ESCI 315 Limnology
This course covers the biology, chemistry and physics of aquatic habitats with an emphasis on the ecology of lakes in Minnesota. The content and methods of modern limnological research are emphasized. Labs focus on field and lab investigation of water bodies in the metropolitan area. Most of the weekly labs take place outdoors. Intended for biology, environmental science and life sciences teaching majors and other qualified students.
First day attendance is mandatory.
Note: Enrollment limited to Biology, Environmental Science and Life Science Teaching majors only, except by instructor permission. Overlap: BIOL 315 Limnology.
Prerequisites
- BIOL 111: General Biology I and BIOL 112: General Biology II and CHEM 111: General Chemistry I and CHEM 112: General Chemistry II and MATH 115: College Algebra and STAT 201: Statistics I
- or BIOL 111: General Biology I and BIOL 112: General Biology II and CHEM 112: General Chemistry II and CHEM 111: General Chemistry I and MATH 208: Applied Calculus
- or BIOL 112: General Biology II and BIOL 111: General Biology I and CHEM 112: General Chemistry II and CHEM 111: General Chemistry I and MATH 210: Calculus I
Special information
Note: Enrollment limited to Biology, Environmental Science and Life Science Teaching majors only, except by instructor permission. Overlap: BIOL 315 Limnology.
5 Undergraduate credits
Effective May 6, 2014 to present
Meets graduation requirements for
Learning outcomes
General
- Apply this experience with research methods in this field at the level necessary for success in senior undergraduate research.
- Articulate and defend the actions they would take on various environmental issues.
- Demonstrate quantitative reasoning skills and competency with algebra and statistics at a level appropriate for graduates of a bachelor's degree program in biology.
- Describe the basic institutional arrangements (social, legal, political, economic, religious) that are evolving to deal with environmental and natural resource challenges.
- Design, propose, conduct, interpret, and present the results of an independent laboratory or field experiment in this subject area.
- Evaluate critically environmental and natural resource issues in light of understandings about interrelationships, ecosystems, and institutions.
- Explain and apply scientific knowledge in limnology, both theoretical and experimental, at the upper division level.
- Propose and assess alternative solutions to environmental problems.
- Read and interpret primary scientific literature in limnology.
- Recall, explain and apply the concepts, knowledge and vocabulary of limnology at the level necessary for success in graduate study in this field.
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum
Goal 10: People and the Environment
- Explain the basic structure and function of various natural ecosystems and of human adaptive strategies within those systems.
- Discern patterns and interrelationships of bio-physical and socio-cultural systems.
- Describe the basic institutional arrangements (social, legal, political, economic, religious) that are evolving to deal with environmental and natural resource challenges.
- Evaluate critically environmental and natural resource issues in light of understandings about interrelationships, ecosystems, and institutions.
- Propose and assess alternative solutions to environmental problems.
- Articulate and defend the actions they would take on various environmental issues.
Spring 2026
| Section | Title | Instructor | books | eservices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Limnology | Card, Virginia | Books for ESCI-315-01 Spring 2026 | Course details for ESCI-315-01 Spring 2026 |