CHEM 122 - Day 1 Watershed Laboratory I

This course begins with a three-day field and laboratory research experience in the Macatawa Watershed. Students will address issues of water quality that have plagued Lake Macatawa for over a century. The research findings are essential for understanding the impact of Project Clarity, a community-wide effort to clean up the waters of Lake Macatawa in a sustainable way. Teams will use standard and cutting edge experimental techniques, including next generation DNA sequencing of the watershed bacterial communities. The readings for the course focus on ecological issues facing the Great Lakes as well as the influence of microbial communities in our everyday lives; they highlight the importance of scientific research, public policy, and personal involvement in our communities.

Credits: 1
Terms Offered: Fall