Internship: Aquarium Course Syllabus Spring 2009

Internship: Aquarium
Course Syllabus
Spring 2009
Instructor: Dave Berkley, Senior Aquarist
A. Description
The Aquarium at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is offering an unpaid internship
experience for qualified students pursuing a marine science (or other biology
related) bachelors or masters degrees. The purpose of this internship is for the
student to gain experience and an in-depth knowledge of employment in a public
aquarium. Upon completion of this program, the student will have obtained a
determined number of credit hours towards his/her degree and the skills
necessary to begin a career in aquatic husbandry. This course is designed for
motivated individuals without any previous experience as an intern or
zoo/aquarium employee.
B. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden’s Mission
The Aquarium at Riverbanks Zoo is located in the main plaza in the “Aquarium
Reptile Complex,” commonly referred to as the ARC. The Aquarium is comprised
of five distinct ecosystems showcasing over 125 species of vertebrates and 200
species of invertebrates, in over 80,000 gallons of water. It is the mission of
Riverbanks to foster an appreciation for nature. This is achieved by: providing the
highest standards of care for our living collections, conserving biodiversity
through careful utilization of all available resources, empowering our visitors and
employees to make a difference for conservation, educating people to inspire a
better understanding of nature and the practical relationship between people and
the natural world, recruiting high quality professional staff and acknowledging
their excellence, serving our community by providing an enjoyable recreational
experience, conducting scientific research that benefits both captive and wild
populations, and serving people and nature simultaneously; not one at the
expense of the other.

C. Qualifications
In order to be eligible, the prospective student must meet these guidelines:
• Be currently attending college at the undergraduate or master’s
level for a biology related field of study.
• Complete application form, background check, and accept liability
waivers.
• Provide two references: one of these must be from a college
professor/advisor overseeing the intern’s weekly duties.
• Provide three letters of recommendation.
• Complete a minimum of 160 hours. To meet this requirement, the
student must work 8-20 hours per week (8-20 weeks, depending on
the weekly schedule). Most students work 16 hours per week for
10 weeks.
• Complete a project to be determined by the Senior Aquarist.
• Pass a final written and oral exam to be given by the Senior
Aquarist and Aquarium Supervisor.
D. Overview of Course
The categories of study during the internship include:
1. Assisting with daily maintenance of animal enclosures and exhibits.
2. Learning about animal nutrition and preparing diets.
3. Learning about animal behaviors in both captive and natural
environments.
4. Observing operant conditioning techniques of captive animals.
5. Designing and implementing environmental enrichment
techniques.
6. Being exposed to captive breeding programs (i.e. SSP’s, TAG’s,
studbooks, Fauna Interest Groups, etc.).
7. Assisting Animal Keepers/Aquarists and Veterinarians during
medical procedures.
While there are a minimum number of requirements that must be met (see
addendum 1), there are many things the intern can choose to do on his or
her own that will also count towards the final goal and hour requirements.
The prospective candidate will work closely with the senior aquarist, but at
times be designated to other areas and aquarist staff members.
E. Recommended Literature (all available in house)
Hemdal, Jay. Advanced Marine Aquarium Techniques. TFH Publications.
2006.
Noga, Edward. Fish Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment. Wiley-Blackwell. 2000.
Moyle, Peter B. and Cech, Joseph J. Fishes: An Introduction to Ichthyology.
Benjamin Cummings. 2003.
Delbeek and Sprung. The Reef Aquarium. SOS Free Stock. 1997.
Escobal, Pedro Ramon. Aquatic Systems Engineering: Devices and How They
Function. Dimension Engineering Press. 2000.

F. Grading Plan
The number of hours accrued during this internship will be decided upon by the
Senior Aquarist and designated academic advisor. Typically, 3 or 4 credit hours
can be earned by the end of the assigned coursework and lectures.
Coursework will be weighted as follows:
1. Active participation 40 %
2. Final written exam 25 %
3. Final oral exam 25 %
4. Project + 10 %
= 100 %
Grading Scheme: One of the following letter grades will denote the intern’s
academic achievement.
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 60-69%
F ≤ 59%
G. Attendance
Absences for which a medical or court excuse is provided (professional
letterhead required) will be recorded, but not calculated into the active
participation grade. For every unexcused absence, 1% will be deducted from the
active participation grade. More than four (4) unexcused absences will result in
an "F" for the course. This is an occupational course; attendance is crucial, just
as it is in the real world (for which this course is in part designed to prepare you).
H. Lunch and Breaks
Interns shall schedule lunch breaks with their supervisors/co-workers. Interns
are allowed reasonable fifteen-minute breaks, which will be set by supervisors.
Breaks are considered a privilege and the time allowed cannot be accumulated.
Breaks must be taken on grounds. Break times may vary depending on such
factors as the volume of work, the level of staffing, or other conditions that may
affect the Zoo’s ability to give breaks.
I. Appearance Policy
All interns must wear Riverbanks Zoo & Garden uniform shirts, khaki pants or
shorts, a nametag, and appropriate closed toe footwear. No visible tattoos,
visible piercings, or jewelry are allowed.
J. Expected Behavior
All interns must treat Riverbanks Zoo & Garden employees, supervisors,
volunteers, and guests with appropriate courtesy and respect, and engage in no
inappropriate use of Riverbanks property or equipment. The use or influence of
drugs and/or alcohol while on duty is strictly prohibited. Interns are expected to
follow departmental policies and guidelines. Punctuality, dependability,

willingness to follow directions, and a positive and productive manner are also
expected.
K. Expected Work Ethics
The workload and assigned tasks of a Keeper/ Aquarist Intern may be
strenuous and unpleasant at times. Interns are expected to work in difficult
weather conditions, including extreme heat, rain and cold. See the Animal
Keeper/Aquarist job description for additional expectations. Note that in this line
of work, there may be unavoidable emotional responses caused by one’s
personal interest in animal illness, aggression, death/euthanasia, etc.
Interns must understand they are NOT allowed to perform the following duties:
• Shifting animals independently
• Capturing and restraining animals
• Driving Zoo vehicles
• Holding/keeping Zoo keys
• Observing animals or performing other work on rooftops
• Assisting in animal escapes beyond what is expected of all
staff/volunteers as is outlined in the Dangerous Animal Escape
Protocol
L. Tentative Schedule
Each week’s outline provides a general “focus of learning.” Below outlines a
tentative schedule of concepts and skills to be explored in-depth during the
internship.
Week 1: Public Aquarium Practices
• Tour: familiarization with zoo, building, different exhibits, and back up
areas.
• Understanding the institution’s messages and means of communication to
local, state, federal, and international third parties.
• Day to day operations. What a “typical day” includes and what can be
expected of aquarium employees.
• Husbandry and its practices: including collection plans, exhibit design, and
daily maintenance.
Week 2: Water Chemistry
• Understanding the principles of fresh and salt water and the roles they
play on various species of aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates.
• Understanding salinity, pH, calcium, alkalinity, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia,
phosphate and the roles they play in an aquarium.
• Practicing fundamental laboratory techniques while complying with all
safety and HAZMAT requirements.
• Troubleshooting water quality issues. Learning how to recognize the early
signs of poor water quality and how to rectify problems with water
changes.

Week 3: Life Support
• Importance of proper life support and its function in a public aquarium vs.
a home aquarium.
• Fundamental system design and key filtration components. Learn to
identify the three main types of filtration: mechanical, biological, and
chemical.
• Understanding secondary and tertiary components: Protein skimmers,
fluidized bed filters, and ozone.
• System design and how to properly set up and maintain life support.
Backwashing and filter changes.
---Must have project determined by the end of Week 3 to be completed by
last day---
Week 4: Collection Identification
• Vertebrate identification and taxonomic review of South Carolina, Tropical,
Sea of Cortez, and Sandy Shores galleries.
• Vertebrate identification and taxonomic review of Atlantic and Indo Pacific
galleries.
• Invertebrate identification and taxonomic review of Sea of Cortez and
Sandy Shores galleries.
• Invertebrate identification and taxonomic review of major groups of corals
in Indo Pacific galleries.
Week 5: Exhibit Husbandry
• The importance of exhibit cleanliness. Routine cleanings inside and
outside exhibits.
• Record keeping with the use of daily reports and ‘tank sheets.’
• Understanding the various types of lighting used and why.
• Familiarization with different tools used in and out of the water.
Week 6: Fish and Invertebrate Husbandry
• Understand general dietary requirements of captive fish and invertebrates;
the importance of food preparation and feeding.
• Specialized feeding: target feeding, stick feeding, broadcast.
• Importance and usage of following the guidelines of the diet notebook.
• Understanding the role and importance of cultures: microalgae, rotifer and
Artemia.
Week 7: Fish and Invertebrate Husbandry Continued
• Understanding the role and purpose of trace elements and additives
including: Lugol’s, kalkwasser, and C-Balance.
• Current research on going at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden and at other
institutions.

• Databases and networking: learning how to utilize different available
resources.
• Bringing it all together: exhibitry, water quality, collection plan,
maintenance, networking.
---Should be half way through project---
Week 8: Fish Disease
• Diagnosis of common parasites and recommended treatments.
• Treating fish and special concerns with medications.
• Necropsies: how to and observing clinical practices.
Week 9: Veterinary Practices and Bio-security
• What is Bio-security? An overview of importance and practices. The
importance of disinfection: bleach, soap, commercially available products.
• Understanding quarantine and the different methods used to approach
different species.
• Case studies: past veterinary challenges seen at the Aquarium at
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.
• Case studies continued.
Week 10: Catch up
• Time allotted to finish semester project.
• Help plan and attend a specimen collecting trip.
• Questions and answers.
• Review for final written and oral exam.