Course for international guest/part time students
- Faculty
- Faculty of Science
- Organization
- TTK Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology
- Code
- valhidsb22em
- Title
- Selected chapters from hydrobiology L
- Usual semester
- Spring
- Published semester
- 2025/26/2
- ECTS
- 3
- Language
- en
- Learning outcomes
- Competencies: Knowledge: Understands the basic ecological characteristics of aquatic biotopes. Knows the basic concepts of ecology, is aware of its terminology, applies them correctly. Understands that the Earth's continental aquatic habitats play a significant role in the functioning of the continental part of the biosphere. Knows the main living and non-living environmental factors that regulate the characteristics of continental waters. Is aware of the key role of continental waters in water supply for humankind. Recognizes the importance of continental waters in conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem services. Ability: Able to recognize and assess the basic ecological characteristics of aquatic biotopes in a harmonized way. Able to apply the acquired knowledge to explain everyday phenomena. Has the ability to reason based on science. Able to express himself/herself professionally in the field of aquatic ecology both orally and in writing. Attitude: Requires integrating the acquired information in his/her biological knowledge. Committed and open to science-based knowledge and an integrative approach. Committed to acquiring new competencies and expanding his/her worldview. Seeks to express a responsible opinion about the relationship between nature and mankind. Demonstrates exemplary environmental and nature-conscious behaviour and encourages others to follow. Autonomy and Responsibility: Able to think about basic ecological issues on his/her own and can report on them. Able to independently review the literature on a given topic, to organize and present the collected information. Feels responsible for acquiring scientifically based knowledge. Feels a responsibility to put as little strain as possible on nature. Expresses opinion on ecological issues responsibly in professional and non-professional circles.
- Course content
- The aim of the course is to provide an integrated presentation of the basic ecological characteristics, concepts, and contexts of aquatic ecosystems as one of the major types of continental ecosystems. The most important topics of the lecture: Continental waters: the state of art; major types of aquatic biotopes. Hydrobiology of surface waters: standing and running waters; ecosystems of continental saline lakes, soda pans, freshwater lakes, rivers and reservoir lakes. Ecology of hypersaline biotopes. Ecological consequences of anthropogenic salinization of natural aquatic habitats. Environmental factors leading to the formation of meromixis in lakes. Introduction and ecosystem functioning of soda pans in the Carpathic Basin. Seasonal succession of the plankton. The microbial loop. Hydrobiology of running waters with special regard to large rivers. Reservoir lakes and related ecological concerns.
- Assessment method
- k5 = exam mark (5) (1 failed, 5 excellent) The evaluation is based on an assessment of students’ knowledge based on individual performance. During the semester, students give a short (about 15 minutes) lecture on a topic chosen from a list provided by the course instructor. Students prepare to their presentation by their own using the literature. After his/her presentation, the student answers questions from the audience. Typically, student presentations take place in the last two lectures of the semester. The content of student presentations is part of the requirements of the end-of-semester exam. Colloquium during the examination period (written exam, electronically or in the traditional way, mixed quiz and essay questions).
- Bibliography
- Lecture handouts (pdf)