Master's Programme in Aquaculture Biology

Objectives / Contents

The Master' Programme in Aquaculture Biology is a two-year programme comprising course work and a research thesis.The aim of the programme is to give students profound scientific and technical skills to study the interaction between environment and development, growth and reproduction of important farmed species. Research is usually focussed on juvenile production of salmonids and marine fish. Emphasis is on life history strategies, especially reproductive physiology and ontogeny (smoltification and metamorphosis). Students gain insight and experience in physiology, endocrinology, histology and molecular methods. Students also gain practical experience with intensive and extensive farming systems, are acquainted with Norwegian laws and regulations for fish farming, and get an overview of international aquaculture. The Master thesis is usually 60 ECTS (2 semesters) and can be either a practical research experiment or analyses of collected data series.

Admission requirements

Main intake in the autumn semester. For more information about the application procedure please see:

For international applicants residing abroad (Application deadline 1 December) http://www.uib.no/education/admission/master/international-applicants-residing-abroad

For international applicants residing in Norway (Application deadline 15 April) http://www.uib.no/education/admission/master/international-applicants-residing-in-norway

The selection of students for admission to the Master's programme in Aquaculture Biology is based on the following criteria:

* Academic degree not older than two years (exceptions can be made if the applicant has relevant work experience)

* The average grade of the Bachelor's degree must be at least 2nd class upper division/B or the equivalent as academic result

* Your Bachelor's degree must include knowledge and competence in biology corresponding to 60 ECTS (one academic year) and should be documented with course descriptions and learning outcomes for the degree

* A good command of English

Additional consideration is given to the following:

* Lab experience and practical field experience (must be documented)

* Depth and relevance of educational training

* Extent and relevance of work experience

* Connection to cooperating institutions of UiB (required for the Quota Scheme)

* The applicant's prospects for having a productive career in the special field of study

* Consideration to ensure diversity in the pool of students admitted to the programme

Number of self-financing students admitted to the master's programme: max 3 students

Applicants for the Quota Scheme, from the following universities:

Makarere University, Uganda

Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, Tanzania

Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China

University of NhaTrang, Vietnam

The Degree

The master´s programme leads to the degree Master of Science in Aquaculture Biology. It is a two year programme (120 ECTS). The average grade of the bachelor's degree must be at least 2nd class, upper division/B.

Objectives / Contents

The Master' Programme in Aquaculture Biology is a two-year programme comprising course work and a research thesis.The aim of the programme is to give students profound scientific and technical skills to study the interaction between environment and development, growth and reproduction of important farmed species. Research is usually focussed on juvenile production of salmonids and marine fish. Emphasis is on life history strategies, especially reproductive physiology and ontogeny (smoltification and metamorphosis). Students gain insight and experience in physiology, endocrinology, histology and molecular methods. Students also gain practical experience with intensive and extensive farming systems, are acquainted with Norwegian laws and regulations for fish farming, and get an overview of international aquaculture. The Master thesis is usually 60 ECTS (2 semesters) and can be either a practical research experiment or analyses of collected data series.

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes

At completion of the Masters programme in Aquaculture Biology you should:

Knowledge

• Have an understanding of the major aspects of the relationship between the environment and the development, growth, and reproduction of the main aquaculture species (eg. salmonids, marine species, bivalves)
• Have completed a research project with data analysis, data interpretation, and presentation of results
• Have an understanding of the important aspects of the life history of important aquaculture species, especially smoltification, metamorphosis, maturation, spawning, and development.
• Be able to explain and discuss the interactions between requirements for environmental quality, ethics, legal governance, and the requirements of commercial production in aquaculture facilities and field work.
• Be able to explain and discuss Norwegian laws and regulations as applied to the aquaculture industry.
• Have an understanding of the main features of the development of Norwegian aquaculture in relation to international aquaculture

Competence

• Be able to analyse growth equations and explain the major aspects of the development in marine species
• Be able to apply common aquaculture biology research methods for investigating growth, reproduction, and development
• Be able to determine the causes of variations in development and growth rate
• Be able to explain the biological basis (molecular, endrocrinological, celluar, nutrition) for the control of growth and development.
• Be able to pursue an independent research task, in accordance with proper health and safety practice, including independent data collection and analysis of biological material.
• Be accomplished in the analytical methods used in your own research task
• Be able to present a scientific conclusion based on the analysis of your own data, and in context with existing research results.

General skills

• Ability to apply and discuss biological theories in relation to the biology of aquatic organisms in cultured conditions

Admission Requirements

Main intake in the autumn semester. For more information about the application procedure please see:

For international applicants residing abroad (Application deadline 1 December) http://www.uib.no/education/admission/master/international-applicants-residing-abroad

For international applicants residing in Norway (Application deadline 15 April) http://www.uib.no/education/admission/master/international-applicants-residing-in-norway

The selection of students for admission to the Master's programme in Aquaculture Biology is based on the following criteria:

* Academic degree not older than two years (exceptions can be made if the applicant has relevant work experience)

* The average grade of the Bachelor's degree must be at least 2nd class upper division/B or the equivalent as academic result

* Your Bachelor's degree must include knowledge and competence in biology corresponding to 60 ECTS (one academic year) and should be documented with course descriptions and learning outcomes for the degree

* A good command of English

Additional consideration is given to the following:

* Lab experience and practical field experience (must be documented)

* Depth and relevance of educational training

* Extent and relevance of work experience

* Connection to cooperating institutions of UiB (required for the Quota Scheme)

* The applicant's prospects for having a productive career in the special field of study

* Consideration to ensure diversity in the pool of students admitted to the programme

Number of self-financing students admitted to the master's programme: max 3 students

Applicants for the Quota Scheme, from the following universities:

Makarere University, Uganda

Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, Tanzania

Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China

University of NhaTrang, Vietnam

Compulsory courses

The Master's programme in Aquaculture Biology comprises an independent research project (master's thesis, HAV399) of 60 ECTS, and the following required courses: BIO203 Introduction to Aquaculture, BIO205 Regulations, Management and Practical Training in Aquaculture, BIO206 Ethics and Welfare for Aquatic Organisms, BIO300 Biological Data Analysis and Research Design, and BIO304 Advanced Aquaculture. If you have taken these courses (or the equivalent) previously, you may substitute other course options within the discipline

The recommended master's study plan follows this progression:

1. s BIO300 BIO203 elective course

2. s BIO204 BIO205 Thesis work

3. s BIO304 Thesis work Thesis work

4. s Thesis work Thesis work Thesis work

s= semester

Masters thesis

The master's thesis is 60 ECTS

Teaching methods

The study programme is implemented under the supervision of the academic supervisor, who will advise on the formulation and appraisal of the subject and issues for the thesis, literature, academic content, tasks and schedule.