The ichthyology course covers the systematics, classfication,
morphology, physiology, behavior and ecology of fishes. Materials in the lecture and the laboratory focus on freshwater species, especially those native to Missouri and Illinois. The lecture format includes lecture exams and writing assignments, and graduate students enrolled in BIOL 585 are required to present a full lecture to the course during the semester.
The laboratory portion includes learning how to identify local species, analysis of fish
morphology, and other lab exercises as time permits; the last lab section of the semester is devoted to learning the technique of gyotaku (Japanese fish printing) which we use to decorate course T-shirts.
This is an excellent course for those interested in natural resource management, vertebrate iology, zoology, and veterinary medicine. |
