School of Freshwater Sciences offers Unique Education

September 2016 Trending GLB Admin

By Jay Bouchard and Kathleen Ferraro A Unique Education At a time when aquatic invasive species and dangerous pollutants threaten the health and well-being of the Great Lakes, it is imperative that researchers understand how to protect and sustain the world’s largest freshwater system. Thankfully, the next generation of Great Lakes researchers are learning how to protect the Great Lakes at the UW Milwaukee’s School of Freshwater Sciences—the only school of its kind in the United States. Background Although many marine biology programs exist throughout the country, UW Milwaukee is the first and only university with a degree-granting program dedicated exclusively to freshwater sciences. “In years past, there was no cohesive curriculum for a student who was interested in Great Lakes sciences or fresh water,” said Val Klump, a professor and senior director of research at the School of Freshwater Sciences. To rectify this situation, the School of Freshwater Sciences was formed in 2009. It was an outgrowth out of a research institute originally founded in 1966. In 1998, that research institute was given new life and a new name, the Great Lakes Water Institute. It doubled the number of research positions and started offering some classes. A decade later, the School of Freshwater Sciences was created, and it began granting degrees in 2010. The school’s state-of-the-art research facility was built in 2014 and sits on the shores of Lake Michigan.

The School of Freshwater Sciences new facility in Milwaukee, on the shores of Lake Michigan. Photo by Troye Fox, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Although undergraduates can take classes, the school only grants master’s and Ph.D. degrees. Currently, the program has about 60 students. About half of them are “ thesis students” working on doctoral dissertations, and the other half are in the professional science master’s program, which requires students to do an internship instead of writing a thesis. Rather than picking and choosing from courses spread throughout a curriculum, Klump says, students work within the school’s core curriculum. Students take courses on freshwater systems, human impact on freshwater ecosystems, freshwater technology and engineering, and freshwater policy and economics. Some students study the distribution of pharmaceuticals and the impact they might have on the Great Lakes. Others students research dead zones in Green Bay, ground water systems in Waukesha, and the impact of bacterial contamination on swimming beaches. Others study the basic ecology of Lake Michigan and the impact of invasive species.

A student conducts underwater research on assignment at the School of Freshwater Sciences. Photo by Harvey Bootsma, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Nicklaus Neureuther is one such graduate student. Neureuther looks at the concentration of contaminants in invasive mussel species’ tissue, and uses that data to monitor water quality and contamination in the Great Lakes. A policy emphasis While students’ research interests vary widely, the school’s emphasis on policy has allowed it to have a significant voice on local and national levels. “Policy is something the university didn’t have a major stake in prior to the formation of the School of Freshwater Sciences,” Klump said. “Policy, in many respects, drives our science. Societal issues and questions constantly come up regarding how we manage this resource.” Emily Tyner, a Ph.D. student, conducts research in the policy realm. “I moved into a policy direction and am starting a project now where I’m trying to trace examples of successful Great Lakes legislation,” Tyner said. “ What were the research channels that supported the successful legislation, what were the communication channels, the lobbying, the government support—what does it take to get successful research to implement policy?” Another strong example of the school's policy emphasis can be seen in the several graduates whose are now in the nation’s capital, also working on water policy. “We have a strong presence in Washington D.C.,” said Lindsay Frost, career development manager. “ We have a big group of graduates who are working in policy, regulation, and government agencies, or are lobbying on behalf of water utilities.”

TheSchool of Freshwater Sciences Neeskay research vessel leaves the harbor. Photo by Troye Fox, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Careers Beyond policy, Frost noted that many of the school's graduates work in a variety of sectors, both locally and nationally. “ One thing that makes our program unique is that we have an employer advisory board representing government, private sector, nonprofit companies,” Frost said. “ They give us feedback on what they’re looking for in future employees, and we work that back into the curriculum.” Klump said the School of Freshwater Sciences program attracts young people because water is a precious commodity, and the future of our country, if not the world, depends on those persons who understand this most important resource. “It’s been stated that water is the next oil. We’re lucky here, we have plenty of water, but in other parts of the world—even the U.S.—it’s an enormous problem,” Klump said. “It’s hard to find something that is more important. It’s our obligation to figure out how we can keep these systems around for hundreds, thousands of years. It’s up to us.” Frost notes that employers are strongly attracted to the school’s graduates because of its focus on fresh water and its emphasis on policy. “Students who understand these really complex issues are going to be specialists within a lot of organizations,” Frost says. “ And because of that, I think we’ll have a presence in a lot different markets.” Tyner echoed Frost's comments and elaborated on the school’s diverse fieldwork opportunities. “ My advisor is fantastic, and we do a lot of fieldwork. Even though I’m doing this policy work, I’m still involved in the dive work our lab does, I’m managing a citizen science dive program,” Tyner said. “ The school’s been great for getting to do fieldwork but still being involved in other aspects besides my own research.” Neureuther agreed. “ A lot of the opportunity I’ve had is being able to work with government agencies. I get to work with the EPA, NOAA, USGS, and I’ve gotten to travel all around the Great Lakes,” Neureuther said. “ Traveling around the lakes, getting to see the different cultures around the lakes, it's interesting to see how the areas of concern are somewhat the same.” Invitation If you're ever in the Milwaukee area and looking for something to do, the School of Freshwater Sciences invites you to visit, tour the campus, and even talk to some of the students and faculty.

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School of Freshwater Sciences offers Unique Education

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