Vår 2024

BIO-3512 Early life of marine fish - 10 stp

The course is administrated by

Norges fiskerihøgskole

Type of course

Master course for biology students and masterstudents in fishery science - The course is available as a singular course.

Course overlap

BIO-307 Early life history of fishes 6 ects

Course contents

Initially the course gives an introduction to the reproductive patterns and gonad development of fishes, followed by a detailed description of egg and larval development, metamorphosis, larval feeding, behaviour, growth, predation and starvation; including factors affecting these processes. Fish larval ecology, factors determining recruitment and sampling methods are also focused. Examples from the various themes are given from both field and experimental situations. A laboratory course is included and both living and fixed gonads, eggs, larvae and juveniles from selected species are studied.

Admission requirements

Local admission, application code 9371 - Master`s level singular course.

Admission requires a Bachelor`s degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent qualification, with a major in biology of minimum 80 ECTS. A Bachelor's degree in Fiskeri- og havbruksvitenskap with relevant courses in the 6. semester is regarded as an equivalent qualification.

Objective of the course

A candidate who has completed his or her qualification should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge about:

Key stages in embryo- and larval development of marine fish
Different embryo- and larval developmental patterns between fish species
Different stages in male and female gonad development
Principles of, and the main endocrine factors regulating male and female gonad development
Know how environmental factors such as temperature and photoperiod influence reproductive development, egg quality, embryonic- and larval development
How to read, discuss and present scientific data

Skills: The candidate should be able to:

Evaluate and discuss influences of environmental changes of, for example, temperature and prey abundance, on egg and larval survival under aquaculture and natural conditions
Propose and discuss key stages of reproductive, embryonic and larval development which are sensitive/robust to environmental influences under aquaculture and natural conditions.
Explain and discuss causes of variable egg- and larval survival and growth in nature and culture
Undertake egg/larval sampling and identify the sampled species
Write a scientific essay based on broad knowledge of relevant literature
Understand the biology and functionality of early life history stages of fish

General competences:

Demonstrate broad insight in reproductive strategies and gonad development of marine fish
At a scientific level, be able communicate knowledge and discuss influences of environmental factors on embryonic and larval development under aquaculture and natural conditions
Independently be able to give advice about how important environmental factors will influence gonad development, embryonic development and larval survival in fish under aquaculture and natural conditions
On a general level be able to evaluate, extract and present information about early development in marine fish

Language of instruction

English

Teaching methods

The course has multiple teaching approaches.