Fisheries Techniques (WFB 4610)
​offered every spring

This course is a survey of the most commonly applied field and analytical methods inland fisheries and aquatic science. Fisheries Techniques is arranged in three modules, each concluding with a case study and scientific writing assignment designed to help students learn practical application of:  
  • Designing sampling strategies for fisheries surveys
  • Sampling fish populations/communities and aquatic habitats
  • Data management and analysis
  • Scientific writing for peer-reviewed journals

Ichthyology (WFB 4770)
​offered every fall

This course covers the systematics, morphology, physiology, biogeography, and identification of fishes. Based on South Carolina's impressive freshwater fish diversity, this course is designed to help students develop a working knowledge of fishes that can be applied anywhere in the world. Having successfully completed this course, students will be able to: 
  1. Describe and discuss the major groups of freshwater fishes and the evolutionary history of the traits that distinguish them
  2. Analyze  the diversity and systematics of fishes
  3. Identify freshwater fishes to the species level

Creative Inquiry: Native Black Bass Conservation (FNR 4700-040)
offered every semester

This course is a directed research experience for undergraduate students focusing on ecology and conservation of Bartram's Bass (Micropterus sp. cf. cataractae)--an endemic fish in Clemson's home watershed, the Savannah River. Activities include: 
  • Collecting, preserving, and processing specimens
  • Diet and age-and-growth analysis
  • Analyzing data using R software
  • Presenting research at scientific conferences
  • Writing peer-reviewed manuscripts (two manuscripts currently in prep)

Creative Inquiry: Fish Biodiversity Challenge (FNR 4700-031)
​offered every semester

This course is a directed research experience for undergraduate students focusing on fish community dynamics in streams near Clemson. Activities include: 
  • Long-term monitoring of stream fish communities on Clemson Experimental Forest
  • Analyzing electrofishing sampling effeciency
  • Analyzing seasonal changes in stream fish community structure
  • Presenting research at scientific conferences
  • Writing peer-reviewed manuscripts (one manuscripts currently in prep)
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Analysis and Communication in  Ecology (FNR 8610-06)
offered in spring of even-numbered years

The goals of this course are to help graduate students develop skills in:
(1) analyzing ecological data in R software, and
​(2) effectively communicating science in both technical and non-technical media.

Analytical topics include:
  • Design of experiments and observational studies
  • Multi-level (mixed effects) linear and nonlinear models
  • Multivariate ordination
  • Machine learning
  • Structural equation modeling

​Students develop communication skills through:
  • Weekly scientific writing assignments in peer-reviewed journal format
  • Methods and Results sections in peer-reviewed journal format
  • A final project resulting in a conference-style oral presentation