Courses

Semester: Spring 2026

Credit Hours: 3

Course Modality: In Person

Classroom Location: LS II room 367 and Lab LS II Room 369

Meeting Times:  Mondays and Wednesdays 12:00‐12:50; Lab Tuesdays 8‐10:50

Instructor Name: Dr. Ed Heist and Junman Huang (TA)

SIU email address: junman.huang@siu.edu@siu.edu

Office Location: LS III 1019

Office Hours:  Tuesday and Thursday 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM and by appointment. Emails from students will receive prompt responses during working hours.

Office Phone: 618 453 4131

Course Description: An introduction to marine biology including physical and chemical
characteristics of marine ecosystems, biology of important marine organisms, and descriptions of
specific marine habitats ranging from coastal to pelagic and the surface to the deep benthic. There will be one two‐hour lecture and one three‐hour lab each week. In this course you will learn about the
nature of Earth’s oceans including the physical and chemical principles that govern which organisms can live where. You will survey the diversity of life in the oceans including microbes plants and animals
focusing on ecologically and scientifically important species and groups. You will take a deep‐dive into particular marine habitats including coral reefs, estuaries, deep sea etc. Finally, you will learn the
impact and future prospects of humans utilizing the oceans for resources including seafood.

Field Trip: The course will include a mandatory 6‐day field trip to a coastal marine station over
spring break (March 7‐12) which will incur a cost to students of $650 (due February 13).
Fee must be paid in the form of a check (made out to SIUC) or money order. Submit
your payment to Becky Yancey in the School of Biological Sciences office, LSII room
420C. There will be no class the week of April 29 ‐May 2.

Textbook: Morrissey, J. F., J. L. Sumich and D. R. Pinkard‐Meier. 2018. Introduction to the Biology
of Marine Life: 11th Edition. Jones and Bartlett. (required).

Lab Manual: Cass‐Dudley, V. L., G. H. Dudley and J. L, Sumich. 2018. Laboratory and Field
Investigations in Marine Life: 11th Edition. Jones and Bartlett. (required).

Grade Scale: Grade will be based on 3 exams (20% of final grade each), the average of weekly lab
grades (20% of the final grade) and a lab practical (20% of the final grade). Weekly lab
grades are based on lab attendance (50%) and write‐up completion (50%). The lowest
weekly lab grade will be dropped. Overall course grade will be based on percentage of
500 total points: A = 90‐100%, B = 80‐89%, C = 70‐79%, D = 60‐69%, F = 0‐59%.

Late Work Policy: Make‐up exams will be granted only for extreme emergencies. Participation in the
field trip is mandatory. Failure to attend and participate in laboratory and/or field trip
activities will result in a grade of "F."

Attendance: Students will be permitted one unexcused absence (not including the field trip) per
semester. Each additional absence will result in 10 points deducted from the final point
total. This course will adhere the University Policy of Accommodating Religious
Students

Class Preparation: Students are expected to have read the required reading prior to each class so that
they will better understand the lecture and be able to ask knowledgeable questions.
Mobile Technology Policy: Students may use laptops, tablets and other mobile devices so long as that
use is not disruptive to other students.

Disruptive Behavior Policy: If students become disruptive either personally or through disruptive use of cell phones or other mobile technology, they will be warned once. If disruptions continue, students will be asked to leave and will be marked absent for the day.

Statement of Inclusive Excellence: SIU contains people from all walks of life, from many different
cultures and sub‐cultures, and representing all strata of society, nationalities, ethnicities, lifestyles, and
affiliations. Learning from and working with people who differ from you is an important part of your
education in this class, as well as an essential preparation for any career.

Lecture Schedule 2026
1/12 Intro, Ch 1. The Ocean as Habitat
1/14 Chapter 1 The Ocean as Habitat
1/21 Chapter 2 Physical and Chemical Oceanography
1/26 Chapter 2 Physical and Chemical Oceanography
1/28 Chapter 3 Patterns and Associations
2/2 Chapter 3 Patterns and Associations
2/4 Chapter 4 Marine Microbes
2/9 Chapter 4 Marine Microbes
2/11 Chapter 5 Marine Macroalgae and Plants
2/16 Chapter 6 Microbial Heterotrophs and Invertebrates
2/18 Chapter 6 Microbial Heterotrophs and Invertebrates
2/23 Exam Chapters 1‐5
2/25 Chapter 7 Marine Vertebrates I: Fishes and Reptiles
3/2 Chapter 7 Marine Vertebrates I: Fishes and Reptiles
3/4 Chapter 7 Marine Vertebrates I: Fishes and Reptiles
3/7‐12 Spring Break – Field trip
3/16 Chapter 8 Marine Vertebrates II: Seabirds and Marine Mammals
3/18 Chapter 8 Marine Vertebrates II: Seabirds and Marine Mammals
3/23 Chapter 9 Estuaries
3/25 Chapter 10 Coastal Seas
3/30 Exam Chapter 6‐8
4/1 Chapter 10 Coastal Seas
4/6 Chapter 11 The Coral Reef Ecosystems
4/8 Chapter 12 The Open Sea
4/13 Chapter 13 The Deep‐Sea Floor
4/15 Chapter 14 Polar Seas
4/20 Chapter 15 Harvesting Living Marine Resources
4/22 Chapter 15 Harvesting Living Marine Resources
Final Chapter 9 ‐15

Offered: Every other spring semester

Instructor: Professor: Michael Lydy

Office: LSII, Room 179

Office phone: 453-4091, email: mlydy@siu.edu       

Textbook: Framework for Ecological Risk Assessments, EPA/630/R-92/001

The major objectives of this course are to introduce the students to the framework for conducting Ecological Risk Assessments (ERA); to provide the students with hand-on experience working through a variety of actual case studies; and to challenge the students to work in small groups to develop their own ERA's and paradigms using simulated scenarios. Prerequisites: one semester of ecology or consent of instructor.

Offered: Fall semesters (even-numbered years)

Instructor: Dr. Greg Whitledge

103 Fisheries Annex

Phone: 453-6089

e-mail: gwhit@siu.edu

Course Description: This course will explore historical and contemporary issues in the management of fishes and conservation of exploited species in marine and freshwater systems (with an emphasis on inland lakes and rivers). It also will introduce students to approaches for assessing fish stocks and managing fisheries. Topics include fishery law, policy development, sampling fishes, abundance estimation, recruitment, mortality, age and growth, creel surveys, regulations, habitat management, introduced species, and use of hatchery fish. The course will emphasize problem-solving. Students will be required to complete a detailed lab report, similar to those required by agencies to summarize research results or make management recommendations. A central goal is to provide students with a solid conceptual grasp of fisheries issues while gaining the practical tools necessary for assessing and managing systems with exploited species. Two lectures weekly and one 4-hour lab/field trip on alternating weeks.

Prerequisiste: 10 hours of biological science or consent of instructor.

Zool 477

Instructor: Jim Garvey

LS II Room 251

Office Hours By Appointment

What’s the Goal? By the end of this course, students will be able to: 1. Define aquaculture and describe its history and global importance. 2. Identify major aquaculture species and production systems. 3. Explain basic aquatic biology relevant to cultured organisms. 4. Analyze water quality parameters and their effects on aquatic animals. 5. Describe principles of aquaculture nutrition and feeding strategies. 6. Recognize common diseases and basic health management practices. 7. Compare intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive aquaculture systems. 8. Discuss environmental, ethical, and economic considerations in aquaculture. 9. Apply basic problem-solving skills to real-world aquaculture scenarios.

Coursework:

Exam 1                                               100 points

Exam 2                                               100 points

Final Exam                                         150 points (100 points new material, 50 points comprehensive)

Life history essay                             150 points

Group Lab Project                           100 points

Total                                                   600 points

Exam Format:  Essay and short answer

Life history essay:  Pick an aquacultured aquatic organism (freshwater/marine, fish or invertebrate).  In a 6-7 page maximum, double–spaced report with at least 8 references, provide the following information about the species:

1)  Basic life history:  Range, species name, reproductive capacity, other aspects of their ecology (about 1 page)

2)  Known conservation status and future (0.5 pages)

3)  Appropriateness for culture and farming (2-3 page) (e.g., captive breeding and growing of a silver carp is going to be very different than for a particular species of Acropora coral)

4)  Design of a system for propagating and growing the species (2 pages)

5)  Health and environmental issues associated with culture of this organism (2 pages)

Independent Lab Project:  Design and implement a research project during the semester to test a hypothesis in aquaculture and/or aquaculture management. This will involve discussions on design in labs and implementation through the spring. Students will be responsible for overseeing the project and collecting data, with undergraduates in the course assisting with data collection and analysis. A report summarizing the hypothesis, methods, and results will be graded at the end of the semester.

Use of AI: I happen to be a fan of using AI as a research tool. I am not a fan of using AI as a writing tool. Feel free to use your favorite model to research your subjects for the paper. But communicating as a writer needs to be all your effort.

Aquaculture course is offered in the fall semester.

For more information, contact Dr. Garvey jgarvey@siu.edu 

Offered: Every other fall semester

Instructor: Professor: Michael Lydy

Office: LSII, Room 179

Office phone: 453-4091, email: mlydy@siu.edu       

Text: Fundamentals of Aquatic Toxicology, 2nd edition, Gary Rand

The major objectives of this course are to introduce students to the diverse array of toxicological tests that are currently being required by environmental laws, and provide hands-on experience with these techniques through the use of lab exercises. Lab topics include standard acute and chronic toxicity testing, use of passive samplers to access bioavailability, and estimation of uptake and elimination rates of organic contaminants into aquatic species. Prerequisites: ecology and one semester of organic chemistry or consent of instructor.

Offered: Every other fall semester

Instructor: Professor: Michael Lydy

Office: LSII, Room 179

Office phone: 453-4091, email: mlydy@siu.edu       

Textbooks: James M. Miller, Chromatography Concepts and Contrasts, 2nd, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, New Jersey, 2005, ISBN: 0-47147207-7. John R. Dean, Extraction method for environmental analysis, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York, 1998, ISBN: 0471982873 

Environmental scientists currently have available to them an amazing array of powerful tools for obtaining qualitative and quantitative information about contaminants in the environment. However, the efficient use of these analytical instruments requires an understanding of the fundamental analytical principles, techniques, and hands-on experience with the various methods. This course will cover commonly used analytical techniques used in environmental toxicology (e.g. TLC, GC, LC) and focus on chromatography and sample preparation methods. This is an advanced class for graduate students interested in the analytical tools used in the field of environmental toxicology. Prerequisites: one semester of organic chemistry or consent of instructor.

Offered: Spring semesters (alternating years)

Instructor: Dr. Greg Whitledge 103 Fisheries Annex

Phone: 453-6089 e-mail: gwhit@siu.edu

Course Description:

The goals of this course are to: 1) introduce students to issues that challenge contemporary fisheries managers, building on concepts covered in ZOOL 466; 2) foster an appreciation of the complexity of fisheries problems and the need for crafting solutions that account for an inherently dynamic management environment; 3) expose students to fisheries management issues in areas outside the Midwestern U.S., and 4) provide an opportunity for students to hone critical thinking, information synthesis, peer review and oral communication skills. Course topics will be covered primarily via lectures, assigned readings from the primary literature, and student-led discussions. Meets three times per week. Prerequisiste: ZOOL 466 (Fisheries Management) or consent of instructor.

Semester: Fall 2026

Credit Hours: 3

Course Modality: In Person

Classroom Location: LS III room 367

Meeting Times:  Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 – 10:15 AM.

Instructor Name: Dr. Ed Heist

SIU email address: edheist@siu.edu

Office Location: LS III 1019

Office Hours:  Tuesday and Thursday 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM and by appointment. Emails from students will receive prompt responses during working hours.

Office Phone: 618 453 4131

Course Description: Application of principles from evolutionary and ecological genetics to applied disciplines including conservation biology, forestry, fishery management, wildlife management, and aquaculture. Includes an overview of classical, molecular, population and quantitative genetics leading to an understanding of how managers can conserve genetic diversity and evolutionary potential of natural and captive populations.  Includes integration of genomic technology and insights from bioinformatic analysis of genomic data.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Successful students will be able to name the four forces of evolution (mutation, migration, genetic drift and natural selection) and describe how each (individually and in tandem) influences genetic variation within and among populations.
• They will be able to list and describe past and current methods for obtaining and analyzing genetic and genomic data.
• They will understand the impact of quantitative genetics on phenotypes under both natural and artificial selection, and how captive rearing practices influence inbreeding and domestication.
• They will be able to discuss why genetics is an important but often under-appreciated component of conservation of animal and plant species.
• They will be able to relate the theory and practice of conservation genetics to their own thesis and dissertation topics.

Text:  Conservation and the Genomics of Populations.  3rd edition.  Allendorf, Funk, Aitken, Byrne and Luikart.  2022. 

Evaluation:  Four quarterly exams will be administered.  Exams will consist primarily of short essay, short answer, and definition of terms.  The final grade for this course will be determined by the mean of the four exam scores with whole grades (no +/-) awarded.  Non-graded homework assignments will be provided throughout the semester as study aids.

Lecture and Exam Schedule