Advances in Aquaculture

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

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.

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 and examination

English.

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

This module is open for exchange students with a bachelor degree in Biology.

Do you have questions about this module? Please check the following website to contact the course coordinator for exchange students at the faculty: https://en.uit.no/education/art?p_document_id=510412

More info about the coursework requirements

Re-sit examination