* Be able to take water samples in lakes and rivers
* Could determine important species of macrovegetation, phytoplankton, zooplankton and bottom fauna that live in fresh water
* Could write a limnological field report

Course Description

Freshwater ecology is a multidiciplinary course including the following central topics: aquatic ecosystems in Nordic countries, origin and morphology of lakes and rivers, activities in the catchment area, water and sediment chemistry, interpretation of limnological data, microorganisms and metabolic processes, freshwater plants and animals, pollution sources and health consequences, acidification and liming, heavy metals and organic pollution, eutrofication, restoration, climate change impacts, ecological status related to the EU Water Framework Directive.

Assessment Methods

Grades A - F will be given for three examinations: Group report from field course counts 20%; the group report interpretating limnological data 20% and 5-hour, individual, written final examination which counts 60%. All parts recuire a pass grade to get a final grade in the course.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean