Course Objectives

The students will be able to understand how freshwater ecosystems in Nordic countries function including knowledge of physical, chemical, and biological components in rivers and lakes. The many threats facing the quality of freshwater bodies will be considered and the students will be able to utilize this knowledge in water quality assessment and management related to the EU Water Framework Directive.

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, ecological status related to the EU Water Framework Directive.

Learning Methods

Lectures, seminars, laboratory exercises, field work, instruction 4 hours/week, 15 weeks. Mandatory parts: field work (6 days) and a report on interpretation of limnological data.
Teaching medium is English.

Assessment Methods

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