VANN211 Limnological Methodology

Credits (ECTS):5

Course responsible:Gunnhild Riise

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Norsk

Limits of class size:15. Check "Note".

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:125 hours.

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in June block. This course has teaching/evaluation in June block.

About this course

The course includes lectures, field and laboratory exercises. Processes in different types of lakes, principles for sampling and analysis of water and sediment samples are reviewed. Field methodology: representative sampling of water, sediment and biological samples. Field measurements (in situ). Laboratory work: analyses of collected sample material. Report writing: reporting of results that are placed in a limnological context. Critical assessment of data collected in the field.

Learning outcome

After completing the course, the candidates must:

- Have an overview of possible sampling sites and important field methods in lakes

- Be able to carry out important physical, chemical and biological analyses of fresh water

- Be able to assess the link between important processes in lakes on the basis of limnological data and catchment properties

- Be able to perform representative sampling and have a knowledge on measurement uncertainty in limnological field investigations.

- Understand that fresh water is a vulnerable resource, and that knowledge-based management is a basis for preservation of water quality with regard to biological diversity and physical / chemical properties.

  • Lectures on basic field and laboratory methodology in freshwater. Fieldwork, where students gain experience with various sampling methods, in situ measurements used in limnological surveys, water flow measurements, as well as knowledge of uncertainty related to water sampling. Field work in different types of lakes with different land use in the catchment. Laboratory analyses of collected sample material (water and sediment samples). Final reporting where field observations and laboratory measurments are presented and related to limnological processes.
  • The course is supported by skilled persons within limnology and hydrology, and laboratory technicians during the whole period.
  • VANN210
  • The students are assessed during the course through field and laboratory work. Furthermore, the students are assessed in a group report where they summarise their results.

    Samlet vurdering: The evaluation of the course is based on the report (50 %) and the work in the field and laboratory (50 %). Grading system: Pass / Fail.



    Portfolio Grading: Passed / Not Passed
  • External examiner participates in the evaluation of the assessment arrangements for students’ performance in the course.
  • Both participation in field and laboratory activities and writing of reports must be passed for the students to pass the course.
  • Students who want to take the course must apply for admission in Studentweb no later than April 1st. After that, the places in the course will be distributed.
  • Three weeks duration. Lectures: 12 hours. Field work: 3-4 days. Laboratory work: 5-6 days. Report writing: 5-7 days.
  • B-MILJØ og M-MILJØ
  • VANN210 eller tilsvarende