Course description

Fishes and fishing are linked throughout the history of humans. While early fishing was assuredly for survival, its modern form includes both subsistence and sport. This course will dive into the target of fishing- the most diverse vertebrate group; the fishes. Together we will explore numerous aspects about the biology of fishes including the diversity, evolution, anatomy, ecology, behavior, physiology, and conservation of the fishes of the world. Cornell is a world leading institution in the study of vertebrate biology, and has a long history of training students in the importance of specimen-based research. This is a college level course that will utilize the methods from many scientific disciplines in our approaches to studying fishes, though the only prerequisite is a strong interest in fishes.

Winter 2025: Online course