MSCI 659 - Phytoplankton Ecology

Fall, odd years (3) Smith Prerequisite(s): MSCI 501 (may be taken concurrently with Instructor’s consent.)

This course will examine the factors, which influence the growth, losses and distributions of phytoplankton in marine systems. Topics include photosynthesis, pigmentation, productivity, biochemical fractionation, grazing, and nutrient uptake and interactions. A laboratory will introduce students to modern methods used in the study of phytoplankton such as isotopic measurements, HPLC analysis of pigments, fluorometry, and image analysis. Samples from the local estuaries will be used in the laboratories to illustrate the principles discussed in class.