Marine Sciences

60 - 120.

Faculty of Biology

35

Course contents and aims of the Masters program:

This Masters in Aquaculture aims to train students to take up positions in the aquaculture sector or to undertake further research. The program has been devised by three universities (UPC, UAB, UB) and draws on their respective teaching and research strengths. It seeks above all to train professionals for the aquaculture sector with a high level of scientific knowledge, a mastery of multidisciplinary techniques, the capacity to assume managerial responsibilities and the ability to oversee the long-term sustainability of a company and the sector in general. To achieve this the program offers students the chance to develop the skills needed to carry out research, development and innovation in both the public and private sectors.
Aquaculture and its associated industries and services are set to experience considerable growth throughout Europe over the next few years. Postgraduates will be in demand for positions in: aquaculture production at a range of scales, the setting up of new companies, consultancy firms (in Catalonia, Spain and Europe), undertaking international projects, aquaculture-related industries including the production of fish fodder, drugs and vaccines, the transformation of fish products, marketing, the pharmaceutical industry, as well as posts in government departments at all levels and research jobs in the public and private sectors.


Specific aims:

1) To provide students with an understanding of production, sustainability and responsibility in aquaculture.
2) To provide students with an understanding of developments in nutrition, metabolism and the growth of aquaculture species, highlighting both theoretical issues and potential applications for enhanced product quality.
3) To provide students with an understanding of the factors involved in fish growth and survival at each stage of the production cycle, and of the optimum conditions for water and facilities.
4) To provide students with the tools to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases, based on a good knowledge of the immunology and pathology of fish species.
5) To provide students with a global awareness of the interaction of aquaculture and the environment, including an understanding of the potential environmental impact of aquaculture activities and the effects of the environment on animal well-being and product quality.
6) To provide students with an understanding of basic design criteria and engineering principles to set up and/or manage successfully an aquaculture system.
7) To give students an introduction to the principles underlying the technical and business management of an aquaculture company and how to market the product.
8) To provide students with an understanding of the factors involved in obtaining a high quality product through good process management, so as to be able to supply the market with the product as and when it is required.
9) To providestudents with the skills to undertake research in aquaculture in public and private research centres.

Applicants seeking admission will be assessed on their previous studies and their academic performance to date.

The Masters in Aquaculture is designed for graduates in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Marine Sciences, Geology, Food Science and Technology, Veterinary Science, Chemistry, Economics, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Agricultural Engineering and Chemical Engineering. Graduates in other subjects seeking admission will require the express permission of the Masters committee.

Specific skills
On completion of the Masters, though dependent to some degree on the optional subjects chosen, students will be able:
1. To take decisions regarding stock and larval management so as to maximize the growth potential of fish, to select the appropriate facilities and water conditions, and to plan the evolution of stocks for their subsequent commercialization.
2. To select the appropriate nutritional, feeding and handling parameters to ensure a quality product and to formulate the adequate fodder for given requirements.
3. To take decisions regarding reproduction management and reproduction strategies.
4. To evaluate and interpret the production and health parameters of cultured animals taking into consideration financial factors and the animals' well-being.
5. To ensure the animals' health and well-being giving priority to preventive rather than therapeutic strategies.
6. To detect the main symptoms of a range of diseases and to provide a diagnosis.
7. To decide on the main strategies for project planning and management in aquaculture to produce sustainable and responsible companies.
8. To make the choice among the technologies available.
9. To implement projects and viability studies to start new facilities or modify the existing ones.
10. To design a quality management plan for the company.
11. To design an environmental management plan for the aquaculture company.
12. To evaluate the implications of technical decisions for the economics of the company and for market decisions in order to be able to assess or manage aquaculture companies in a sustainable context.
13. To identify the main risk factors of aquaculture activities and to propose adequate solutions/measures.

Cross-disciplinary skills

Cross-disciplinary skills can be acquired by studying a number of specific modules in the program and, in general, through the leaning methods the student will adopt.

On completion of the Masters, students will:
1. Have good oral and written communication skills, being able to:a) use scientific terminology appropriately,b) write professional reports,c) write a range of texts for publication,d) defend their position orally.
2. Be able to analyse and summarize documents and interpret protocols. Use information sources efficiently, and select the required information with accuracy.
3. Be able to design experiments, describe results, validate them, process the data and undertake a research project.