• Overview
• Curriculum
  • B.S. Curriculum
  • Suggested Schedule
• Specific Emphasis
  • Aquatic Biology
  • Fisheries Biology
  • Wetlands Biology
• Faculty
  • Dr. Donald G Cloutman, Associate Professor of Biology
  • Dr. Debbie Guelda, Associate Professor of Biology
  • Dr. Richard Koch, Assistant Professor of Biology
• Graduate Program
  • Grad Student Projects
  • School of Graduate Studies
• Facilities
  • H.T. Peters Lab
  • Hobson Memorial Forest
• Student Stories
• Upcoming Events
• Biology Homepage
• Bemidji State Homepage

Aquatic biology involves the study of physical, geological, chemical, and biological factors that influence the productivity and integrity of freshwater systems.

Aquatic biology includes the study of lentic (still) and lotic (moving) water. Students and faculty in our program are currently using knowledge gained from the study of aquatic biology to investigate topics such as:

• Telemetry to monitor fish movement • Net selectivity and by catch in a sport cisco and whitefish fishery • Benthic invertebrate populations • Cultural eutrophication (human-caused nutrient enrichment of lakes) • Wetland insects • Fish assemblages in bog streams and ditches • Effects of acid precipitation on aquatic systems • Energy and carbon flow in wetlands • Parasitology of fish and crayfish • Fish health related to watershed development • Degradation of water quality by urban storm-sewer run-off • Aquatic plant growth dynamics • Restoration of shoreline vegetation • Invasions of exotic species such as the zebra mussel and spiny water flea

Our Aquatic Biology major prepares students for careers as field or laboratory scientists with local, state, and federal agencies and also provides a solid foundation for students interested in pursuing graduate degrees in limnology, aquatic biology and fisheries biology or management. We have graduates working with the DNR, Pollution Control Agency, the USGS and currently pursuing graduate degrees at Colorado State University, Cornell, and Ball State, to name a few. Additional Aquatic Sciences Career Information is available through the American Society of Limnologists and Oceanographers, the American Fisheries Society, the Society of Wetland Scientists, and the North American Benthological Society.

Competency in aquatic biology requires a broad science background, mathematical ability, knowledge of analytical techniques, experience with data acquisition and computerized statistical analysis. In addition, aquatic biologists must be able to present findings clearly and effectively in both oral and written form. Our curriculum is designed to assure competency across these areas.

Program Features

Bemidji State University is the only institution in Minnesota to offer a four-year degree program leading a Bachelor of Science degree in Aquatic Biology.

Aquatic Biology is a special program within the Biology Department. This arrangement provides complementary breadth to the depth of training in Aquatic Biology.

The aquatic biology faculty, Drs. Cloutman, Guelda, and Koch have expertise in lake, riverine and wetland ecology studying aspects such as water chemistry, carbon dynamics, invertebrates, plankton, aquatic plants, and fish.

Our program is centered in the H.T. Peters Aquatics Laboratory, a 4000 square foot facility situated on Lake Bemidji. This facility features a classroom, water laboratory, computer room, and areas for student projects. A recent addition to the classroom area is a display aquarium honoring the late Dr. Charles S. Holt, Emeritus Professor of Aquatic Biology.

Located in the lake district of Minnesota, our close proximity to many lakes, wetlands, and rivers makes our campus an ideal place to study aquatic biology in summer and winter. Bemidji is located at the convergence of three major biomes and three major river systems allowing unique research and learning opportunities for our students. The Mississippi River begins in Lake Itasca, about sixty kilometers upstream of Lake Bemidji, and the Big Bog State Park, the largest contiguous bog in North America, is just to our north.

Hobson Memorial Forest, privately owned by BSU, is just a few miles away and a favorite place for both faculty and student research and recreation.

Fourth year students participate in individual research projects that are collaboratively designed, executed and analyzed. These are then presented to fellow students in a senior seminar or at professional meetings. Many senior research projects are submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

All students complete an internship with an agency or company that deals with water resources.

These experiences provide students with training and exposure to various sub-fields of aquatic biology and fisheries, and often lead directly to employment with these agencies. Our Aquatic Biology program is small and selective - The small size of our program assures one-on-one interactions with faculty and allows students to tailor their program to meet specific needs.

We reserve the right to periodically update information without notice.
The information on this site should not be regarded as contractural in nature.
A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
An equal opportunity educator and employer.