Freshwater algae are extremely important ecologically in our lakes, ponds, and rivers, and yet many people know little about this very important group of organisms. This course will introduce students to the diversity and ecology of freshwater algae with an emphasis on summer “nuisance” forms in the lakes and streams of the North Kettle Moraine. Students will be introduced to sampling techniques and learn identifying characteristics using live material obtained from field collections. We will compare algal assemblages from different types of habitats as a basis for discussing algal “survival strategies”. We will also discuss the interactions and implications between eutrophication, algal nuisance blooms and the fish structure of lakes.