Vår 2024

BIO-3011 Advances in Aquaculture - 10 stp

The course is administrated by

Institutt for arktisk og marin biologi

Type of course

Master course for biology students and for students at the program Fiskeri- og havbruk. The course is available as a singular course.

Course contents

The course is an advanced course in aquaculture covering topics such as fish genetics, fish disease and interactions between farmed and wild stocks. Focus is on relevant biotechnological developments and the sustainability of aquaculture practices in Norway. Commercial applications and ecological issues pertinent to fish biotechnologies and feed management are discussed. The course is organized into theoretical and practical modules. The practical part is both field- and lab-based, and involves the delivery of activity reports.

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.

Objective of the course

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

Knowledge:

Have thorough knowledge about the principles of fish breeding with a focus on the interaction between genetics, nutrition and health.
Learn the role of gut microbiota and its importance in promoting fish health and welfare in a nutritional context.
Develop an understanding of the biological basis (molecular, cellular, physiological) controlling the reproduction, growth and condition of aquaculture species common to the Norwegian aquaculture industry.
Have understanding of the challenges facing modern aquaculture industry with reference to environmental issues, including climate change, and interactions between farmed and wild fish stocks; transfer of diseases and parasites, the impact of escaped fish, and the threats and benefits of GM fish.
Have knowledge of the general requirements needed for developing sustainable aquaculture practices, including integrated (IMTA) and recirculating aquaculture (RAS) systems.
General knowledge about RAS environment and interactions between salmon and RAS.

Skills:

Appraise the general theory, methods and techniques behind modern aquaculture practices.
Knowing the principles of feed composition and management with focus on Atlantic salmon aquaculture.
Have gained sufficient understanding of the interactions between open-ocean aquaculture and the environment to be able to point out main ecological impacts and possible mitigation measures.
Obtain practical experience (hands-on) in techniques of fish sampling and assessment of functional physiology.

General competences:

Develop critical evaluation of scientific literature and ability to compare, discuss and summarize experimental work for communication to a specialist or general audience.
Write scientific reports based upon the results of laboratory experiments and exercises.
Organize work independently and develop basic teamwork skills.

Language of instruction

English.

Examination questions will be given in English and Norwegian and may be answered either in English or a Scandinavian language.

Teaching methods

Lectures and field/laboratory activities. Safety training for laboratory work: All necessary safety training will be provided by the laboratory instructor(s) before starting each activity.