2007-2008 Academic Catalog

Course descriptions


Course descriptions index


Fisheries

Fisheries courses are offered at both the Fairbanks Campus and at the UAF Juneau Center, School of Fisheries and Ocean Science. Those offered only at Fairbanks are identified by the initial F following the course number. Courses offered only at Juneau are identified by the initial J following the course number. The frequency of offering is identified by location for those courses offered at both Fairbanks and Juneau.


FISH 101      3 Credits
Introduction to Fisheries
A survey of the values, habitats, biology, ecology and management of fishes with particular reference to Alaska fisheries and issues. (3 + 0) Offered Fairbanks, Spring; Offered Juneau, Alternate Fall


FISH 261-F     3 Credits
Introduction to Seafood Science and Nutrition
Application of scientific and engineering principles in the harvesting, processing, preservation and marketing of Alaska's rich fisheries resources. For sophomore-level natural sciences/environmental studies students. (Prerequisites: CHEM 105X or BIOL 105X or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


FISH 336-J     3 Credits
Introduction to Aquaculture
The contribution of Alaska's aquaculture industries, including salmon ocean ranching, shellfish and kelp mariculture, contribute to the world's increasingly important aquaculture production. Survey of worldwide production, introduction to production systems and familiarization with Alaska systems. Team taught by SFOS specialists and featuring invited lecturers, laboratory demonstrations and field trips. (Prerequisites: BIOL 106X. Next offered: 2008-09.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


FISH 381      3 Credits
Biology of Commercially Important Salmonid Fishes
Biology, life history and ecology of economically valuable salmonids. Management of salmonid fisheries. (Prerequisite: BIOL 106X.) (3 + 0) Offered As Demand Warrants


FISH 382      4 Credits
Biology of Commercially Important Marine Fishes
Review of the major marine fish resources of Alaska. Taxonomy, distribution, life history and ecological relationships of marine fishes, with emphasis on demersal fishes, early life history and the effects of fisheries on stocks. (Prerequisite: BIOL 106X.) (3 + 0) Offered As Demand Warrants


FISH 383      4 Credits
Biology of Commercially Important Invertebrates
The taxonomy, morphology, physiology and ecology of commercially important invertebrates. History of management and fisheries for the major species presented. Emphasis on Alaska species. (Prerequisite: BIOL 106X.) (3 + 3) Offered As Demand Warrants


FISH 388      3 Credits
Marine and Freshwater Fishes of Alaska (n)
(Cross-listed with BIOL 388)
Biology of the marine and freshwater fishes of Alaska including their evolutionary relationships, biogeography, life-history, ecology, behavior and importance to people. (Prerequisites: BIOL 105X and 106X or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2008-09.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


FISH 400W     3 Credits
Fisheries Science
(Cross-listed with NRM 400W)
Fishery science is reviewed to reflect the emerging concept of a study area integrated over a broad sweep of disciplines: oceanography, limnology, marine biology, fish population dynamics, aquaculture, economics, processing, product quality and development and marketing. Demonstrates how such different subjects have feedback loops to one another and stresses the science fundamentals involved. (Prerequisites: ENGL 111X; ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X or permission of instructor; and one 200-level biology class. Co-requisite: STAT 200X [STAT 373-J].) (3 + 0) Offered Spring


FISH 401W, O/2    3 Credits
Fisheries Management
(Cross-listed with NRM 401W, O/2)
Principles, concepts and techniques of fisheries management in terms of their biological, economic, social and political aspects. Includes stocking and introductions, habitat manipulation, sustainable yield, regulation, management organizations and their responsibilities. Examples of several fisheries are used to clarify concepts and practices. (Prerequisite: BIOL 271; COMM 131X or 141X; ENGL 111X; ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X or permission of instructor. Next offered Juneau: 2007-08.) (3 + 0) Offered Fairbanks Alternate Spring; Offered Juneau Alternate Fall


FISH 418-J     4 Credits
Renewable Resource Management Systems
Develops abilities to recognize, process and apply critical information in the management of renewable resources by examples from Alaska fisheries. The computer as a primary tool of resource management. (Prerequisite: STAT 200X [STAT 373-J]. STAT 401 recommended. Next offered: 2007-08.) (4 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall


FISH 420-J     3 Credits
Modeling, Simulation and Ecological Theory
Introduction to formal models (mathematical, graphical and simulation) in fisheries and ecology. Nature and uses of modeling approaches; choice of assumptions; simulation techniques and model verification; examples and case histories (Prerequisites: MATH 200X, BIOL 271 (BIOL 281-J.) (3 + 0) Offered As Demand Warrants


FISH 421-J     4 Credits
Fisheries Population Dynamics
Review and analysis of the major quantitative techniques available for assessing and predicting the status of fish populations. Demonstration and use of field and laboratory techniques and model verification; examples and case histories. (Prerequisite: STAT 200X [STAT 373-J]. FISH 418 recommended. Next offered: 2007-08.) (4 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


FISH 427      4 Credits
Ichthyology (n)
(Cross-listed with BIOL 427)
Major groups of fishes, emphasizing fishes of northwestern North America. Classification structure, evolution, general biology and importance to man. (Prerequisites: BIOL 317. Next offered: 2007-08.) (3 + 3) Offered Alternate Spring


FISH 436-J     3 Credits
Salmon Culture
Biology and technology of artificial propagation of salmonids. Reproduction, embryology, growth, nutrition, genetics and pathology of salmonids in both extensive (sea ranching) and intensive rearing systems. Bioengineering of incubators, rearing containers, water diversion systems and other related topics. Laboratory exercises in measuring effects of environmental characteristics on development and growth of salmon. (Prerequisites: BIOL 222 [BIOL 209-J], CHEM 106X, FISH 381.)


FISH 445-J     3 Credits
Sampling Methods in Fisheries
A review of standard and specialized sampling techniques in aquatic habitats. Basic sampling theory and statistical consideration, demonstrations, use of field laboratory techniques, shipboard sampling. (Prerequisite: STAT 200X [STAT 373-J]. Next offered: 2007-08.) (2 + 2) Offered Alternate Spring


FISH 450      3 Credits
Practicum in Fisheries: Fisheries Observer Program
Practical experience as a fisheries biologist onboard an Alaska commercial fishing vessel doing independent work at sea as an agent for the National Marine Fisheries Service or the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Simultaneous to credit, the student/observer will be under contract and receive reimbursement for deployment. May be repeated for additional credit during different deployments as observer. (Prerequisites: STAT 200X or permission of instructor.) (0 + variable) Offered As Demand Warrants


FISH 460-K     3-6 Credits
Food Science and Technology Internship (n)
A combination of traditional and industrial training opportunities. Assigned required readings and discussion of appropriate topics in food science and technology. Information applied during hands-on experience in a food processing plant. Discussion includes fundamental information and solutions to industrial problems. Faculty mentor assigned to each intern. Required written evaluation of internship. 30 hours in-plant work experience for 12-24 weeks. (Prerequisites: 16 credits in natural sciences, MATH 200X or MATH 272X or permission of instructor.) Course offered only in Kodiak. (1 + 0 + 3) Offered As Demand Warrants


FISH 601-F     3 Credits
Quantitative Fishery Science
(2 + 3) Offered Alternate Spring


FISH 612-J     4 Credits
Fish Conservation Biology
Deals with maintaining and restoring threatened populations. Includes theoretical foundations of conservation biology and the practical lessons gained from studying historical conservation efforts. Emphasis on case studies. (3 + 2) Offered Alternate Fall


FISH 612-J     4 Credits
Fish Conservation Biology
Conservation biology is an applied science that deals with maintaining and restoring threatened populations. Includes theoretical foundations of conservation biology and the practical lessons gained from studying historical conservation efforts. Emphasis on case studies.(Next offered: 2008-09.) (3 + 2) Offered Alternate Fall


FISH 615      3 Credits
Fish Bioenergetics
Fundamentals of bioenergetics as they apply to sub-arctic fish, basic components of fish growth, energy requirements and energy storage. Analysis of energy required to survive, feed and reproduce successfully. Ecosystem-level trophodynamics and their role in individual as well as population success; the use of biomass and energy-based models to quantify fish growth, consumption rates, biomass removals, assimilation efficiencies and developing bioenergetic models. Course offered in Kodiak and via videoconference in Fairbanks and Juneau. (3 + 0)


FISH 621      4 Credits
Estimation of Fish Abundance
Estimation of abundance of fish and other aquatic populations, using mark-recapture, line-transect, catch-effort and change-in-ratio techniques. Computer lab work and homework from actual and simulated populations. (Prerequisites: MATH 201X, STAT 401, familiarity with PC's including word processing and spreadsheets. Recommended: FISH 421, MATH 302, MATH 314.) (2 + 2.5) Offered Alternate Fall


FISH 622-J     4 Credits
Quantitative Fish Population Dynamics
Modeling fish populations, mortality, recruitment, individual growth and fecundity. Models and assessment techniques for age- and length-structured populations. Biological reference points and management strategies derived from population and harvesting parameters. Computer lab work and homework with data from actual and simulated populations. (Prerequisite: FISH 621.) (2 + 2.5) Offered Alternate Spring


FISH 625      3 Credits
Analysis of Vertebrate Population Survival
and Movement
(Cross-listed with WLF 625)
Contemporary methods of estimation of fundamental population parameters, survival and movement, with their implications for management. Focus will be on assumptions and methodology of estimation techniques. State-of-the-art computer applications will be employed in laboratory exercises of actual and simulated data. (Prerequisites: BIOL 271 and an advanced course in statistics. Next offered: 2008-09.) (2 + 3) Offered Alternate Spring


FISH 630-J     2 Credits
Natural Resource Modeling
A hands-on introduction to the techniques and issues involved in modeling natural resources. Students will complete an individual modeling project related to each student's graduate research. (Prerequisites: FISH 421, STAT 401 or equivalents. Next offered: 2008-09.) (1 + 3) Offered Alternate Spring


FISH 633-J     3 Credits
Pacific Salmon Life Histories
Life history patterns of species and stocks of Pacific salmon compared. Evolutionary models to explain the variety of patterns. Effects of human activities on species and stock; conservation of salmon resources. Discussion and analysis of readings. (Prerequisite: FISH 427. Next offered: 2008-09.) (3 + 3) Offered Alternate Fall


FISH 650      3 Credits
Fish Ecology
(Cross-listed with BIOL 650)
The ecology of fish is examined from the community aspect. Current literature on inter- and intraspecific relationships, influence of the environment on community structure, behavior and production. (Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.) (2 + 3) Offered Fairbanks, Alternate Fall; Offered Juneau, As Demand Warrants


FISH 651-J     4 Credits
Fishery Genetics
Application of genetics to fisheries. Focus on Alaska fisheries including introduction to the theory of electrophoresis, stock separation, population genetics and quantitative genetics. (Next offered: 2008-09.) (4 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


FISH 653-J     3 Credits
Zooplankton Ecology
(Cross-listed with MSL 653-J)
Survey of marine zooplankton including processes and variables which influence their production and dynamics. Emphasis on the northeast Pacific ocean zooplankton community. Field and lab methods for sampling include fixing, preserving, subsampling, identifying and quantifying zooplankton collections. Laboratory techniques for culture of zooplankton include physiological measurements of bioenergetic parameters. (Prerequisites: invertebrate zoology course, MSL 610, or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2007-08.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


FISH 654-J     3 Credits
Benthic Ecology
(Cross-listed with MSL 654-J)
Ecology of marine benthos, from subtidal to hadal zone. Methods of collecting, sorting, narcotizing, preserving and analyzing benthic assemblages, including video analytical techniques from submersibles and ROV's. Hydrothermal vent and cold seep assemblages. Physiology/energetics of benthic organisms, including animal-sediment relationships, feeding, reproduction and growth. Depth, spatial and latitudinal distribution patterns. (Prerequisites: Invertebrate zoology course, marine biology course, or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2008-09.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


FISH 661-F     3 Credits
Seafood Processing and Preservation
(Cross-listed with FSN 661-K)
(3 + 0) Offered As Demand Warrants


FISH 662-F     3 Credits
Seafood Composition and Analysis
(Cross-listed with FSN 662-K)
(3 + 0) Offered As Demand Warrants


FISH 666-J     3 Credits
Biological Assessment in Fisheries and Aquatic Environments
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring