Coursemaster: Andrew Kane, Ph.D. Office hours: Tuesday 8-10AM and by appointment [Class Handouts] [Journal Article Reviews] [Student Presentations] Overview: This team-taught course will provide an overview of aquatic resources including oceans, estuaries, rivers, lakes, streams and ponds, with focus on respective biotic communities and environmental health. We will address the physical and chemical nature of water, and the hydrologic cycle in order to understand water and land usage, and effects of various types of contamination in different ecosystems. The course will provide a taxonomic and ecological summary of aquatic biota, from algae and invertebrates to vertebrates and pathogens. A case study approach will be used to provide resources pertaining to contaminant input, other anthropogenic activities, harmful algae, and changes in the environment such as climate change. Biotic indices of environmental change, including application of bioindicators, will be discussed and evaluated relative to both environmental and human health. Students are expected to be on time, and attend and participate in all classes. Each student is required to lead a critical discussion of a journal article at least once during the semester. Each student is also required to give an oral presentation on an assigned/approved topic. The approved topic will focus on some aspect of aquatic environmental health. A PowerPoint “notes” presentation on the same topic will also be developed and submitted by the student as the written component of this assignment. Learning objectives: Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
Course materials: Course requirements and grading: Topical Outline:
FINAL EXAM will take place during finals week: April 25th, in the classroom - regular class meeting time. Physical and chemical aspects of water:
Reading Assignment for 1/24/11: Florida Waters (ED Purnam 2002), pages 49-62. Who's who in the water: Taxonomy and Ecology of Aquatic Insects (Dr. Jim Cuda)
Water-borne Insect Vectors of Disease (Dr. Bernard Okech) Fish Diversity, Adaptations and Physiology (Dr. Andy Kane) Aquatic Stressors and Pathology (Dr. Andy Kane) Scientific Communications (Dr. Andy Kane) Introduction to Environmental Toxicology (Dr. Andy Kane) Toxicology of Metals (Dr. David Barber) Toxicology of Pesticides (Dr. David Barber) Biomarkers (Dr. David Barber) Aquatic Birds (Dr. Marilyn Spalding) Aquatic Mammals (Alex Costidis) Ecology in Impacted Florida Ecosystems (Dr. Don Behringer) Student Presentations / Contributions: Sewage Effluents and Runoff in Haiti: Ecosystem Hazards in Port-au-Prince Bay (Marie Pascale St Martin Francois) Biological Treatment: Applications in Wastewater, Drinking Water and Groundwater Remedation (Stephanie Ishii) Mycobacterial Disease in Striped Bass (Soojin Jeon) Enteric Viruses in Recreational Waters (Marianne Fatica)
The journal articles, to be linked below, will be assigned for all in the class to read. All should read and be prepared to participate in discussion. Students will be assigned to present each of the respective articles and will lead the discussion on their articles. Presentations should include background relating to the published article, including a problem statement(s), the expertise of the author(s), the research approach and the methods used, research findings (data summary) and conclusions drawn by the author(s). Presentations should also provide comments relevant to the merits or any questions regarding the research (reference to additional/outside reference materials may be required). Use of PowerPoint to provide visuals from the article or from other references is encouraged, as needed. The formal portion of the presentation should last approximately 20 minutes. After the presentation, the presenter will entertain questions and discussion from the class.
Students will choose topics germane to water biology and public health to present to the class. The content development of these presentations is in important part of the course, and complement lectures and discussions lead by Dr. Kane and guest lecturers with expertise in a variety of related disciplines. This assignment also provides an important opportunity to develop well-organized scientific presentations. Please refer to the handout on Scientific Communications for a review of our class discussion on developing PowerPoint-aided presentations. Gameplan: Presentations are expected to take 25-30 minutes, with no more than 20 minutes for the formal presentation and 5-10 minutes for class questions and discussion. Please take advantage of the full time slot without going over the time limit. Students are expected to provide an emailed draft of their presentation a minimum of two weeks prior to their presentation date for review and comments. Students will make appointments to go over the draft materials in person with Dr. Kane. Additional time slots may be required and/or requested, so please provide the draft material as soon as possible. Remember that a notable percentage of the course grade is based on these presentations (both the class presentation as well as the PowerPoint "notes" version). Statement of University’s Honesty Policy (cheating and use of copyrighted materials): Policy related to class attendance, make-up exams and other work: Statement Related to Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Counseling and Student Health The Student Health Care Center at Shands is a satellite clinic of the main Student Health Care Center located on Fletcher Drive on campus. Student Health at Shands offers a variety of clinical services, including primary care, women's health care, immunizations, mental health care, and pharmacy services. The clinic is located on the second floor of the Dental Tower in the Health Science Center. For more information, contact the clinic at 392-0627 or check out the web site at: www.health.ufl.edu/shcc Crisis intervention is always available 24/7 from: BUT – Do not wait until you reach a crisis to speak with a councelor. Councelors have helped many students through stressful situations impacting their academic performance. You are not alone so do not be afraid to ask for assistance. [College of Public Health and Health Professions] [Emerging Pathogens Institute] [Aquatic Pathobiology Laboratory]
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