Fish Nutrition

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The course will provide an introduction to the various feed components' nutritional impact on growth, development, reproduction, health and quality of farmed fish. This involves learning about the fish's digestive system and the various nutrients' digestion, absorption, metabolism and biochemical function. The course also covers relevant undesirable substances in feed that can be a challenge for the health and for the seafood product produced. Students will also learn about alternative resources and substances used in fish feed, and the legislation that the FSA and the industry must deal with in this area. The course builds on the basic knowledge of biology and biochemistry.

Learning Outcomes

  • Keep track of food's quantitative importance in the production of farmed fish, which feed resources you use, and the ratios between the energizing nutrient (protein, fat and carbohydrates) in commercial feeds.
  • Possess detailed knowledge of the fish's digestive system, including a deeper focus on the development of the gastrointestinal tract of marine fish larvae.
  • Show detailed knowledge of various energizing and micro (vitamins and minerals) nutrients' digestion, absorption, metabolism and biochemical function.
  • Understand how the food composition can affect health, both by lack of nutrients and through preventive nutrition.
  • Explain the components of fish feed on fish product quality, both positive (nutrients) and negative (contaminants from food and environment).
  • Have knowledge of fish reproduction and how diet affects egg and fry quality.
  • Have a basic understanding of legislation that business and government must deal with in the food area, in terms of fish quality, health and environmental impact.
  • Besides the written exam, the course will be evaluated with a term paper and an oral presentation. This will give students training in searching literature, reflect and communicate scientific material both in the written and verbal form, on a current nutrition topic.
  • ECTS Credits

    10

    Level of Study

    Master/phd

    Semester of Instruction

    Autumn.

    This course has a limited capacity, enrolment is based on application. The application deadline is Wednesday in week 33 for the autumn semester. Please see this page for more information. You will receive confirmation of whether you received a seat in Studentweb no later than Monday the week after the deadline.

    It is compulsory to attend the first lecture/orientation meeting, or you risk losing your seat. If you are unable to attend the first lecture, you must contact the Study Section (studie.bio@uib.no). The time of the first lecture/orientation meeting can be found in the schedule on the course website or on Mitt UiB.

    Place of Instruction

    Bergen
    Required Previous Knowledge
  • BIF101 Organismal Biology in Aquatic Medicine and Aquaculture (10 ECTS) / BIO101 Organismal Biology 1 (10 ECTS)
  • BIO104 Comparative Physiology (10 ECTS) / BIO291 Fish Biology II - Physiology (10 ECTS),
  • or equivalent courses in fundamental biology and physiology.

    Recommended Previous Knowledge
    BIO100 Introduction to Evolution and Ecology (10 ECTS), BIO102 Organismal Biology 2 (10 ECTS), BIO203 Introduction to Aquaculture (10 ECTS) and MOL100 Introduction to Molecular Biology (10 ECTS), or equivalent courses.
    Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
    10 ECTS overlap with MAR253 (10 ECTS, discontinued course).
    Access to the Course
    In order to be admitted to the course, you must be admitted to a study programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and fulfill required previous knowledge.
    Teaching and learning methods
    Lectures and term paper.
    Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
  • 20-25 min oral presentation on a given topic, as well as participation during all student presentations, accounts for 20% of final grade.
  • Short thematic term paper (5-6 pages), accounts for 20% of final grade.
  • Written digital exam (4 hours), accounts for 60% of final grade.
  • Approved compulsory activities are valid for 6 semesters, including the semester of completion. Compulsory activities have to be passed in order to take the exam.

    Forms of Assessment
  • Oral presentation, accounts for 20% of final grade.
  • Term paper, accounts for 20% of final grade.
  • Written digital exam (4 hours), accounts for 60% of final grade.
  • Grading Scale
    Grading scale A-F, where grade A is the highest passing grade, and grade F is a fail.
    Assessment Semester
    The written digital exam is held in both semesters. In semesters with no teaching, the exam is held early in the semester.
    Reading List
    The literature list will be available by June 1st for the autumn semester and December 1st for the spring semester.
    Course Evaluation
    Students will evaluate the course in accordance with the quality assurance system at UiB and the Department. You can find course evaluations in the Quality Assurance Reports.
    Examination Support Material
    None
    Programme Committee
    The Programme Board is responsible for the content, structure and quality of the course.
    Course Administrator
    The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences by the Department of Biological Sciences has the administrative responsibility for the course.