Time Schedule:
Robert Joseph Turner
BES 397
Bothell Campus
Unique course offerings designed to respond to faculty and student interests. Possible topics may include economic and environmental issues, air pollution, water quality, ecological restoration, global warming, or conservation biology.
Class description
The subtitle of this offering of BES 397 is Estuaries in Trouble. As suggested by that title, we will be learning about the unique characteristics and problems of estuaries. We will start with an overview of models on the evolution, circulation, and ecology of estuaries. Then we'll concern ourselves with the water quality and ecological problems of estuaries, with an emphasis on Puget Sound. As we will be meeting for 5 hour blocks once a week, this will give us ample time to visit many environments in the Puget Sound lowlands and do some fieldwork. Students will work on a variety of projects throughout the summer meant to better characterize problems in Puget Sound and/or foster public understanding of Puget Sound's issues. As part of this objective, we will work with the SEA - Service Education Adventure. We will all get some training on the Marine Vessel Indigo, then small groups will get the chance to serve as educators on the boat later in the quarter. http://www.serviceeducationadventure.org/equipment.php
Student learning goals
stay tuned
General method of instruction
Some lecture, readings from a variety of sources, abundant class discussion, and lots of field trips!
Recommended preparation
No prerequisites, though an interest in natural science will help.
Class assignments and grading
A few homework/lab assignments, many reading assignments, one exam, a term project with a few subassignments and one final deliverable and presentation.
Roughly... 20% homework/lab assignments 10% exam 20% participation 50% term project assignments
