This course will introduce students to ichthyology, the study of fishes. The goal of this course is to explore the diversity and biology of fishes from an evolutionary perspective. Topics covered include: the history of Ichthyology, phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic diversity of fishes, morphology, physiology, evolution and conservation of fishes. The laboratory portion of the course expands upon material presented in lecture, and offers hands-on experience learning about and identifying major orders, families, genera and species of fishes, with particular emphasis on species occurring in freshwater and brackish water habitats in Virginia.