Since joining the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University, Trent has taught the following six (6) courses: FNR 351 Aquatic Sampling Techniques, FNR 371 Natural Resources Practicum, FNR 545 Fisheries Management, FNR 546 Fish Ecology, FNR 550 Fisheries Stock Assessment and Modeling, and FNR 598A Advanced Ichthyology (see course descriptions and objectives below). These courses are geared toward more effectively equipping students with the following skills critical to career success: (1) practical communication experiences; (2) critical thinking and problem-solving exercises; (3) exposure to current and historical issues; and (4) opportunities for gaining practical field and laboratory experience. In these courses, Trent has used written assignments (i.e., laboratory reports, thought questions, sampling plans, research proposals, case studies, microthemes) and oral presentations to successfully improve the communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills of students.
FNR 351 Aquatic Sampling Techniques
Course Description
An introduction to laboratory and field sampling methods in aquaculture, limnology, and fisheries biology. An emphasis will be placed on the proper care and use of laboratory equipment and field sampling gears, as well as the development of sampling protocols for collecting representative, non-biased fisheries and aquatic sciences data.
Course Objectives
1. To develop knowledge of the basic principles and techniques associated with hatchery and freshwater fish culture systems and the assessment of physical habitat, water quality, lower trophic levels, and fish populations in lentic and lotic environments.
2. To provide practical experience in aquatic resource assessment, data analysis and reporting, and decision-making as it pertains to the sampling and management of fish culture systems and aquatic ecosystems.
3. To sharpen critical thinking, written and oral communication, and professional skills relative to fisheries and aquatic science sampling considerations and issues.
FNR 371 Natural Resources Practicum
Course Description
Theory and practice of field and laboratory methods used in fisheries science, with an emphasis on sampling techniques and proper use of sampling equipment for collecting fish, invertebrate, and aquatic habitat data in North American lentic and lotic environments. Application of quantitative methodologies for the assessment of aquatic habitats, invertebrate assemblages, and fish population dynamics.
Course Objectives
1. To develop knowledge and practice of the basic sampling principles, strategies, and techniques utilized to assess aquatic organism (e.g., fish and invertebrate) populations and their respective lentic or lotic habitats in freshwater temperate environments.
2. To provide practical, hands-on experience in fishery resource sampling and assessment, data analysis and reporting, and decision-making as it pertains to fisheries science issues and scenarios in lentic and lotic freshwater environments.
3. To sharpen critical thinking, written and oral communication, and professional skills relative to fisheries science resource issues in temperate lentic and lotic environments.
FNR 545 Fisheries Management
Course Description
Theory and practice of fisheries management, with an emphasis on strategies utilized for the management of freshwater and marine fisheries. Application of quantitative methodologies for the assessment and manipulation of aquatic habitats, sport and commercial fish populations, and human resource users and non-users are considered, as is the setting of appropriate goals and objectives for effective, science-based management.
Course Objectives
1. To develop knowledge of the basic principles and strategies utilized to assess and manage aquatic habitats, recreational and commercial fish populations, and human users and non-users, particularly those within inland freshwater environments of North America.
2. To provide practical experience in fishery-resource assessment, data analysis and reporting, and decision making as it pertains to fisheries biology and management issues and scenarios.
3. To sharpen critical thinking, written and oral communication, and professional skills relative to fisheries biology and management resource issues.
FNR 546 Fish Ecology
Course Description
The relationship of fishes to the physical, chemical, and biological features of their environment in both perturbed and unperturbed aquatic ecosystems. An emphasis will be placed on fish diversity in terms of morphology, behavior, feeding, and reproductive strategies as they relate to individual and population adaptation, and community structure in both freshwater and marine environments.
Course Objectives
1. To develop an appreciation for the diversity of responses by individual fish to environmental variability and the consequences of individual adaptation for population and community persistence.
2. To provide a basic understanding of the elementary principles of fish population dynamics and response strategies to biotic and abiotic features of the environment.
3. To promote consideration of the limits of ecological adaptation in the development of alternative fisheries management strategies.
4. To hone critical thinking, written and oral communication, and professional skills as they relate to ecological theory within the context of fisheries biology and management.
FNR 550 Fisheries Stock Assessment and Modeling
Course Description
Theory and application of models and other quantitative analyses for the assessment and management of recreational, commercial, and non-game fishes. Emphasis will be placed on the estimation of basic fish population dynamics, and the development and application of models used to predict and assess fisheries management outcomes.
Course Objectives
1. To develop an understanding of population dynamic principles and modeling approaches utilized to assess sport, commercial, and non-game fish stocks.
2. To provide practical experience in fishery resource assessment, data analysis, simulation modeling, and structured decision-making as it pertains to fisheries management issues and scenarios.
3. To sharpen critical thinking, written and oral communication, and professional skills relative to quantitative assessment of fish populations in dynamic environments.
FNR 598A Advanced Ichthyology
Course Description
Anatomy, morphology, taxonomy, and natural history of fishes, with an emphasis on those species located in the Laurentian Great Lakes and Mississippi River drainage basins.
Course Objectives
1. Provide a basic understanding of the anatomical and morphological adaptations and characteristics used for the identification of freshwater fishes.
2. Develop an appreciation of the diversity and systematics of freshwater fishes.
3. Identify freshwater fishes from the Laurentian Great Lakes and Mississippi River drainage basins to the family, genus, and species levels based on taxonomic characteristics.
Dr. Sutton strongly believes that the university-learning experience should extend beyond the classroom. As a result, he has employed 34 undergraduate students from the department for field and/or laboratory research over the past six (6) years. Similarly, he also has employed 20 students from other universities, including one individual from Ecuador through the IASTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) program during summer 2003. Dr. Sutton also has instructed 14 undergraduates in special problems courses (FNR 498 Special Assignments) in topics ranging from aquatic ecology to fisheries biology. During summer 2002, he also mentored an undergraduate from Florida A&M University as part of the MARC/AIM Summer Research Program. Further, he has mentored four (4) students from Lafayette Jefferson High School since 2004, with three (3) of these students receiving scholarships through the American Fisheries Society Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program.
Since arriving at Purdue University, Dr. Sutton has maintained an open-door policy in regard to advising and providing career counseling for both undergraduate and graduate students. As a result, he is heavily utilized in the department as a source of advice and information and serves as an important liaison between the departmental Office of Student Services and the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences program. During fall 2003 and 2005, Dr. Sutton was asked to serve as a faculty mentor for the HORIZONS Student Support Program for first-generation and low-income students at Purdue University. Further, he routinely assists students with projects or activities in other departmental courses that involve fisheries or aquatic-related issues, including FNR 196 Freshman Natural Resources Seminar, FNR 331 Forest Ecosystems, FNR 408 Ecosystem Management Practice, and FNR 540 Wetland Ecology. Dr. Sutton has also given the following guest lectures in Purdue University courses: (1) The Laurentian Great Lakes ecosystem: a unique natural resource (FNR 230 The World’s Forests and Society); (2) Regulations as a fisheries management tools (FNR 365 Natural Resources Issues, Policy, and Administration); (3) Assessment of marine organisms (FNR 201 Marine Biology); and (4) Fishes of the Wabash River: imperiled fauna or diverse assemblage? (FNR 408 Ecosystem Processes). He also has shown a strong willingness to assist in student recruitment, meeting with and counseling numerous prospective undergraduate and graduate students and their families regarding the educational opportunities available within the department and the prospects for a career in fisheries and aquatic sciences following graduation.