Course descriptions index


Fisheries


FISH F101 Introduction to Fisheries

3 Credits     Offered Fall

A survey of the values, habitats, biology, ecology and management of fishes with particular reference to Alaska fisheries and issues. (3+0)


FISH F261 Introduction to Fisheries Utilization

3 Credits     Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years

Application of harvesting, processing, preservation and marketing of Alaska's rich fisheries resources. Core course requirement for all B.A. students completing a minor in fisheries. Serves as an elective for B.S. fisheries students. Prerequisites: CHEM F105X or BIOL F116X or permission of instructor. (3+0)


FISH F288 Marine and Freshwater Fishes of Alaska

3 Credits     Offered Spring

Biology of the marine and freshwater fishes of Alaska including their evolutionary relationships, biogeography, life-history, ecology, behavior and importance to people. Prerequisites: FISH F101 or permission of instructor. (Cross-listed with BIOL F288.) (3+0)


FISH F290 Fisheries Internship

1 Credit

Under the supervision of a fisheries professional, students gain practical, professional experience through employment. Can be repeated up to four times, each for a different type of employment. The primary learning objectives for students are to gain professional experience in fisheries and refine career goals. Graded Pass/Fail. Prerequisites: Permission of the Fisheries Experiential Learning Coordinator/instructor; a student internship agreement form turned into the Experiental Learning Coordinator. Recommended: STAT F200X. (0+0+1 - 4)


FISH F315 Fisheries Techniques

4 Credits     Offered Fall

Introduction to laboratory and field sampling methods in aquaculture, limnology, and fisheries biology. Emphasis will be placed on the proper care and use of laboratory equipment and field sampling gears, as well as the development of sampling protocols for collecting representative, non-biased fisheries and aquatic sciences data. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: FISH F101; FISH F288; STAT F200X; or permission of instructor. (3+3)


FISH F336 Introduction to Aquaculture

3 Credits     Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years

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. This course is taught in Juneau. Prerequisites: BIOL F116X. (3+0)


FISH F381 Biology of Commercially Important Salmonid Fishes

3 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

Biology, life history and ecology of economically valuable salmonids. Management of salmonid fisheries. Prerequisites: BIOL F116X. (3+0)


FISH F382 Biology of Commercially Important Marine Fishes

4 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

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. Prerequisites: BIOL F116X. (0+0)


FISH F383 Biology of Commercially Important Invertebrates

4 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

The taxonomy, morphology, physiology and ecology of commercially important invertebrates. History of management and fisheries for the major species presented. Emphasis on Alaska species. Prerequisites: BIOL F116X. (0+0)


FISH F418 Renewable Resource Management Systems

4 Credits     Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years

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. This course is taught in Juneau. Prerequisites: STAT F200X [STAT S273-J]. Recommended: STAT F401. (4+0)


FISH F420 Modeling, Simulation and Ecological Theory

3 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

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 This course is taught in Juneau. Prerequisites: MATH F200X; BIOL F271 (BIOL S281-J). (3+0)


FISH F421 Fisheries Population Dynamics

4 Credits     Offered Spring Even-numbered Years

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. This course is taught in Juneau. Prerequisites: STAT F200X [STAT S273-J]. Recommended: FISH F418. (4+0)


FISH F425 Fish Ecology

3 Credits     Offered Fall

Focus on the relationship of fishes to the physical, chemical, and biological features of their environment and the processes responsible for patterns of fish distribution and abundance. Concepts introduced in lectures will follow a logical progression, starting with the study of individual fish moving towards investigations of populations, metapopulations, and assemblages. Prerequisites: BIOL F115X; BIOL F271; FISH F101; or permission of instructor. Recommended: FISH F288. (3+0)


FISH F427 Ichthyology (n)

4 Credits     Offered Spring

Major groups of fishes, emphasizing fishes of northwestern North America. Classification structure, evolution, general biology and importance to man. Prerequisites: BIOL F317. (Cross-listed with BIOL F427.) (3+3)


FISH F436 Salmon Culture

3 Credits

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. This course is taught in Juneau. Prerequisites: BIOL F222 [BIOL S209-J]; CHEM F106X; FISH F381. (3+0)


FISH F445 Sampling Methods in Fisheries

3 Credits     Offered Spring Even-numbered Years

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. This course is taught in Juneau. Prerequisites: STAT F200X [STAT S273-J]. (2+2)


FISH F450 Practicum in Fisheries: Fisheries Observer Program

3 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

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. Graded Pass/Fail. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: STAT F200X or permission of instructor. (0+1 - 12)


FISH F460 Food Science and Technology Internship

3 - 6 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

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. Note: Course offered only in Kodiak. Prerequisites: 16 credits in natural sciences; MATH F200X or MATH F272 or permission of instructor. (Cross-listed with FSN F460.) (1+0+3)


FISH F487W,O Fisheries Management

3 Credits     Offered Spring

Theory and practice of fisheries management, with an emphasis on strategies utilized for the management of freshwater and marine fisheries. Application of quantitative methodologies for the assessment and manipulation of aquatic habitats, sport and commercial fish populations, and stock assessment are considered, as is the setting of appropriate goals and objectives for effective, science-based management. Prerequisites: COMM F131X or COMM F141X; ENGL F111X; ENGL F211X or ENGL F213X; ENGL F414; FISH F425; or permission of instructor. (Cross-listed with NRM F487.) (3+0)


FISH F490 Experiential Learning - Fisheries Internship

1 Credit

Under the supervision of a faculty member and a fisheries professional, upper-division students gain professional experience through employment. Requirements are decided prior to enrollment based on a 3-way agreement between the employer, student, and faculty member, which contains learning objectives that reflect upper-division credit. Can be repeated up to 4 times, each for a different type of employment. Graded Pass/Fail. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing plus permission of Faculty Sponsor and the Fisheries Experiential Learning Coordinator/instructor (the Coordinator can be a sponsor as well); signing of a student internship agreement form that contains learning objectives for the internship that reflects upper-division internship credit. Recommended: FISH F315; STAT F200X; STAT F401. (0+0+1 - 4)


FISH F499 Fisheries Senior Thesis

2 Credits Prerequisites: ENGL F414; STAT F200X; Fisheries major with senior standing and a GPA of 3.2 or higher; permission of Faculty mentor and the Fisheries Experiential Learning Coordinator/instructor (the Coordinator may be a mentor) after submission of a preproposal. Recommended: FISH F315; STAT F401; STAT F402. (0+0+2 - 4)


FISH F601 Quantitative Fishery Science

3 Credits     Offered Spring Even-numbered Years (2+3)


FISH F612 Fish Conservation Biology

4 Credits     Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years

Conservation biology is an applied science that deals with maintaining and restoring threatened populations. Includes theoretical foundations of conservation biology and the practical lessons to be gained from studying historical conservation efforts. Emphasis on case studies. Note: This course is taught in Juneau. (3+2)


FISH F615 Fish Bioenergetics

3 Credits

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 F621 Estimation of Fish Abundance

3 Credits

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 F201X; STAT F401; familiarity with PC's including word processing and spreadsheets. Recommended: FISH F421; MATH F302; MATH F314. (2+2.5)


FISH F622 Quantitative Fish Population Dynamics II

3 Credits     Offered Alternate Spring

Modeling fish population 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. This course is taught in Juneau. Prerequisites: FISH F621. (2+2.5)


FISH F625 Analysis of Vertebrate Population Survival and Movement

3 Credits     Offered Alternate Odd-numbered Spring

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. This course is taught in Juneau. Prerequisites: BIOL F271 and an advanced course in statistics. (Cross-listed with WLF F625.) (2+3)


FISH F630 Natural Resource Modeling

2 Credits     Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years

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. This course is taught in Juneau. Prerequisites: FISH F421 and STAT F401 or equivalents. (1+3)


FISH F633 Pacific Salmon Life Histories

3 Credits     Offered Fall Even-numbered Years

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. This course is taught in Juneau. Prerequisites: FISH F427. (3+0)


FISH F640 Management of Renewable Marine Resources

3 Credits     Offered Spring Even-numbered Years

Principles of fisheries management, along with case studies of successes and failures. Topics include management objectives, relationships of fished species to their environment, fishing methods, human dimensions, fishery data acquisition, harvest strategies, ecosystem effects of fishing, aquaculture and alternative management strategies, including ecosystem-based fishery management. Prerequisites: FISH F427. Recommended: FISH F487. (3+0)


FISH F642 Bayesian Decision Theory for Resource Management

4 Credits     Offered Spring Even-numbered Years

Application of decision theory to problems in natural resources management. Students will learn to perform Bayesian calculations and uncomplicated decision analysis themselves. Prerequisites: FISH F621 of FISH F630; or permission of instructor. (Cross-listed with STAT F642.) (2+2)


FISH F650 Fish Ecology

3 Credits     Offered Fairbanks: Alternate Fall
                  Offered Juneau: As Demand Warrants

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. (Cross-listed with BIOL F650.) (2+3)


FISH F651 Fishery Genetics

4 Credits     Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years

Application of genetics to fisheries. Focus on Alaska fisheries including introduction to the theory of electrophoresis, stock separation, population genetics and quantitative genetics. This course is taught in Juneau. (4+0)


FISH F653 Zooplankton Ecology

3 Credits     Offered Spring Even-numbered Years

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 F610; or permission of instructor. (Cross-listed with MSL F653J.) (3+0)


FISH F654 Benthic Ecology

3 Credits     Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years

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. (Cross-listed with MSL F654.) (3+0)


FISH F661 Seafood Processing and Preservation

3 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

(Cross-listed with FSN F661K.) (3+0)


FISH F662 Seafood Composition and Analysis

3 Credits     Offered As Demand Warrants

(Cross-listed with FSN F662.) (3+0)


FISH F666 Biological Assessment in Fisheries and Aquatic Environments

3 Credits     Offered Alternate Spring

(3+0)