5 weeks: M-F 8-5; S 8-12 Fish 565 (9 credits)
Instructors: Paolo Domenici, Jacob Johansen and John Fleng Steffensen (Italy, USA & Denmark).
Fish swimming is a multidisciplinary area of research that encompasses biomechanics, physiology, ecology and behavior. Knowledge of fish swimming is relevant both for students interested in mechanisms of locomotion, and those interested in locomotor adaptations to the environment. The main subjects will be 1) the kinematics and performance of swimming in fish using various locomotory modes, 2) the ecomorphology of fish locomotion, 3) locomotor strategies, 4) metabolic aspects of fish swimming, and 5) the effect of various environmental factors on fish swimming. These topics will be treated in lectures and laboratory/field sessions. Students will learn techniques of video analysis, swimming tunnels and respirometry. The first half of the course will have an emphasis on lectures and explanations of techniques for studying fish swimming in the laboratory and in the field. In the second half of the course, emphasis will be placed on projects mainly in the laboratory but possibly also in the field. Groups with 2 - 3 students will pursue independent research projects. These will be discussed between each student and the instructors, who will also suggest a number of relevant projects. Original projects on fish locomotion, based on the student's personal background and interest, will also be considered. At the end of the course, students are expected to present the results of their independent projects orally and as a written report in the format of a scientific paper. Enrollment is limited to 15 students.
For additional information contact: paolo.domenici@cnr.it, jacoblj@hawaii.edu or jfsteffensen@bio.ku.dk
Information for applicants (including tuition and possible financial support) can be found at :
Univ. of Washington Friday Harbor Labs 2023 Courses
Univ. of Washington Friday Harbor Labs 2023 Fish Swimming Course
Link to this page: http://www.mbl.ku.dk/JFSteffensen/fhl
Link to pdf-file with announcement of the 2023 course
Link to Research Gate UW Friday Harbor Labs Fish Swimming Course project: Here you can find publications, reports and presentations at conferences that are results from the course. FHL Swim Course Alumni please join as followers so we can follow you and your career!
Example of a pile perch swimming in a Steffensen-MkI swim tunnel during a previous UW FHL Fish Swimming Course.
JFSteffensen Updated August 2023