Instrumentation to Reorient Instruction in Aquatic Biology

该项目资助购买设备，以支持改进两门高级水生生物学课程：湖沼学和浮游生物学。 这两门课程分别服务于环境研究和海洋生物学学位课程。 新设备包括：（1）一个视频显微镜系统，（2）一个光/温度控制培养箱，用于培养孤立的浮游植物，并在营养物富集实验中控制浮游植物的生长，（3）一个振荡器，用于培养箱，（4）两个自动水取样器，用于在潮汐、昼夜和风暴期间进行水取样，用于测量和记录溶解氧、pH、深度、电导率和浊度的多参数水质监测器，（5）用于测量和记录光通量和其他定制输入的水下量子传感器，（6）用于营养物分析的分光光度计，以及（7）两台膝上型计算机，用于与主要数据收集仪器接口并执行数据分析和绘图。 这种新设备向学生介绍了国家的最先进的研究设备和技术，促进学生在小组工作的科学问题的调查方法，侧重于与城市雨水滞洪池（国家关注）和当地潮汐小溪相关的水质问题，并为学生提供进入研究生课程或就业的经验至关重要水生生物学。

This project funds the purchase of equipment to support improvements in two upper-level aquatic biology courses: Limnology and Planktonology. These two courses serve the Environmental Studies and Marine Biology degree programs, respectively. The new items of equipment include (1) a videomicroscope system, (2) a light/temperature controlled incubator to culture isolated phytoplankton and for controlled growth of phytoplankton in nutrient enrichment experiments, (3) a shaker for use in the incubator, (4) two automated water samplers to permit water sampling during tidal, diel, and storm event periods, a multiparameter water quality monitor for measuring and logging dissolved oxygen, pH, depth, conductivity, and turbidity, (5) an underwater quantum sensor for measuring and logging light flux and other custom inputs, (6) a spectrophotometer for nutrient analyses, and (7) two laptop computers to interface with primary data gathering instruments and perform data analysis and graphics. This new equipment introduces students to state-of-the-art research equipment and techniques, fosters investigative approaches to scientific problems by students working in small groups, focuses on water quality problems associated with urban stormwater detention ponds (a national concern) and local tidal creeks, and provides experience vital for students entering graduate programs or employment in aquatic biology.