Indiana Biological Survey

Training

Early Life History Certificate

Fisheries Techniques and Electrofishing Certification

Taxonomy of Fishes Certificate

Other Aquatic and Ecological Courses

Slender madtom development

• Four courses including the study design and early life history taxonomy of North American freshwater fishes.



• Instructors: Robert Wallus & guest lecturers



• Certification: Requires completion of all four courses in sequence. Courses can be completed for continuing education credit, Biological Survey certification, or as a directed studies course through Indiana University.



• ELH1 Field Methodology (3 credits) – Study design and implementation of study objectives are crucial for successful conclusions. A well designed study benefits from properly implemented techniques. The purpose of this course is to describe options for evaluating intake structures. The course will include information on study design, gear selection, passive gear, active gear, case studies, and quality assurance issues. This course will include a question and answer period with government representatives. Course materials will be provided to the student prior to attendance so that materials can be read prior to class initiation (suggested Course Length: 3 days – 1:00 PM Tuesday-12:00 Thursday).



• ELH2 Taxonomy of Early Life Stages of Fishes I (3 credits) – (prerequisites: Field Methodology) This course is an introduction to early life history terminology, identification to family, and taxonomy of the primitive fishes including the Petromyzontidae to Catostomidae and Ictaluridae. Courses will specialize in specific geographic areas, but will include information of interest to the North American fauna. Students will be provided relevant reading assignments prior to the course (suggested course length: 5 days – 12:00 Monday – 12:00 Friday)



• ELH3 Taxonomy of Early Life Stages of Fishes II (3 credits) – (prerequisites: Taxonomy of Early Life Stages of Fishes I) This course is a continuation of the previous course, The student will build on the experiences from the previous course and will be exposed to key identification traits and taxonomy of the spiny rayed fishes including the Moronidae, Elassomatidae, Centrarchidae, Cottidae, and Percidae, Courses will specialize in specific geographic areas, but will include information of interest to the North American fauna. Students will be provided relevant reading assignments prior to the course (suggested course length: 5 days – 12:00 Monday – 12:00 Friday)



• ELH4 Taxonomy of Early Life Stages of Fishes III (3 credits) – (prerequisites: Taxonomy of Early Life Stages of Fishes II). This course is a continuation of the previous course title, The student will build on the experiences from the previous course and will be exposed to key identification traits and taxonomy of the Cyprinidae, Percopsidae through Scianidae, with exception of previous species covered in courses I and II, Courses will specialize in specific geographic areas, but will include information of interest to the North American fauna. Students will be provided relevant reading assignments prior to the course (suggested course length: 5 days – 12:00 Monday – 12:00 Friday).

Backpack shocker used to collect fish

• Each course is certified separately including, Fisheries Techniques, Aquatic Sampling Techniques, or Application of Electrofishing.



• Instructors: INBS staff & guest lecturers



• Certification: Requires completion of any two courses in sequence. Courses can be completed for continuing education credit, Biological Survey certification, or as a directed studies course through Indiana University.



• FTE1 Fisheries Techniques (3 credits) – Study design and use of field techniques including basic sampling strategies, use of active and passive field equipment, The purpose of this course is to provide the student experience in the use of field sampling equipment commonly used in fisheries field applications. The course will include information on study design, gear selection, merits of passive and active gear choices, field and laboratory sampling considerations, and quality assurance issues. This course will include a question and answer period. Course materials will be provided to the student prior to attendance so that materials can be read prior to class initiation (suggested Course Length: 3 days – 1:00 PM Tuesday-12:00 Thursday).



• FTE2 Aquatic Techniques (3 credits) - Study design and use of field techniques including basic sampling strategies, use of active and passive field equipment for sampling of aquatic organisms other than fish, The purpose of this course is to provide the student experience in the use of field sampling equipment commonly used in field applications. This course will describe options for implementing a properly designed research study. The course will include information on study design, gear selection, merits of passive and active gear choices, field and laboratory sampling considerations, and quality assurance issues. This course will include a question and answer period. Course materials will be provided to the student prior to attendance so that materials can be read prior to class initiation (suggested Course Length: 3 days – 1:00 PM Tuesday-12:00 Thursday).



• FTE3 Application of Electrofishing (5 credits) – This intensive course is modeled from the Electrofishing certification program of the federal government. Students will be provided both lecture and field exposure to electrofishing demonstrations, case studies, relevant literature, and problem solving skills for adjusting fields to the study sites. The theory of Power, electric circuitry, and calculation of power adjustments will be covered in this course. Students will be exposed to a variety of electrofishing equipment including backpack electrofishing units, long-line systems, and boat mounted systems. Bring your system for qualifying field checks and measurement of field. A certification test will be required for Electrofishing certification. Course materials will be provided (suggested Course Length: 5 days – 12:00 PM Monday -5:00 Friday).

Etheostoma histrio - harlequin darter

• Four courses are required for certification.



• Instructors: INBS staff & guest lecturers



• Certification: Requires completion of all four courses in sequence and passing of a practical examination at the conclusion of each course. Courses can be completed for continuing education credit, Biological Survey certification, or as a directed studies course through Indiana University.



• TFC1 Basic Ichthyology (3 credits) – The study of ichthyology is the classical study of fish. This course will be an introduction to the systematics and taxonomy of fishes. The student will learn the systemtic relationships of fishes, common laboratory procedures, meristic and morphometric measurements, osteological and anatomical aspects of fishes. The purpose of this course is to expose the student to laboratory instruction of fish identification. This course is the introduction to fish preservation, handling, and identification. This course is applicable to all North American freshwater systems. Course materials will be provided to the student prior to attendance so that materials can be read prior to class initiation (suggested Course Length: 3 days – 1:00 PM Tuesday-12:00 Thursday). Note; This course can be tested out of by passing a test.



• TFC2 Primitive Fishes of North America I (5 credits) – (prerequisites TFC1) – The student will be trained in the identification of North American freshwater species including the Petromyzontidae through Sciaenidae, with the exception of minnows and darters. This course will prepare the student in the use of a dichotomous key, color and physical attributes for identifying species, and color traits for identification of living specimens. This course is applicable to all North American freshwater systems, but select courses may emphasize particular faunas. Course materials will be provided to the student prior to attendance so that materials can be read prior to class initiation (suggested Course Length: 3 days – 1:00 PM Tuesday-12:00 Thursday). Note; This course can be tested out of by passing a test.



• TFC3 Cyprinidae of North America II (5 credits) – (prerequisites TFC1) - The student will be trained in the identification of North American freshwater minnow species. This course will prepare the student in the use of a dichotomous key, color and physical attributes for identifying species, and color traits for identification of living specimens. This course is applicable to all North American freshwater systems, but select courses may emphasize particular faunas. Course materials will be provided to the student prior to attendance so that materials can be read prior to class initiation (suggested Course Length: 4 days – 1:00 PM Monday-12:00 Thursday).



• TFC4 Percidae of North America III (5 credits) – (prerequisite TFC1) - The student will be trained in the identification of North American freshwater percid species. This course will prepare the student in the use of a dichotomous key, color and physical attributes for identifying species, and color traits for identification of living specimens. This course is applicable to all North American freshwater systems, but select courses may emphasize particular faunas. Course materials will be provided to the student prior to attendance so that materials can be read prior to class initiation (suggested Course Length: 4 days – 1:00 PM Monday-12:00 Thursday).

• Each course is certified separately including, Biology of Crayfish, Advanced Biology of Crayfish, Taxonomy of Sedges, Biological Assessment and Criteria, or Biology of Mussels.



• Instructors: INBS staff & guest lecturers



• Certification: None available. Additional courses will be added frequently.



• OAC1 Biology of Crayfish (3 credits) – Crayfish are among the largest macroinvertebrates in North America and structure other benthic biological communities. The course explores the natural history of the Cambaridae of North America. This course will provide both lecture and laboratory experience with preserved material. The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to taxonomic characters necessary for the identification, collection, and analysis of crayfish data. A field component will be associated with this course to provide experience with collection gear, habitat, and biological structure and function of crayfish. If this course is taken for University credit additional reading and a student directed project will be required. Course materials will be provided to the student prior to attendance so that materials can be read prior to class initiation (suggested Course Length: 4 days – 1:00 PM Tuesday-12:00 Friday).



• OAC2 Biology of Mussels (3 credits) – Freshwater mussels are important indicators of water quality because of their long-life, large size, and reproductive needs. The course explores the natural history of the Unionidae of North America and will provide both lecture and laboratory experience with preserved material. The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to taxonomic characters necessary for the identification, collection, and analysis of mussels. A field component will be associated with this course to provide experience with collection gear, habitat, and biological structure and function of mussel assemblages. If this course is taken for University credit additional reading and a student directed project will be required. Course materials will be provided to the student prior to attendance so that materials can be read prior to class initiation (suggested Course Length: 4 days – 1:00 PM Tuesday-12:00 Friday).



• OAC3 Taxonomy of Sedges (4 credits) – The sedges are important wetland indicator plants. Sedges show a variety of tolerances, are biological diverse, and have been incorporated into several wetland indicies. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to sedge taxonomy and systematics. This course will provide both lecture and laboratory experience with preserved material and will include field experiences. Taxonomic characters necessary for the identification of sedge specimens will be the focus. A daily field component will provide experience with specimens and their habitat. If this course is taken for University credit additional reading and a student directed project will be required. Some course materials will be provided to the student prior to attendance so that materials can be read prior to class initiation (suggested Course Length: 5 days – 1:00 PM Monday-12:00 Friday).



• OAC4 Biological Assessment and Criteria (4 credits) – (prerequisite FTE1 or FTE2, and FTE3) - Study design of biological assessment studies is vital for proper analysis of watershed conditions. The purpose of this course will be to explore the underpinnings of biological assessment including the use of field techniques and basic sampling strategies. In addition, the principals of criteria development including index development and considerations, tools and strategies for indicator selection, and development of multimetric indices will be described. This course will describe options for implementing a properly designed research study. This course will be lecture based and include a question and answer period. Course materials will be provided to the student prior to attendance so that materials can be read prior to class initiation (suggested Course Length: 5 days – 12:00 PM Monday-12:00 Friday).



• OAC5 Advanced Biology of Crayfish (5 credits) – (prerequisite OAC1) Field investigations of crayfish assemblages outside of Indiana including specific watersheds or geographical areas. This course will focus on the recognition of geological and ecological factors responsible for the evolution of crayfish assemblages. The student will be part of a field project that will investigate a particular research question that will be a final product from the study. Students will be involved in reaching study objectives prior to field work. Each student will write study design and describe the use of field techniques needed to address their research question. The purpose of this course is to provide the student experience in the field being actively engaged in field application of information learned in OAC1. Geographic areas will change and will usually be conducted during spring break. Cost of field travel is in addition to the course costs. Prrior to field work the student and the lead field team will work together to explore the fauna of the area that will be investigated and will develop the final project goals. Once the student returns from the field work completion of the remaining project information will be required. (suggested Course Length: 7 field days and additional preparation time at students schedule convenience).