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New aquatic entomology course gives insights into ecological health
STILLWATER, Okla. – Aquatic insects contribute significantly to freshwater ecosystems, and can be an indicator how an ecosystem is responding to stress, which is vitally important to Oklahoma given that the state has more coastline than the Atlantic and Gulf coasts combined.
That is the word from Carmen Greenwood and Joe Bidwell, Oklahoma State University faculty members who have joined forces to offer a new course in aquatic entomology that examines the vital interrelationship between water and land ecosystems.
“This is much-needed knowledge and training, which we will be offering through a combination of lecture, laboratory work and on-site exploration and examination,” said Greenwood, assistant professor of entomology in the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
A word to the wise: Greenwood and Bidwell don’t do boring; instead they are offering an up-close and personal look at the life sciences designed to challenge both undergraduate and graduate students.
Students interested in fisheries, water resources, environmental sciences, biology, zoology and similar career fields can benefit, said Bidwell, associate professor of zoology in the College of Arts and Sciences.
“This is a course that will even be of interest and use to industry practitioners,” Bidwell said. “We wouldn’t be surprised if the course attracts non-traditional students to OSU. Aquatic insects are just that significant an indicator relative to the health of aquatic ecosystems.”
The course is offered as ENTO 4800 for undergraduate credit and ENTO 5020 for graduate credit. Students gain three credit hours upon completion of the course.
Coursework will focus on the biology, taxonomy and ecology of insects and other invertebrates that inhabit freshwater environments; the role of insects in aquatic ecology, both as a forage base and as indicators of overall health of aquatic systems; and the way in which the biotic integrity of aquatic systems and terrestrial systems are linked.
“A person only has to pick up the newspaper to understand these are issues of importance to Oklahoma and the rest of the nation,” Bidwell said. “Water quality is a determinant of quality of life for people as well as animals and plants.”
If the course does well this spring, Greenwood and Bidwell will work with university officials to make it a permanent academic offering at OSU.
“Here at OSU, we’ve always recognized that water and water resources are important to the state,” said Ed Miller, associate dean of academic programs for the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. “We have opportunities to provide greater course offerings relevant to Oklahoma’s interest in water quality, and aquatic entomology is one of those exciting opportunities.”
Anyone interested in additional information about the aquatic entomology course being offered this spring can contact Greenwood by e-mail at carmen.greenwood@okstate.edu or by phone at 405-744-9410, or Bidwell by e-mail at joe.bidwell@okstate.edu or by phone at 405-744-6941.
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REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:
Donald Stotts
News and Media Relations Manager
Agricultural Communications Services
143 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State
University
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-4079
Fax: 405-744-5739
E-Mail: donald.stotts@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating. Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures, and is an equal opportunity employer.
