Intermediate: Identification of Bacillariophyta (Diatoms)
Online Course Information
The Intermediate: Identification of Bacillariophyta (Diatoms) online course examines the common diatom genera seen in routine analytical examination. In this course, we look at freshwater, brackish and marine genera, including toxin-producing species. The challenge with diatoms is that the features used for speciation cannot be seen using routine microscopy, so only those genera with visible, unique and outstanding features can reliably be identified, and only then to their genus.Â
Approach of this Course
The identification of diatoms is not easy, especially when preserved and stained for routine examination. Many of the features required for identification are obscured or not visible under light microscopy, so identification capability is limited.
In this course, we look at some of the most common and distinguishable genera by light microscopy, based on the frustule morphology and cell features that are reliably present and readily visible.
What will I learn in this course?
The course introduces the diatoms found in fresh, brackish and estuarine environments. Many of these genera are cosmopolitan in distribution. This course is structured with taxa being organised into pennate and centric forms of the freshwater and brackish genera, and then the marine taxa are addressed separately.
The taxa within the course are all found in Australia, but have a cosmopolitan distribution, and are not an exhaustive list. Local guides and references are recommended to determine a regional assemblage.
As with all these identification courses, there is an emphasis on the development of good habits and core skills in the identification of taxa. The emphasis should always be on observing the morphological characteristics and putting them into the context of the sample and the environment it represents.
Who is it for?
This intermediate-level course is designed for analysts at all stages of their careers to build and reinforce identification skills for this group of cyanobacteria. Particularly suited to analysts and students looking for a course for ongoing professional development, or those that have undertaken the foundation-level or other intermediate-level courses in this series.
Contents
- A downloadable 100+ page textbook with descriptive entries for each taxon, relevant information, and images, as a reference and taxonomic guide.
- Approximately 80 minutes of video and written online content to complement the text.
- The access to this course and all materials via a recurring subscription.
- Unlimited learning support via platform messaging or email.
- Additional VOIP live training sessions able to be purchased separately as required, subject to availability.
Benefits
- Build confidence in observation and identification skills.
- Presented from a routine analytical perspective using diagrams and images of preserved materials.
- Self-paced learning.
- In application messaging and email learning support.
- Certificate of completion and course outline for inclusion in training records.
Course Outline
Milestone 1 - Course Instructions & Downloads
- Lesson 1: Meet your Trainer
- Lesson 2: Course Instructions & Downloads
Milestone 2 - Introduction to Bacillariophytes
- Lesson 1: Introduction to Bacillariophytes (Diatoms)
- Lesson 2: Basic Biology of Diatoms: Planes of View & Symmetry
- Lesson 3: Basic Biology of Diatoms: Frustule Structure, Features & Ornamentation
- Lesson 4: Basic Biology of Diatoms: Metabolism & Reproduction
Milestone 3 - Pennate Diatoms I
- Lesson 1: Achnanthese & Achnanthidium
- Lesson 2: Cocconeis
- Lesson 3: Eunotia
- Lesson 4: Cymbella
- Lesson 5: Gomphonema
- Lesson 6: Synedra
- Lesson 7: Fragilaria
- Lesson 8: Tabularia
- Lesson 9: Bacillaria
Milestone 4 - Pennate Diatoms II
- Lesson 1: Meridion
- Lesson 2: Rhoicosphenia
- Lesson 3: Navicula
- Lesson 4: Nitzschia
- Lesson 5: Pinnularia
- Lesson 6: Gyrosigma & Pleurosigma
- Lesson 7: Asterionella
- Lesson 8: Diatoma
- Lesson 9: Tabellaria
Milestone 5 - Centric Diatoms
- Lesson 1: Acanthoceras
- Lesson 2: Urosolenia
- Lesson 3: Cyclotella
- Lesson 4: Stephanodiscus
- Lesson 5: Coscinodiscus
- Lesson 6: Pleurosira
- Lesson 7: Aulacoseira
Milestone 6 - Marine Diatoms
- Lesson 1: Melosira
- Lesson 2: Chaetoceros
- Lesson 3: Clyindrotheca
- Lesson 4: Licmophora
- Lesson 5: Pseudo-nitzschia
- Lesson 6: Rhizosolenia
- Lesson 7: Skeletonema
- Lesson 8: Thalassiosira
- Lesson 9: Ditylum
- Lesson 10: Entomoneis
Milestone 7- Course Summary, Final Assessment & Feedback
- Lesson 1: Course Summary
- Lesson 2: Final Assessment
- Lesson 3: Course Feedback Survey
Course Fee Options:
About the fee options:
We offer two (2) payment options for individual course purchases, allowing you to choose the one that is most convenient for you. Upon signing up, payments can be made via PayPal or Credit Card. Payments are direct debited. Please also note: The course information and materials you receive within each below fee option are exactly the same.
$62.25 AUD / 3 months
Total Price: $249.00 AUD per year
After the full course fee is paid for the first year, the subscription may be cancelled anytime thereafter. The remainder of the course fee becomes immediately due if cancellation occurs within the first 12 months.
$249.00 AUD / year
Total Price: $249.00 AUD per year
Access to the course will remain active for the full 12 months of the subscription. At the end of the subscription period, options are to renew for another 12 months, change payment plan, or cancel the subscription.