Høst 2021

BIO-2508 Aquaculture I - 10 stp

The course is administrated by

Institutt for arktisk og marin biologi

Type of course

Theoretical subject. The course is available for students at the study program Akvamedisin, Biology, Environmental management and pollution biology, Process Technology - Engineering, and Master in International Fisheries Management. The course is also available to exchange bachelor students at a biology study program.The course is available as a singular course.

Course overlap

BIO-3557 Fisheries ecology 2 stp

Course contents

The course is an introduction to culture of aquatic organisms. Emphasis is put on species that are common to the Norwegian aquaculture industry, but aquaculture in temperate and tropical areas will also be covered. The first part deals with aquaculture production in the world, spanning from algae to fish. A general description of techniques used in marine hatchery and a description of fry production of different species will also be given. The course then focuses on the cultivation of salmonids with main emphasis on Atlantic salmon. Other key themes are fish breeding / genetics, feeding and nutrition, and diseases and parasites. The last part of the course covers aspects related to sustainable aquaculture production.

Application deadline

Applicants from Nordic countries: 1 June for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester. Concerns only admission to singular courses.

Exchange students and Fulbright students: 1 October for the spring semester and 15 April for the autumn semester.

Admission requirements

Nordic applicants: Admission requirements are ‘generell studiekompetanse + REALFA’.

Application code: 9197

All applicants: The course requires basic knowledge in aquatic biology and ecology at university level. Basic knowledge in chemistry and mathematics is an advantage.

Objective of the course

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

Knowledge:

Have a broad knowledge of aquaculture production in the world, from algae to fish.
Describe farming techniques for species that are common to the Norwegian aquaculture industry.
Have an understanding of how fish hatcheries are built-up, based on the biological and technological prerequisites of each species.
Have knowledge of basic principles of fish breeding / genetics as well as nutrition and health.
Have basic knowledge of the ecological effects of aquaculture, focusing on marine cage culture and environmentally sustainable production.

Skills:

Be able to understand the general theory, methods and techniques used for the cultivation of aquatic organisms.
Knowing the principles of nutrition, feed composition and growth in fish.
Describe the most common fish diseases and parasites and know how to deal with these.
Have an understanding of the growing aquaculture industry, and see the need and the challenges of cultivating a range of aquatic species in an environmental sustainable manner.

General competences:

Be able to acquire relevant information, exploit, and benefit from research-based knowledge in aquaculture.
Communicate and exchange views on the most central questions, challenges and different solutions in aquaculture.
Understand the role and impact that the aquaculture industry has within the food-producing sector.

Language of instruction

English

Teaching methods

Lectures and excursion. Necessary safety training will be given.

Assessment

4 hour written exam. A graded scale of five marks from A to E for pass and F for fail. Examination questions will be given in English and Norwegian and may be answered either in English or a Scandinavian language.

In order to sit an examination, the student must complete and gain approval for any coursework requirements.

Obligatory coursework requirements:

Participation to the excursion and delivery of an excursion report (Pass/Fail).

Re-sit exam

There will be a re-sit examination for this course.

Date for examination

Take-home exam hand out date 03.12.2021 hand in date 03.12.2021

The date for the exam can be changed. The final date will be announced at your faculty early in May and early in November.