Develop an understanding of streams and wetlands within the broader context of ecology and conservation.

Become familiar with the major conservation issue in streams and wetlands and the underlying ecological concepts.

Initial exposure to the current literature.

Develop skills related to critical thinking. That is, learn how to: a) read critically and summarize information, b) draw conclusions and synthesize information to develop new questions and hypotheses, and c) design experiments or comparative studies. It is important to start early to learn how to think, read, and write critically.