2013-2014 Graduate Catalog Downloadable PDF (10.71MB)

Course Descriptions/Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences 595609. Wildlife Research Methods. (3-0). Credit 3. Research methods for ecology and conservation; becomefamiliar with the philosophy of natural science and develop skill in study design, grantsmanship,presentation techniques, critical evaluation of others’ work, and publication in refereed journals. Prerequisites:Courses in general ecology and statistics and graduate classification or approval of instructor.610. Evolutionary Ecology. (3-0). Credit 3. Survey the development of paradigms in evolutionary ecology;incorporates phylogenies into comparative analysis and macroecology; evaluates the roles of historicaland local processes in determining species diversity. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.611. Estuarine Ecology. (3-3). Credit 4. Principles governing the relationships of estuarine organismsto their environment; productivity, adaptations to environment, community structure and factors affectingthe distribution and abundance of biota. Prerequisite: Invertebrate zoology and ichthyology orapproval of instructor.613. Animal Ecology. (2-3). Credit 3. Concepts of animal ecology which emerge at various levels or organization;the ecosystem, the community, the population and the individual; laboratories emphasis onthe quantitative analysis of field data and the simulation of population dynamics. Prerequisite: Graduateclassification or approval of instructor.*616. Physiological Ecology of Vertebrates. (3-4). Credit 4. Effects of temperature, oxygen and otherenvironmental factors on the distribution and abundance of animals; comparative behavioral and physiologicaladjustments to environment as an evolutionary response; develop and execute a research projectin an appropriate subject area. Prerequisite: BIOL 388 or WFSC 417 or approval of instructor.617. Biology of Fishes. (3-3). Credit 4. Fishes’ physiological and morphological adaptations for life inaquatic systems; physiological and behavioral responses of fish to environments; molecular, cellular,and physiological mechanisms discussed in an evolutionary context that emphasizes the ontogeny ofadaptive responses among vertebrates from basic biochemical and biophysical constraints. Prerequisite:Graduate classification or approval of instructor.618. Wildlife Study Design and Analysis. (3-0). Credit 3. Fundamental and advanced aspects of studydesign applicable to terrestrial animals; analysis and review of the scientific literature related to studydesign; and the development of study design for written and oral presentations. Prerequisite: Graduateclassification or approval of instructor.619. Wildlife Restoration. (2-3). Credit 3. Study of the fundamentals of the restoration of animal populationsand the resources they require; factors that control the distribution and abundances of animalsin relation to restoration; and how restoration plans for wildlife are developed. Prerequisite: Graduateclassification or approval of instructor.620. Vertebrate Ethology. (3-2). Credit 4. Mechanisms and control of vertebrate behavior in an ecologicalcontext, as shaped by natural selection; classical and current theories regarding the genetic basis, development,specialized sensory systems and organization of responses in changing environment; laboratoryemphasizes observational skills and quantitative analysis of behavior occurring in natural settings.*622. Behavioral Ecology. (3-0). Credit 3. Integration of animal behavior with ecological and evolutionaryprinciples; includes mating, predation, foraging ecology, social behavior, game theory and behavioralgenetics; emphasis on quantification of behavior and strategy modeling. Prerequisites: Undergraduateecology course; graduate classification.623. Aquaculture. (3-3). Credit 4. Principle of fish production for stock enhancement and human food.Species of fish used for production, cross-breeding and selection; feeds and feeding of fish and nutritionaland environmental requirements for optimum productivity; effects of fish production on landand water uses as related to conservation. Prerequisite: Graduate classification or approval of instructor.624. Dynamics of Populations. (3-2). Credit 4. Principles, models and methods for analysis of populationdynamics; analysis of contemporary research emphasizing theory and its uses in evaluation and managementof animal populations. Laboratory emphasizes mathematical, statistical and computer modeling ofpopulation phenomena.628. Wetland Ecology. (3-0). Credit 3. Wetlands as ecological systems that are prime habitats for wildlifeand fish; geomorphology, hydrology, limnology, plant and animal communities, and human use andmanagement. Prerequisite: WFSC 403 or RLEM 316 or equivalent.*630. Ecology and Society. (3-0). Credit 3. Study and compare human and natural ecosystems using diversity,interrelations, cycles, and energy as the conceptional organization; central themes of the course aresustainability, stewardship and science. Prerequisite: Graduate classification or approval of instructor.