Courses Offerings

Learn environmental sampling in Door County and at the Lowenwood campus in Land O’ Lakes. Through short lectures and hands-on labs and field trips, students learn how to sample for contaminants; how to take, preserve, transport and analyze field samples; how to interpret and how to present analytical results in light of regulations. Students learn how to determine the water quality of natural systems (e.g. lakes and rivers) or the quality of water from wells and engineered systems. Hands-on activities include field sampling, lab analysis and sample preservation along with an explanation of the theoretical concepts needed to understand, execute and design activities performed.

This is a two-week, 3-credit course taught by Dr. Marcel Dijsktra and Greg Kleinheinz (UWO) and 2-3 other faculty instructors.

Open to any student enrolled at any UW campus. Available for undergraduate or graduate credit through UW Oshkosh. Includes topics relevant for those seeking a master’s degree or are in need of continuing education credits at the master’s level. UW Oshkosh tuition plus a course fee to cover field experience. Housing is provided.

Contact Dr. Greg Kleinheinz (kleinhei@uwosh.edu) or 920-424-1100 for a tentative syllabus or details on cost or the process of registration. There are sections set-up for UW Oshkosh and non-UW Oshkosh students to enroll.

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This course addresses the importance of water in biological, ecological, physical, climate and economic systems, and the consequences of distributing the natural water cycle.

This course meets the NS General Education Requirement and is open to high school students enrolled in the Early College Credit Program.

UW-Milwaukee students interested in this course can enroll via PAWS. Students not enrolled at UW-Milwaukee must enroll as a guest student first.

This is a three-credit introduction to fish culture techniques with a focus on model fish (zebrafish) and aquaculture fish for food or conservation (Lake sturgeon, yellow perch, and walleye). Prerequisites: Bio Sci 150 (or equivalent), Chem 102 (or equivalent), graduate standing, or consent of instructor. Each class will include one-hour lectures and three-hour laboratory exercises. Taught by Dr. Dong Fang Deng at UWM’s School of Freshwater Sciences.

Students interested in this course can enroll via PAWS. Students not enrolled at UW-Milwaukee must enroll as a guest student.

More Information and Application 

Laboratory and field training are essential in water-related fields of study. This two-credit transformative summer course with faculty from UW-River Falls and UW-Madison focuses on laboratory and field techniques for freshwater-related work. Students will increase their field and laboratory skills, support professional development, and cultivate interest in freshwater sciences. The course focuses on practical knowledge of field measurements of water-related processes such as water quality, soil properties, greenhouse gas emissions, and good laboratory practices pre- and post-sampling. Students will also work on data analysis and presentation.

Students must apply for enrollment. Lodging and accommodations provided for selected participants.

For more information and to apply, please contact Dr. Bahareh Hassanpour (Bahareh.hassanpour@uwrf.edu), Dr. Susanne Wiesner (susanne.wiesner@uwrf.edu), and Dr. Grace Bulltail (bulltail@wisc.edu).

Download Flyer

This course addresses the importance of water in biological, ecological, physical, climate and economic systems, and the consequences of distributing the natural water cycle.

This course meets the NS General Education Requirement and is open to high school students enrolled in the Early College Credit Program.

UW-Milwaukee students interested in this course can enroll via PAWS. Students not enrolled at UW-Milwaukee must enroll as a guest student first.

Student learn comprehensive investigative procedures in freshwater ecology, focusing on interactive field and laboratory assignments. This course will meet at the UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences, 600 E. Greenfield Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53204.

Field trips are scheduled for September 19, October 3, October 10, and October 17, from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.  Prerequisites: junior standing or greater, BioSci 150 (or equivalent), and Chem 102 (or equivalent); or graduate standing.

This course is open to students enrolled at any Universities of Wisconsin campus and to non-degree students. Students not enrolled at UW-Milwaukee must enroll as a guest student.

Water is essential for all life and humans rely on freshwater for food production, industry, and multiple forms of recreation. The course provides an introduction to freshwater and the critical role it plays in supporting people and ecosystems. The class will be rooted in the signature question: How do people understand and create a more sustainable world? The fundamental learning outcome is to summarize and evaluate the ways freshwater is important to society and natural ecosystems. Students will achieve learning outcomes from presentations, readings, class discussions, and lecture, laboratory and field exercises.

Lectures are M/W/F, 10:20 a.m.-11:20 a.m.

Lab options are Tuesday, 1:20-4:20 p.m. or Thursday, 1:20-4:20 p.m.

This three-credit course will focus on the biology of microorganisms and microbial processes and their effects on other organisms and the environment, and the impact of these relationships on biogeochemical cycles. Students will explore how the environment shapes microbial communities and how microbes affect the environment while gaining hands on experience on topics related to metagenomics and microbial ecology techniques.