Week 1 Introduction: what is algae

Biology 410/510 Freshwater Algae

Instructor: Yangdong Pan

Office: 218 SBII

Phone: (503)725-4981

Email: pany@pdx.edu

Office Hours 1:00-3:00 pm W&F or by arrangement

Lecture: 12:00-1:50 pm, T & Th, SBII 162

Lab: 2:00-5:00 pm, T, SBI 409

TEXTBOOK: Prescot "How to Know Freshwater Algae"

OBJECTIVE:

to learn the diversity and ecology of freshwater algae in the region
to use algae as indicators of water quality in environmental monitoring and assessment
to introduce some basic algae-related research methods
to appreciate the beauty of algae and stop watching TV

APPROACH: Lecture, discussion, slide show, field trip,

laboratory exercise, class projects.

GRADING: Mid-term exam: 40%, Algal diversity exam: 30%, Research paper: 30%

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1 Introduction of algae

Lab: Microscopy Exercise

Week 2 Bacillariophyta I (Introduction of diatoms in

general and Centric diatoms)

Lab: Preparation of diatom slides; Diatom taxonomy

Week 3 Bacillariophyta II (Pennate diatoms I: Araphids

and Monoraphids)

Class project I. Nutrient Enrichment Experiment:

A Bioassay; Diatom taxonomy

Week 4 Bacillariophyta III (Pennate diatoms II: Biraphids)

Lab: Diatom taxonomy

Week 5 Diatom Ecology / MID-TERM EXAM

Weekend field trip sampling streams, lakes, and wetlands;

Class project II. Using algae to monitor and assess point-source pollution in streams

Week 6 Cyanophyta and harmful algal blooms (HAB)

Lab: Work on samples collecting from the weekend field

trip.

Week 7 Chlorophyta

Lab: Process algal samples from the nutrient-enrichment

experiment; Quantify algal biomass (chl a assay or

ash-free dry mass assay)

Week 8 Other algal groups / DIVERSITY EXAM

Lab: Analysis of algal population and community

structure

Week 9 Research methods (Experimental design, data

analysis, etc.)

Lab: Identify and enumerate algae from class projects

Week 10 Using algae to assess water quality (Rapid

assessment using periphyton, biological

indicators/indices)

Lab: Data analysis and discussion

Final week: Research paper dues