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Course Descriptions

COLLEGE OF OCEAN & FISHERY SCIENCES
AQUATIC & FISHERY SCIENCES
FISHERIES

Detailed course offerings (Time Schedule) are available for

To see the detailed Instructor Class Description, click on the underlined instructor name following the course description.

FISH 101 The Living Aquatic World (5) I&S/NW
Freshwater and marine biodiversity, population, biology, ecosystem structure and function, evolution, conservation genetics, physiology, aquaculture, environmental effects of human activities, role of law, government, and human communities in resource conflicts management. Three case studies. Suitable for non-majors.
Instructor Course Description: Robert C Francis

FISH 210 Methods in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences: Theory and Applications (5) NW
Comprehensive survey of the theory and techniques of field research in aquatic sciences. Topics emphasize sampling design, data collection, and interpretation across a broad suite of topics and approaches. Field trips and laboratory sections are mandatory.
Instructor Course Description: Bruce S Miller Timothy E. Essington

FISH 221 Ecology and Evolution of the Microbe (5) NW
Explores microbial diversity, hands-on methods, microbes as agents of disease, where microbes fit in the ecosystem, extreme environments and microbes, and microbes as the start of life.

FISH 250 Marine Biology (3/5) I&S, NW
Lecture-laboratory course in Marine Biology focusing on physical, biological, and social aspects of the marine environment. Topics include oceanography, ecology, physiology, behavior, conservation, fisheries, exploration, and activism. Weekend field trip. Honors section research project. Offered: jointly with BIOL/OCEAN 250.
Instructor Course Description: M. Claire Horner-Devine

FISH 296 Study Abroad: Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (0) NW
For participants in UW study abroad program. Specific content varies and must be individually evaluated. Credit not does not apply to major requirements without approval.

FISH 297 Special Topics in Fisheries (1-5, max. 5) NW
Selected topics in aquatic science and fisheries.

FISH 310 Biology of Shellfishes (5) NW
Commercially important mollusks, crustaceans, and other harvested invertebrates highlighted with respect to systematics, anatomy, reproductive strategies, feeding, and growth. Examples of species that demonstrate variability in recruitment and complex life cycles. Laboratories, field trips. Recommended: 10 credits biological science.
Instructor Course Description: Carolyn Friedman

FISH 311 Biology of Fishes (3/5) NW
Lecture and laboratory, of the morphological, physiological, behavioral, and ecological diversity of fishes of the world; designed to provide a basic foundation for advanced courses in all areas of finfish fisheries. 3-credit option does not include laboratory. Recommended: 10 credits biological science. Offered: jointly with BIOL 311; W.
Instructor Course Description: Theodore W Pietsch

FISH 312 Fisheries Ecology (3/5) NW
Ecological characteristics of fishes and shellfishes in the important freshwater and marine habitats of North America. Relationship between physical aspects of the habitats and community structure. Impacts of human activities on diversity and abundance. Prerequisite: either BIOL 162 or 220; recommended: FISH 210; FISH 311. Offered: Sp.
Instructor Course Description: Thomas P Quinn

FISH 323 Conservation and Management of Aquatic Resources (5) NW
Topics include population growth rates, extinction risk, dynamics of populations at low densities, meta-populations, marine reserves, endangered species classification, sustainable harvesting and management institutions. Examines case studies such as salmon, albatross and whales as representative of conservation issues in aquatic sciences. Sampling, experimental design, computer skills and research writing.
Instructor Course Description: Ray Hilborn

FISH 324 Aquatic Animal Physiology and Reproduction (3/5) NW
Adaptations of aquatic animals to environmental challenges. Energy pathways from feeding and digestion through maintenance (metabolism, movement, repair), homeostasis (respiration, osmoregulation, thermoregulation), growth and reproduction (sex determination, manipulation, sex change). Roles of sensory, nervous, and endocrine systems in mediating environmental information. Hands-on laboratory. Prerequisite: either BIOL 161 or BIOL 220.
Instructor Course Description: Graham Young

FISH 328 Forestry-Fisheries Interactions (4) NW
Characteristics of forestry-fisheries interactions in terrestrial and aquatic landscapes. Effects of changes in landforms on forest and aquatic communities. River basin and watershed features. Forest stand dynamics, forest hydrology, fish and wildlife histories and behavior. Resource conflicts and resolution. Offered: jointly with ESRM 328; even years; Sp.
Instructor Course Description: Peter Schiess

FISH 330 Climate Change Impacts on Marine Ecosystems (5) NW
Links the physics of climate to marine ecosystem processes, exploring both observed climate impacts from the past and projected ecosystem changes due to human-caused climate change in the future. Case studies include polar, sub-artic, temperate, tropical and upwelling ecosystems, and ocean-acidification and its projected impacts. Required: high school or college physics and algebra with a basic understanding of Newton’s’ Laws and the ability to comprehend and construct vector diagrams. Offered: jointly with ENVIR 330.

FISH 340 Genetics and Molecular Ecology (5) NW
Application of molecular markers to ecology, evolution, and the management of living resources. Emphasis on understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the approach based on case studies. Offered: jointly with BIOL 340. Prerequisite: either BIOL 102, BIOL 162, or BIOL 200.
Instructor Course Description: Lorenz Hauser

FISH 350 Marine Ecology of Coastal Systems (3)
Explores the ecological relationships of marine organisms in coastal systems, including kelp forests and coral reefs, the physical forces that shape these systems, and the impacts of environmental change. Recommended: BIOL 250/FISH 250/OCEAN 250. Offered: jointly with SMA 350.

FISH 351 Field Investigations in Marine Biology (5)
Evaluates the relationships between man and marine systems in a field-oriented class. Case studies directly investigate marine biology. Studies include human activities and our effects on marine species and communities. Multiple field trips, lectures, and labs. Prerequisite: FISH 350/OCEAN 350. Offered: jointly with OCEAN 351; Sp.
Instructor Course Description: Richard G Keil

FISH 404 Diseases of Aquatic Animals (5) NW
Overview of communicable and noncommunicable diseases that affect fish and shellfish. Major pathogens of free-ranging as well as captive animals discussed. Students learn to recognize, prevent, and control economically and ecologically important disease syndromes. Recommended: 10 credits biological science.
Instructor Course Description: Carolyn Friedman

FISH 420 Ecology of Marine Fishes (4) NW
Focuses on the unique ecological challenges facing marine fishes, including individual, population, community, and ecosystem-scale processes. Prerequisite: either FISH 311 or FISH 312.
Instructor Course Description: Timothy E. Essington

FISH 423 Aquatic Invasion Ecology (4) QSR
Explores the patterns, drivers, and consequences of species invasions in freshwater, estuary, and marine ecosystems. Focuses on the science and management needs for preventing, controlling, and eradicating invasive species. Topics illustrated with cases from the Pacific Northwest and the world. Prerequisite: either BIOL 462 or BIOL 180.
Instructor Course Description: Julian D. Olden

FISH 424 Biology and Culture of Aquatic Organisms (5)
Explores the concept of sustainability and the interrelationship between environment, aquatic species, and culture of aquatic animal and plant species globally. Current practices, animal biology and health, near-shore ecosystem conservation, water quality, and strategies to improve the sustainability of aquaculture for food production and species conservation. Lecture and lab.
Instructor Course Description: Carolyn Friedman

FISH 428 Restoration of Fish Communities and Habitats in River Ecosystems (5) NW
Examines opportunities to encourage recovery through natural developmental processes that enhance the complexity of habitats and connectivity between habitats in the river basin. Class discussion and participation on field trips focuses on current restoration concepts for ecosystems, designs of projects, and case studies. Recommended: fish ecology and hydrology courses. Offered: odd years; Sp.
Instructor Course Description: Robert C Wissmar

FISH 437 Fisheries Oceanography (4) NW
Investigates how the environment influences distributions and abundances of marine vertebrate and invertebrate species. Uses studies to understand fish and zooplankton life histories, predict trends in populations, reduce uncertainty in resource management, and to decouple anthropogenic from natural effects on aquatic populations.

FISH 439 Attaining a Sustainable Society (1/3, max. 3) I&S/NW Karr
Discusses diverse environmental issues, the importance of all areas of scholarship to evaluating environmental challenges, and the connections between the past and the future, to reveal integrative approaches to protect the long-term interests of human society. Offered: jointly with ENVIR 439.
Instructor Course Description: James Karr

FISH 444 Conservation Genetics (5) NW
Advanced genetic concepts and methods related to aquatic species' conservation and management. Includes genetic diversity, small populations and fragmentation, genetic viability, management of wild and captive populations (including aquaculture), reintroductions, hatchery-wild interactions and forensics. Labs include molecular techniques. Recommended: GENET 371.
Instructor Course Description: Kerry-Ann Naish

FISH 447 Watershed Ecology and Management (3) NW
Explores fundamental ecological processes at the watershed scale, identifies human-induced changes to ecological systems, and discusses approaches to improve watershed management. Includes lectures, field trips, and discussions with organizations and agencies about how they are addressing ways to improve watershed management. Offered: W.
Instructor Course Description: Robert J Naiman Thomas C. O'Keefe

FISH 450 Salmonid Behavior and Life History (3/5) NW
Marine distribution, homing migration, and spawning behavior of adult salmon: incubation, emergence, migration, and residence of fry; fingerling distribution and residence with reference to species interaction and population evolution. Recommended: FISH 311. Offered: A.
Instructor Course Description: Thomas P Quinn

FISH 453 Spatial Information Technologies in Ecosystem Sciences (3) NW Logsdon
Introduction to the use of GPS, GIS, and Remote Sensing in the ecosystem sciences. Integrates these technologies in an applied research setting. Two overnight weekend field trips required. Offered: jointly with OCEAN 452.

FISH 454 Ecological Modeling (5) NW
Examines concepts in ecological modeling focusing on the rational, interpretation, and motivation for modeling in ecological sciences. Explores individual, population, and ecosystem-based models. Excel-based computer exercises, model building and interpretation, readings. Recommended: prior coursework in ecology and statistics. Offered: jointly with Q SCI 454.

FISH 455 Fish and Wildlife Toxicology (3/5) NW
Overview of fish/wildlife toxicology: history of the field; regulations; methods used to assesses risks contaminants pose to fish/wildlife; classes of contaminants and their direct, sublethal and indirect effects; and contemporary threats of contaminants to fish/wildlife, their habitats and prey. Includes laboratory. Offered: jointly with ESRM 457; W.

FISH 458 Fisheries Stock Assessment (4) NW Francis
Emphasizes quantitative analysis of fisheries data to determine how the fishery would respond to alternative management actions. Major topics include production models, stock and recruitment, catch at age analysis, and formulation of harvest strategies. Recommended: either Q SCI 456 or FISH 456. Offered: jointly with Q SCI 458; Sp.
Instructor Course Description: Andre Punt Ray Hilborn

FISH 473 Limnology (3) NW
Ecology, conservation, and management of inland aquatic ecosystems. Explores interactions among biological, chemical, and physical features of lakes and other aquatic habitats. Prerequisite: either BIOL 102, BIOL 162, BIOL 18 0, or BIOL 203. Offered: jointly with BIOL 473.

FISH 474 Limnology Laboratory (2) NW
Examination of biota of fresh waters, survey of limnological methods, analysis of data, and writing of scientific papers. Prerequisite: BIOL473/FISH 473/CEE 462, which may be taken concurrently. Offered: jointly with BIOL 474/CEE 463; A.

FISH 475 Marine Mammalogy (3/5) NW
Evolution, taxonomy, physiology, life history, and behavior of marine mammals; the techniques of studying and the management and conservation of them. Recommended: 15 credits of biological science, vertebrate anatomy, and physiology, for laboratory sections.
Instructor Course Description: Glenn R. Vanblaricom

FISH 478 Topics in Sustainable Fisheries (3, max. 9) Parrish
Seminar series featuring local, national and internationally known speakers in fisheries management and conservation. Case studies. Conservation/restoration in practice. Pre-seminar discussion section focusing on select readings. Final paper. Topics may include harvest management, whaling, by-catch, salmon, marine protected areas, introduced species, citizen action, co-management, and marine ethics. Offered: jointly with BIOL/ENVIR 478.
Instructor Course Description: Julia Parrish

FISH 480 Marine Resource Conservation and Management (3) I&S/NW Gallucci, Miller
Techniques and philosophy for conservation, management and development of harvested marine populations. Emphasis on integration of ecological, sociological, and economic dimensions of institutional decision making for policy formation in uncertain environments. Offered: jointly with ENVIR 480/SMA 480.

FISH 490 Aquatic Microbiology (3/5) NW
Basic principles of aquatic microbiology and aquatic microbial ecology: role and identity of aquatic microorganisms; introduction to modern methodologies for research. Laboratory work with local freshwater and marine samples for those enrolled in 5-credit section. Offered: jointly with MICROM 490; Sp, odd years. Recommended 15 credits of biological science, 10 credits of chemistry.
Instructor Course Description: Russell P Herwig

FISH 491 Aquatic Ecological Research in Alaska (12) NW
Intensive, full-time research training experience where a team of students works on focused research problems guided by a group of faculty, postdoctoral, and graduate student mentors. Examines behavioral ecology, limnology, and population dynamics. Students also choose specific research questions for their own exploration. Course location: Alaska. Offered: S.
Instructor Course Description: Thomas P Quinn

FISH 492 Friday Harbor Labs Apprenticeship (9/15) NW
Intensive, full-time research training experience where teams of students work on focused research problems guided by a group of faculty, postdoctoral and graduate student mentors. Research questions vary. Course location: Friday Harbor Laboratories.

FISH 493 Capstone Preparation (1)
Includes defining a capstone research question, choosing a faculty advisor, conducting a literature review, preparing a project proposal and budget, and attending/critiquing the quarterly capstone symposium.

FISH 494 Capstone Project I (1-9, max. 9)
Self-directed research or project under direction of a faculty member. Includes defining research question, determining methodology, data collection and analysis, writing a paper, and presenting findings. Required for graduation for majors. May be taken concurrently with FISH 495. Prerequisite: FISH 210; FISH 493; Q SCI 381.

FISH 495 Capstone Project II (3)
Self-directed research project under direction of a faculty member. Typically includes defining a research question, determining methodology, data collection and analysis, writing a paper, and presenting findings. May be taken concurrently with FISH 494 with permission of instructor.

FISH 496 Study Abroad: Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (1-15, max. 30) NW
For participants in UW study abroad program. Specific content varies and must be individually evaluated. Credit not does not apply to major requirements without approval.

FISH 497 Special Topics in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (1-15, max. 15) NW
One-time offerings of topics in fisheries by resident or visiting faculty.
Instructor Course Description: Timothy E. Essington John K Horne Lucy Sue Flynn Miles G. Logsdon Julian D. Olden

FISH 498 Internship/Experiential Learning (1-15, max. 15)
Structured, practical training in the fishing industry, government agencies and other areas utilizing fisheries, food science, or quantitative science expertise. Experiences are supervised and evaluated. Written reports required. Credit/no credit only. Offered: AWSpS.

FISH 499 Undergraduate Research (1-15, max. 15)
Individual research within the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. Each project supervised by an individual faculty member. Written reports required.
Instructor Course Description: Bruce S Miller

FISH 507 Special Topics in Fisheries (1-15, max. 15)
Recommended: permission of instructor.
Instructor Course Description: Julian D. Olden

FISH 510 Current Topics in Genetics and Physiology (1-5, max. 15)
Contemporary problems and issues in genetics and physiology as they relate to fisheries and aquatic sciences.
Instructor Course Description: Steven Roberts

FISH 511 Current Topics in Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior (1-5, max. 15)
Contemporary problems and issues in evolution, ecology and behavior as they relate to fisheries and aquatic sciences.
Instructor Course Description: Joshua J Latterell Robert J Naiman Philip Roni

FISH 512 Current Topics in Quantitative Science (1-5, max. 15)
Contemporary problems and issues in quantitative science as they relate to fisheries and aquatic sciences.
Instructor Course Description: Donald R Gunderson

FISH 513 Current Topics in Management, Conservation, and Restoration (1-5, max. 15)
Contemporary problems and issues in management, conservation, and restoration as they relate to fisheries and aquatic sciences.
Instructor Course Description: Donald R Gunderson Elizabeth Steel

FISH 514 Current Topics Aquaculture, Utilization, and Pathology (1-5, max. 15)
Contemporary problems and issues in aquaculture, utilization, and pathology as they relate to fisheries and aquatic sciences.

FISH 521 Research Proposal Writing for Graduate Students (4)
Practice in reading, writing, critiquing, and evaluating research grant and contract proposals. Lecture and discussion of funding resources, structure of proposals, proposal review, evaluation criteria, and agency feedback. Examples of successful and unsuccessful grant applications. Preparing proposals and critiquing other's efforts.

FISH 522 Hot Topics in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (2)
Discussion of the primary literature of aquatic and fishery sciences. All readings are current, high profile papers which spark a new avenue of investigation, set out a new paradigm, define a central problem, etc. Credit/no credit only. Offered: A.

FISH 526 Ecology of Aquatic Ecosystems (3)
Explores natural and human-driven processes regulating the structure and functioning of freshwater and marine ecosystems. Topics include biogeochemistry, energy, and material flows among habitats, evolution in ecological time, commonality of marine and freshwater habitats, and the issues of scale in understanding ecosystem dynamics. Recommended: upper division ecology, limnology, or oceanography.

FISH 529 Water Center Seminar (1) Steinmann
Weekly seminars covering water resources and watershed topics with lectures from scientists on and off campus. Credit/no credit only. Offered: jointly with CFR 529/PB AF 521; AWSp.
Instructor Course Description: Anne Steinemann Daniel S Ribeiro

FISH 530 Application of Bioenergetics Models to Aquatic Food Webs (4)
Modeling framework quantifying bioenergetics, including consumption, growth, nutrient recycling and contaminant bioaccumulation; links physiology and behavior of individual organisms to ecological processes within populations and aquatic food webs. Common applications include estimating predation, carrying capacity, or growth potential in different habitats. Recommended: regression course.

FISH 535 Aquatic Toxicology (3)
Principles of toxicology applied to aquatic organisms. Recognition of physiological and biochemical responses of organisms to toxins and practical application of toxicity testing methods to identification of pollution and toxins in aquatic environment. Toxicity test design, interpretation, and data analysis. Recommended: organic or biochemistry and physiology or equivalent or permission of instructor.

FISH 537 Fisheries Oceanography (4)
Investigates how the environment influences distributions and abundances of marine vertebrate and invertebrate species. Uses studies to understand fish and zooplankton life histories, predict trends in populations, reduce uncertainty in resource management, and to decouple anthropogenic from natural effects on aquatic populations.

FISH 542 Principles and Applications of Molecular Methods (3)
Applications of molecular techniques to questions in ecology, evolution, and natural resource management, with emphasis on advanced genome-enabled technologies and the analysis and interpretation of genetic data. Includes weekly discussion of empirical papers, and preparation/peer-review of a proposal Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Offered: jointly with OCEAN 574; A.
Instructor Course Description: Lorenz Hauser

FISH 543 Molecular Techniques (4)
Laboratory on DNA methods. Experiments analyzing genetic variation at the intra- and interspecific level, including one experiment of student’s own design. Techniques include DNA extraction and quantitation, PCR, DNA sequencing, RFLP analysis and cloning. Prerequisite: FISH 542 or OCEAN 574 or permission of instructor. Offered: jointly with OCEAN 575.

FISH 547 Stream and River Ecology (5)
Characterizations of stream and river ecosystems from a watershed perspective. Emphasis on fundamental processes affecting the structure and dynamics of aquatic communities and the riparian zone. Resource conflicts, new technologies, field trips, and class projects. Offered: jointly with CFR 547; Sp.
Instructor Course Description: Joshua J Latterell Robert J Naiman

FISH 557 Estimation of Population Parameters (4)
Statistical analysis of population data; design and analysis of mark-recapture experiments on natural populations; laboratory work on computers. Recommended: probability theory and Q SCI 292 and 483.

FISH 558 Advanced Analysis in Fisheries Stock Assessment (3)
Deterministic and stochastic representations of age-dependent and size-dependent models for stock assessment; analysis of multi-species models; risk analysis and uncertainty in fisheries management strategies; analysis of population data on computers. Recommended: 456, 458, 557, or permission of instructor.
Instructor Course Description: Ray Hilborn

FISH 560 Applied Multivariate Statistics for Ecologists (4) GE
Use and interpretation of multivariate analysis, including the majority of approaches in common use by ecologists. Emphasizes the conceptual understanding and practical use of the methods, illustrated with ecological case studies. Prerequisite: Q SCI 482 or equivalent.

FISH 565 Marine Fish Biology (9)
Taxonomy, ecology, and life history of the fishes of the San Juan Islands and northeast Pacific Ocean. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Offered: Friday Harbor Laboratories.

FISH 578 Graduate Topics in Sustainable Fisheries (2, max. 6) Parrish
Seminar series featuring local, national and internationally known speakers in fisheries management and conservation. Case studies. Conservation/restoration in practice. Post-seminar discussion section led by speaker on topics covered in lecture. Topics may include harvest management, whaling, by-catch, salmon, marine protected areas, introduced species, citizen action, co-management, and marine ethics.
Instructor Course Description: Julia Parrish

FISH 581 Fishery Management: Case Studies (3)
Examination of historical case studies chosen to illustrate specific fishery management problem areas. Faculty presentations occupy first half of quarter, student presentations the second half. Prerequisite: FISH 580. Offered: jointly with SMA 581.

FISH 600 Independent Study or Research (*)
Credit/no credit only.

FISH 700 Master's Thesis (*)
Credit/no credit only.

FISH 800 Doctoral Dissertation (*)
Credit/no credit only.